The Fever Tree Hunt
Jul 25, 2023•30 min•Ep. 19
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Summary
Explore the harrowing history of cinchona, the Peruvian "fever tree" whose bark yielded life-saving quinine, essential for combating malaria during the peak of European colonialism. The episode details how the British and Dutch empires engaged in a desperate and often unethical race to acquire cinchona seeds, viewing it as both a humanitarian effort and an act of botanical piracy. It also traces the tree's legacy from a crucial medicine to the key ingredient in the iconic gin and tonic, highlighting the overlooked contributions and tragic fates of indigenous knowledge holders.Episode description
Most heists target gold, jewels or cash. This one targeted illegal seeds.
As the British established their sprawling empire across the subcontinent and beyond, they encountered a formidable adversary — malaria.
There was a cure — the bark of the Andean cinchona tree. The only problem? The Dutch and the French were also looking to corner the market in cinchona. And the trees themselves were under threat.
Grab a gin and tonic and come with us to hear how a botanical empire took off — and gave birth to a quintessential cocktail.
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