Uncover the fascinating true story of Robert Fortune, the Scottish gardener, botanist, and industrial spy who undertook a daring mission for the East India Company. This gripping narrative details his clandestine journey into forbidden Chinese territory to steal the secrets of tea cultivation, a commodity that fueled the British Empire. Discover the intricate history of the tea trade, the opium wars, and the quest to establish tea plantations in the Himalayas. A must-read for history buffs and tea enthusiasts alike. Robert Fortune was tasked with obtaining tea plants for British India, as China had held a centuries-long monopoly on tea production. The East India Company, facing financial ruin, desperately needed to establish its own plantations, but lacked the crucial tea plants and the knowledge to cultivate them. Fortune's mission was to infiltrate the heart of China's tea-growing regions and bring back the secrets of the finest oolongs, soochongs, and pekoes, despite the Emperor's strict prohibitions. This paperback edition, written by Sarah Rose, offers a captivating look into espionage, empire, and the global pursuit of the world's favourite drink.