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The Global History of the British Cup of Tea

There is nothing more British than a cup of tea. Tea is our national drink and our national obsession. Yet the history of tea is the ultimate global story. It links over 350 years of British history to the histories of China, India, the Caribbean, and the United States. It encompasses the Boston Tea Party, the Opium Wars, and the history of the British East India Company. It is a story that involves industrial espionage and a vast forgotten migration within India, and the creation in Britain of a whole new world of domestic traditions and even new consumer household goods.

In this brand-new talk for 2026, David Olusoga uses art and photography, history and humour to uncover the strange and unexpected history of our national drink.

David Olusoga is the author or co-author of eight books, including three editions of Black & British: A Forgotten History, which was awarded the National Book Award, the Longman-History Today Trustees Award, and the PEN Hessell-Tiltman Prize. His other books include A House Through Time, The World’s War, Civilisations and The Kaiser’s Holocaust.

David's recent television programs include Empire with David Olusoga, Union with David Olusoga. He also writes and presents the long-running BBC history series A House Through Time - expect a New Series in April `26.

David Olusoga’s books will be available on the evening and David will be signing after his talk + Q&A.

7.30pm (doors 6.45)