Tea: a Stimulant That Made the Modern World
The best of herbs!
In the early modern period, the twin forces of global trade and colonialism introduced people around the world to foods, medicines, and diseases that had previously been confined to a certain region. One category of items seems to have been especially important: stimulants.
What fueled the feverish intellectual and commercial activity of the age? Certainly, the new availability of substances that provide an energy boost — from sugar to cocaine — played a role. For the next few weeks, we’re going to be looking at the stimulants that made the modern world. First up — tea!
This post was first published in 2024, but I’ll be back with new entries in the series next Sunday. Subscribe so you don’t miss it! And if you want access to the archives, members-only posts, and the warm feeling of supporting something you enjoy, sign up as a paid member:
