How the global tea industry influenced the international economy and the rise of mass consumerism Tea has been one of the most popular commodities in the world. Over centuries, profits from its growth and sales funded wars and fueled colonization, and its cultivation brought about massive changes--in land use, labor systems, market practices, and
"A Thirst for Empire stands out as one of the best, serving as a poignant reminder of how important the genre can be to our understanding of cultures and economies."---Troy Bickham, Journal of British Studies