99% Invisible The Fever Tree Hunt
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Oct 31, 2023 
Mark Fennell, a writer and host of Stuff the British Stole, joins Kavita Philip, a malaria expert, to uncover the fascinating heist for the cinchona tree, the source of quinine. They explore how colonialism drove the British, Dutch, and French to seek these trees amid a malaria crisis. The discussion blends humor with critical insights on cultural appropriation and the unintended legacies of this botanical quest. Listeners will also discover how gin and tonic evolved from medicinal use to a symbol of colonial ties.
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Malaria's Impact
- Malaria posed a significant threat to European colonists, particularly in India.
- Quinine, derived from cinchona bark, emerged as a key defense against the disease.
Kew Gardens' Role
- Kew Gardens became a strategic asset for the British Empire, collecting plants for scientific and economic gain.
- The British sought cinchona seeds, leading to a race between empires.
Honigsbaum's Encounter
- Mark Honigsbaum, a medical historian, learned about cinchona from a Swiss botanist in Zurich.
- This encounter sparked his interest in the plant's history and its connection to global empires.