Behind the Aroma Podcast Notes for Season 02 Episode 06: Spices

 

Bibliography

Adekunle B. International Economics lecture notes, Global Management Studies, Toronto Metropolitan University.

 

Adekunle, B., & Kajumba, C. (2021). Social media and Economic Development: The role of Instagram in developing countries. In Advances in theory and practice of emerging markets (pp. 85–99). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-70538-1_6

 

Alonso, G. L., Zalacaın, A., & Carmona, M. (2012). Saffron. In Handbook of Herbs and Spices (2nd ed., Vol. 1, pp. 469–498). Woodhead Publishing Series in Food Science, Technology and Nutrition. https://doi.org/10.1533/9780857095671.469

Avalle, A. (2022, November 13). What is nutmeg, and how do I cook with it? Bon Appétit. https://www.bonappetit.com/story/what-is-nutmeg#:~:text=According%20to%20Frisch%2C%20harvesting%20mace,sizable%20seed%20that%20it%20surrounds

 

Billing, J., & Sherman, P. W. (1998). Antimicrobial Functions of Spices: Why Some Like it Hot. The Quarterly Review of Biology, 73(1), 3–49. https://doi.org/10.1086/420058

Boroja, T., Katanić, J., Rosić, G., Selaković, D., Joksimović, J., Mišić, D., Stanković, V., Jovičić, N., & Mihailović, V. (2018). Summer savory (Satureja hortensis L.) extract: Phytochemical profile and modulation of cisplatin-induced liver, renal and testicular toxicity. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 118, 252–263. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fct.2018.05.001

Burlap & Barrel. (n.d.). Grains of Paradise. Burlap & Barrel. https://www.burlapandbarrel.com/products/grains-of-paradise

Business Insider India. (2021, October 6). Why Ceylon Cinnamon Is So Expensive | So Expensive [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzOcZlmeaH0

Cartwright, M. (2021, June 9). The Spice Trade & the Age of Exploration. World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved January 16, 2024, from https://www.worldhistory.org/article/1777/the-spice-trade--the-age-of-exploration/

 

Decann, L. (2023, March 28). Unlocking the Secrets of Mace Spice: a comprehensive guide to history, benefits, and uses. Spicy Organic. https://spicyorganic.com/blogs/news/unlocking-the-secrets-of-mace-spice-a-comprehensive-guide-to-history-benefits-and-uses

 

Dewasiri, N.R., Wagenaar, L.J., Uyangoda, J. (2020). Historical, Ethno-Botanical and Social Aspects of Cinnamon Cultivation in Sri Lanka. In: Senaratne, R., Pathirana, R. (eds) Cinnamon. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-54426-3_2

 

Filippone, P. T. (2022, April 18). Nutmeg and Mace History. The Spruce Eats. https://www.thespruceeats.com/nutmeg-and-mace-history-1807632

 

Freedman, P. (2009). Out of the East: spices and the medieval imagination. Choice Reviews Online, 46(07), 46–4067. https://doi.org/10.5860/choice.46-4067

 

Haas, B. (2020, May 18). What is Mace Spice? The Spice House. https://www.thespicehouse.com/blogs/news/what-is-mace

 

Hancock, J. F. (2022). World Agriculture Before and After 1492: Legacy of the Columbian Exchange. Springer Nature.

 

Heikenfeld, R. (2020). Herbes De Provence Honey Recipe. Countryside & Small Stock Journal, 29.

 

How Did Nutmeg Cause Wars In Indonesia? (K. Humble [Absolute History], Interviewer). (2020, June 5). [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/bovUA3haHgk?feature=shared

 

Ilić, N., Schmidt, B. F., Poulev, A., & Raskin, I. (2010). Toxicological evaluation of Grains of Paradise (Aframomum melegueta) [Roscoe] K. Schum. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 127(2), 352–356. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2009.10.031

 

Loizzo, M. R., Di Lecce, G., Boselli, E., Bonesi, M., Menichini, F., Menichini, F., & Frega, N. G. (n.d.). In vitroantioxidant and hypoglycemic activities of Ethiopian spice blend Berbere. International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition, 62(7), 740–749. https://doi.org/10.3109/09637486.2011.573470

