Shadows of Empire: A Cup of Tea
Opium was outlawed in the UK in 1920, except for ‘legitimate’ medical use. But the smuggling model pioneered by British traders like the Dent family continues to be used.
Now, as in the 19th century, the motive behind drug smuggling is profit. Coercion, corruption and violence are used today just as they were used by British colonial powers nearly two hundred years ago. And the social consequences of addiction – increased crime, health issues and families torn apart – remain the same.
Tea is now cheap and easily available. Like Lady Ellen Thomas-Stanford, we often enjoy our cuppas without thinking of the price paid by others so we can enjoy our favourite hot drink. While conditions on some plantations are improving, this cannot be said for all.
The tea we served in Preston Manor’s Victorian Kitchen at the end of the tour was provided by Tea People, a social enterprise set up to eliminate poverty in tea-growing regions. Their high-quality tea can be ordered online.
For more information about enjoying an ethical cuppa visit the Tea Leaf Trust. The Tea Leaf Trust works to lift Sri Lankan tea estate communities out of extreme poverty. You can support their work online.
