Is trouble brewing for the worldwide tea industry?

The BBC World Service's "The Inquiry" podcast episode, hosted by Tanya Beckett, explores the challenges facing the worldwide tea industry. Featuring insights from Katharine Burnett of the Global Tea Institute, Christina Larrea from the International Institute for Sustainable Development, Harki Sidhu of the Rainforest Alliance, and Liberal Seburikoko from the Ethical Tea Partnership, the episode delves into tea's history, production, and the impact of climate change. While consumer demand for tea, including trendy matcha, is rising, erratic weather patterns, labor issues, and geopolitical tensions threaten tea yields and prices. The podcast highlights the need for greater connection between consumers and tea farmers, especially as climate change redraws the global tea map and necessitates innovative solutions like drone technology and improved meteorological information for farmers.