 

MACE: Overview, uses, side effects, precautions, interactions, dosing and reviews. (n.d.). https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-1530/mace

 

Nunn, N. (2021). History as Evolution. In A. Bisin & G. Federico (Eds.), The Handbook of Historical Economics (pp. 41–91). Academic Press. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-815874-6.00010-1

 

Nunn, N., & Qian, N. (2010). The Columbian Exchange: A History of Disease, food, and ideas. Journal of Economic Perspectives, 24(2), 163–188. https://doi.org/10.1257/jep.24.2.163

 

Nutmeg, mace and cardamons (HS: Nutmeg,) Product Trade, Exporters and Importers | The Observatory of Economic Complexity. (n.d.). The Observatory of Economic Complexity. https://oec.world/en/profile/hs/nutmeg-mace-and-cardamons

 

Rai, R. (2000). Curry, curry, curry. Penguin UK.

Rare Seeds. (n.d.). Berbere Paste. Rare Seeds. https://www.rareseeds.com/ethiopia-berbere

Rema, J., & Krishnamoorthy, B. (2012). Nutmeg and mace. In Handbook of Herbs and Spices (2nd ed., Vol. 1, pp. 399–416). Woodhead Publishing Series in Food Science, Technology and Nutrition. https://doi.org/10.1533/9780857095671.399

Salloum, H. (2011, July). Exotic spices of history and romance. Countryside & Small Stock Journal, 95(4), 83-85.

 

Senaratne, R., & Pathirana, R. (2021). Cinnamon: Botany, Agronomy, Chemistry and Industrial Applications. Springer Nature.

 

Simion, T. (2018). Kosso (Hagenia abyssinica (Bruce) J.F.Gmel.) Genetic Resource. Agricultural Research & Technology, 16(3). https://doi.org/10.19080/artoaj.2018.16.555987

 

Spice Advice. (2020, October 28). Mace. https://spiceadvice.com/encyclopedia/mace/#:~:text=Mace%20is%20indigenous%20to%20the,by%20the%20Dutch%20in%201602

 

Spices; mace exports by country |2021. (n.d.). https://wits.worldbank.org/trade/comtrade/en/country/ALL/year/2021/tradeflow/Exports/partner/WLD/product/090820

 

The Economist. (2023, November). How to stop Turmeric from killing people. The Economist. https://www.economist.com/leaders/2023/11/02/how-to-stop-turmeric-from-killing-people

 

Tilda. (2022, April 25). A guide to Mace. https://www.tilda.com/blog/ingredient-guide/a-guide-to-mace/

 

Van Der Veen, M., & Morales, J. (2015). The Roman and Islamic spice trade: New archaeological evidence. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 167, 54–63. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2014.09.036

 

Vasavada, M. N., Dwivedi, S., & Cornforth, D. P. (2006). Evaluation of garam masala spices and phosphates as antioxidants in cooked ground beef. Journal of Food Science, 71(5). https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1750-3841.2006.00039.x

What Is This The Most Expensive Spice In The World? (K. Humble [Absolute History], Interviewer). (2020, June). [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJxsY5g2g7Q

Where Pepper & Cinnamon Came From (K. Humble [Absolute History], Interviewer). (2020, May 29). [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eizn25JZTSA

Yalew, A. W. (n.d.). The Ethiopian energy sector and its implications for the SDGs and modeling. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Transition. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rset.2022.100018

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Cup of Excellence: The Journey of the Perfect Sip

 

Assortment of Single Origin Coffees (Planet Bean, Guelph)

 

I would not call myself a coffee fanatic, yet it has become a regular part of my routine ever since I began working on my research paper. Gradually, coffee transitioned from a simple morning ritual to an energy companion in my quest for catching ideas and focus. It became the backdrop against which my ideas grew, offering clarity and inspiration amidst the chaos of thoughts.

