Made in Ancient China

Thanks to the dedication across generations, races and continents, tea – a humble leafy plant, managed to travel across lands and oceans and become the essence of a shared ritual around the world. From ancient caravans to royal courts, from the misty mountains of Yunnan to the bustling ports of London, this is the story of how tea conquered the globe - one sip at a time. Special thanks to Le Suna, Deputy Director and Research Curator of China National Tea Museum, whose expertise in the history of tea has greatly enriched this episode.

Tea is the most consumed beverage on Earth after water, and it has been loved for centuries. But tea is more than just a pleasant drink. It has served as medicine, inspired rituals, philosophy, and poetry. It sparked trade routes, shaped empires… even stirred up revolutions. So how did tea travel beyond its origin in the ancient time and grow into something so significant? Special thanks to Le Suna, Deputy Director and Research Curator of China National Tea Museum, whose expertise in the history of tea has greatly enriched this episode.

Silk began as a humble thread in ancient China, but soon became a global obsession. We share in this episode how this delicate fabric journeyed across continents, formed one of the world’s most important trade routes and stitched together civilizations along the way.

Rice goes far beyond the dinner table. Apart from being comfort food for many, it has shaped cultures, rituals and celebrations, connecting communities with pride and joy across the world. Let’s explore the diverse facets of rice in this episode.

For centuries, papermaking has reshaped how human beings think, believe, create and live. While we depend on paper every single day, we rarely stop to wonder – how and where did it all begin?

Tea has never been just a beverage, but power, profit, and politics brewed in a porcelain cup. In this episode, we dive into the more dramatic side of tea: how it fueled empires, sparked conflicts and even wars. From calm teahouses to stormy harbors, from poetry to protest - this is the story of how one gentle leaf managed to stir the world like no diplomat ever could. Special thanks to Le Suna, Deputy Director and Research Curator of China National Tea Museum, whose expertise in the history of tea has greatly enriched this episode.