Abstract: The issue of counterfeit tea had a protracted history in ancient China and proliferated in Europe due to the development of Sino-Western tea trade during the modern era. As a primary consumer of tea, Britain inevitably encountered challenges related to adulteration and fabrication practices, which the British themselves were also involved in. This was a common occurrence within the backdrop of the country's unfavorable food safety conditions at that time. However, as the British government intensified its efforts to combat food adulteration, and with the swift expansion of tea cultivation and production in India, the issue of Chinese counterfeit tea was brought to the forefront. This narrative essentially equated Chinese tea with counterfeits, contributing significantly to its decline in Britain. In essence, counterfeit tea in British imports was not only a reality but was also strategically utilized as a means of stigmatization in certain contexts. This action revealed a concealed intention to suppress Chinese tea in the face of the rising Indian tea industry.

Keywords: Counterfeit tea, Sino-British Tea Trade, Indian Tea Industry, Sino-Indian Tea Competition, Stigmatization.

Published on Academics, Issue 7, 2024