 

My journey with coffee was mostly manifested by the convenience of instant varieties until one of my mentors introduced me to the intricate world of single-origin coffees. The term "Single-origin coffee" was new to me, which refers to coffee sourced exclusively from a single location, as opposed to blends from various places. This was my first experience trying two distinct coffees from different regions: Las Numbes from Costa Rica and Ethiopian Yirgacheffe from Ethiopia. The Ethiopian Yirgacheffe coffee seemed somewhat intense flavor profile, with nutty, bitter, and astringent notes, in contrast to the Las Numbes coffee. This experience allowed me to taste the unique flavors and qualities inherent to these specific coffee sources.

 

Ethiopian Dark Sidamo: Served in a Mug

In a world where digital connectivity flourishes yet personal bonds often wither, a simple invitation to "Let's get coffee” shines as a ray of hope. It offers an entrance into the tapestry of dialogue, a call to forge real connections over cups filled with warmth. The reason for visiting a coffee shop extends beyond just drinking coffee or savoring its taste. It encompasses a range of intangible elements like the environment, quality of service, a space for relaxation or de-stressing, a setting favorable to work, business dealings, and social meetings. These aspects collectively contribute to the coffee shop experience. An intriguing aspect that I have noticed that enhances the coffee experience is the importance of presentation and the choice of serving cups or mugs. The shape, color, and size of these pots vary to complement the specific variety of coffee being served, adding an extra dimension to the overall coffee delight.

 

The art of preparing specialty coffee is a tribute to the detailed and intense process of creating the ultimate brew.  The practice, which I refer to as "Coffee Craft," embodies more than just the act of making coffee, transforming beans into a delightful experience. This process encompasses everything from harvesting and drying to the final roasting stage. When the coffee beans are harvested, dried, and prepared for roasting, they possess a greenish-olive color like that of a pumpkin seed. At the packaging level or in cafes, coffees are often categorized by their roast levels: "light," "medium," or "dark." These classifications go beyond just the visual aspect of the brewed coffee. They indicate the duration of the coffee beans spent inside the hot roaster. The more time beans spend in the roaster, the darker they become, this process is referred to as caramelization, which profoundly influences the flavor profile. Initially, 20 grams of medium-roasted coffee beans for each variety are ground. Then, hot water is poured over the coffee grounds. The coffee is then extracted through a filter. An interesting phenomenon occurs when hot water first contacts the coffee grounds in the filter, resulting in a "Bloom." This Bloom is caused by the release of carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the coffee grounds. Properly extracted coffee boasts a rich and aromatic taste.

 

Coffee Bloom 

 

I truly enjoyed this coffee exploration journey. It was such an enlightening experience for me. The concept of Third Wave Coffee has the potential to significantly influence the supply chain, benefiting both the coffee farmers and retailers. The act of consuming coffee could leave a profound impact on creating value for the farmers involved. This insight made me think that buying coffee is beyond merely enjoying a brew. This shift in outlook has led me to view consuming coffee as a chance to make a positive impact on the lives of those who bring it to our cups.

 

Mahbuba Airin

Graduate Student, CDE | ECVOntario

SEDRD, University of Guelph

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Behind the Aroma Podcast Notes for Season 02 Episode 05: Smuggling of Foods

 

Bibliography:
 
Adekunle B (np).  1999 – 2018 documentation by Bamidele Adekunle.
 
Adekunle, B. (2010). The joint border post at ECOWAS borders. Nigerian Tribune.
 
Adekunle, B. (2010). Towards securing ECOWAS borders. This Day; All Africa.com West Africa: Towards Securing Ecowas Borders - allAfrica.com
 
Adekunle, B and Filson G. (2015). What African countries must do to boost trade among themselves. The conversation. What African countries must do to boost trade among themselves (theconversation.com)
 
Alawode, B. (2020, September 23). How to Pack for your trip to Canada- Food you can and can’t bring into Canada from Africa (2022). Mychopchop. https://www.mychopchop.ca/blogs/my-recipes-tips/how-to-pack-for-your-trip-to-canada-food-you-can-and-can-t-bring-into-canada-from-africa
 
Arise News – Customs Boss Warns Against Smuggling- Bashir Adeniyi. Customs Boss Warns Against Smuggling - Bashir Adeniyi - YouTube
 
Banks (2005) cited under British Illicit Trade with Spanish America
 
Baumol. J. W., (1990). Entrepreneurship: Productive, Unproductive, and Destructive. Journal of Political Economy, Vol. 98, No. 5, Part 1 (Oct. 1990), pp. 893-921. Accessed: 07/01/2012 17:02
 
Blakemore, E. (May 9, 2023). America’s First Multimillionaire Got Rich Smuggling Opium. America’s First Multimillionaire Got Rich Smuggling Opium | HISTORY
 
Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2023, September 15). opium trade. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/money/topic/opium-trade

Burgis, T. (2015). The Looting Machine: Warlords, Oligarchs, Corporations, Smugglers, and the Theft of Africa's Wealth. United Kingdom: Public Affairs.
 
