A Journey to the Tea Countries of China

by Robert Fortune

This Elibron Classics book is a facsimile reprint of a 1852 edition by John Murray, London.

Genres: Travel, China, History, Nonfiction, Tea

425 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

1813-1880

Reviews

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a primary source from 1852--a Scottish botanist encountering Chinese garden practice and plants--this is first rate. The politics behind it are difficult to comes to terms with, though. Fortune was in China intermittently for more than 9 years mostly in the capacity to steal native Chinese tea plants, tea processing information, and tea growing experts and export them to to British-controlled India, where tea would be propagated for the empire in quality and quantities never before known.

Fortune's descriptions of flowers and gardens and Chinese customs are useful, but beware the imperialist gaze!

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Robert Fortune's account of his time in China acquiring tea plants to send to India using Wardian cases (terrariums) and providing a unique perspective as a traveler disguised as an official in a time when foreigners movement in China was limited. Can sometimes be confusing to keep up with names as things have changed over time and there is a possibility that Fortune exaggerated some of his adventures. Still, a valuable resource for those interested in the history of tea's spread beyond China, British colonialism and trade, and British-Chinese cultural economic exchange. May aid in understanding some of the attitudes held by the British at the time and their understanding of Asia.

[Rowena C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining and interesting read for gardeners and plant lovers in general. The undertaking of procuring tea seeds/plants by botanist Robert Fortune in the mid-1800's was full of eye-opening information on the growing, harvesting, and manufacture of tea. At times it did feel a bit monotonous with the continuous collection of tea plants, but the enchanting descriptions of out-of-the-way places and a few hilarious moments with the locals happily breaks the mood.