David Olusoga: The Global History Of The British Cup Of Tea

In this brand-new talk, David Olusoga uses art and photography, history and humour to uncover the strange and unexpected history of our national drink, adding this subject to his previous ever-popular Missing History talks.

Using art, photography, history and humour, he uncovers the remarkable global story behind tea, linking over 350 years of British history with China, India, the Caribbean and the United States.

From the Boston Tea Party and the Opium Wars to the British East India Company, industrial espionage and the creation of Britain's tea-drinking traditions, this fascinating talk reveals how a simple cup of tea connects some of the most significant events in world history.

David Olusoga has become a household name over the years, more recently interviewing president Barack Obama whilst also reaching the finals of the BBC hit TV series, ‘Celebrity Traitors’, David is has been back on BBC 2 with his brand-new series of ‘Empire’, with a new series of ‘A House Through Time’ scheduled for the Spring.

A Q&A plus book signing will follow the presentation, offering a chance to meet one of the UK’s foremost public historians. Books will be available to purchase at the event. 

Discover More from David Olusoga

If you'd like to learn more about David Olusoga before attending this event, we recommend exploring some of his acclaimed television work.

His recent BBC series, Finding Britain's Slave Traders, showcases the thought-provoking storytelling and rigorous research that have made him one of the UK's most respected public historians. Examining hidden stories from Britain's past, the series offers a compelling introduction to David's engaging approach to history and its relevance today.

Find out more and watch via the BBC:
https://www.bbc.com/mediacentre/2026/new-bbc-series-finding-britains-slave-traders-with-david-olusoga