Chatterton, E. Keble (Edward Keble), 1878-1944. (1912). King's cutters and smugglers 1700-1855 / by E. Keble Chatterton. London : George Allen
 
Eugene R.H. Tesdahl (Nov. 21, 2017) - Smuggling, the American Revolution, and the Riverine Highway. Smuggling, the American Revolution, and the Riverine Highway - Omohundro Institute of Early American History & Culture (wm.edu)

Gallien M., (2020). “Informal Institutions and the Regulation of Smuggling in North Africa”. Perspectives on Politics, 492-508, 18(2)  https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/perspectives-on-politics/article/informal-institutions-and-the-regulation-of-smuggling-in-north-africa/531F344957F020D2167C990EBAE876A6
 
Government of Canada, Canadian Food Inspection Agency. (2023, October 24). Bringing food into Canada for personal use. https://inspection.canada.ca/food-safety-for-consumers/bringing-food-into-canada-for-personal-use/eng/1389630031549/1389630282362
 
Hanna G. M. (2013) Smuggling - Atlantic History - Oxford Bibliographies
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Holpuch, A. (2023, January 25). The Newest Contraband at the Mexican Border: Eggs. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/25/us/egg-smuggling-mexico.html
 
Janssen, Stephen T. Smuggling laid open in all its Extensive and Destructive Branches. 2nd ed. W. Owen and W. Nicoll, 1767.
 
Jones, E.T. (2001). 'Illicit business: accounting for smuggling in mid-sixteenth century Bristol'. Economic History Review, 54 (2001); E. T. Jones, Inside the Illicit Economy: Reconstructing the Smugglers’ Trade of Sixteenth Century Bristol (Ashgate, June 2012).
 
Kirzner, I. M., (1997). Entrepreneurial Discovery and the Competitive Market Process: An Austrian Approach. Journal of Economic Literature, Vol. 35, Issue 1 (Mar, 1997) pp 60 – 85.
 
Koot, J. C. (2016). Smuggling in Early America. Oxford Research Encyclopedia of American History, January 2016. Retrieved 8 Sep. 2023, from https://oxfordre.com/americanhistory/view/10.1093/acrefore/9780199329175.001.0001/acrefore-9780199329175-e-263.
 
Lantican, T. & Ani, P. (2022). “The Philippine fight against agricultural smuggling: review of government Policies and Initiatives”. Food and Fertilizer Technology Center for the Asian and Pacific Region.https://ap.fftc.org.tw/article/1867

Limited, B. P. P. C. (n.d.). Pork smuggling into Thailand soars. Bangkok Post. Retrieved September 27, 2023, from https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2612357/pork-smuggling-into-thailand-soars

Mielants, E. (2002). Europe and China compared. Review - Fernand Braudel Center for the Study of Economies, Historical Systems, and Civilizations, 25(4), 401-449.

Otuh, P. I., Ogunro, B., & Etim, E. (2013). Formaldehyde Levels in Imported Frozen Poultry Meat in Ibadan, Nigeria: Its Public Health Implications. 

