In conversation with the authors of ‘Empire of Tea’

As part of Craft Week 2026, we were delighted to host a special in-conversation event at the Bank of England Museumwith Richard Coulton and Matthew Mauger, co-authors of Empire of Tea: The Asian Leaf that Conquered the World.

Led by our curator, Grace Benham, the discussion traced tea’s remarkable journey from its origins in Asia to its rise as one of Britain’s defining cultural rituals. Together, they explored how tea transformed daily life in Britain, shaping everything from trade and consumer culture to social customs and domestic interiors.

The conversation examined the evolution of the English tea table, the objects and etiquette associated with tea drinking, and the experience of purchasing tea in Britain during the height of the tea trade. Drawing on the research behind Empire of Tea, the speakers also reflected on the global networks of commerce, empire and craftsmanship that helped establish tea as a staple of British life.

Watch the full talk on our YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O54FSKNELpA&t=4s