Rosenberger, Bree (2020). "The British Smuggling Dilemma: 1698-1784," International ResearchScape Journal: Vol. 7, Article 5. DOI: https://doi.org/10.25035/irj.07.01.05 Available at: https://scholarworks.bgsu.edu/irj/vol7/iss1/5

Youngman, A. (1908). The Fortune of John Jacob Astor. Journal of Political Economy, 16(6), 345–368. http://www.jstor.org/stable/1820664

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Behind the Aroma Podcast Notes for Season 02 Episode 04: Technology and Food

 

Bibliography:

 

Adekunle, B. (2018a, June 7). Digital payment, ethnocultural food and alternative agriculture. https://evcontario2011.blogspot.com/2018/06/digital-payment-ethnocultural-food-and.html

Adekunle, B. (2018, July 7). Autonomous vehicles and Agri-Food value chain. https://evcontario2011.blogspot.com/2018/07/autonomous-vehicles-and-agri-food-value.html

Adekunle, B. (2019, June 23). The logic. ECVOntario. https://evcontario2011.blogspot.com/2019/06/the-logic.html

Adekunle, & Kajumba. (2020). The Nexus between Instagram and Digital Entrepreneurship. Journal of African Development, 21(1), 14–40. https://doi.org/10.5325/jafrideve.21.1.0014

“A top the Baobab Tree.” The-Cook-A-Long, Patrick Seleka, Jr.; Wesley Masilo Makgamatha; season 01, episode 01, N.A., 2022. Netflix, https://www.netflix.com/title/81651694

Chou, G. (2023, April 5). China’s race to become global AI superpower. Le Monde Diplomatique. https://mondediplo.com/2023/04/05china-ai#:~:text=China%20wants%20to%20be%20world,it%20won't%20be%20easy.

Clark, A., & Chalmers, D. (1998). The Extended Mind. Analysis, 58(1), 7–19. http://www.jstor.org/stable/3328150

CP24. (2023, July 2). Canada considering eliminating ‘best-before dates’ [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-FD6AN-w8Q

Cumming, C. (2018, October 3). Zaï/Tassa irrigation method. Tandem. https://cutandem.wordpress.com/2018/10/03/zai-tassa-irrigation-method/

Firstpost. (2023, May 16). Food Expiry Dates Are Not What You Think | Vantage with Palki Sharma [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9Pj2iNi6mY

Gilder, G. (2018). Life after Google: The Fall of Big Data and the Rise of the Blockchain Economy. Simon and Schuster.

Gilder, G. F., Rukeyser, W. A., & Kiser, A. L. (1990). Life After Television: The coming transformation of media and American life. https://openlibrary.org/books/OL1894062M/Life_after_television

Harari, Y. N. (2014). Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind. Random House.

Korzun, M., Adekunle, B., & Filson, G. C. (2014). Innovation and agricultural exports: the case of sub-Saharan Africa. African Journal of Science, Technology, Innovation and Development. https://doi.org/10.1080/20421338.2014.976970

Lansing, J. S. (2009). Priests and programmers: technologies of power in the engineered landscape of Bali. Princeton University Press.

Leib, E. B., Rice, C., Neff, R., Spiker, M., Schklair, A., & Greenberg, S. (2016). Consumer perceptions of date labels: National survey. safety, 23(54), 19.

Odularu, & Adekunle. (2020). Understanding digitalization in the African context. Journal of African Development, 21(1), 1. https://doi.org/10.5325/jafrideve.21.1.0001

TED. (2016, September 16). How the blockchain is changing money and business | Don Tapscott [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pl8OlkkwRpc

TED. (2017, October 31). How Africa can use its traditional knowledge to make progress | Chika Ezeanya-Esiobu [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28sa2zGgmwE

TED-Ed. (2023, June 6). Food expiration dates don’t mean what you think - Carolyn Beans [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDg8DQl7ZeQ

The Economist. (2015, October 29). The great chain of being sure about things. The Economist. https://www.economist.com/briefing/2015/10/31/the-great-chain-of-being-sure-about-things

The Economist. (2023a, March 23). How TikTok broke social media. The Economist. https://www.economist.com/business/2023/03/21/how-tiktok-broke-social-media

The Economist. (2023b, April 24). ChatGPT could replace telemarketers, teachers and traders. The Economist. https://www.economist.com/graphic-detail/2023/04/14/chatgpt-could-replace-telemarketers-teachers-and-traders

The Economist. (2023c, May 29). What does a leaked Google memo reveal about the future of AI? The Economist. https://www.economist.com/leaders/2023/05/11/what-does-a-leaked-google-memo-reveal-about-the-future-of-ai

The Economist. (2023d, June 10). Yuval Noah Harari argues that AI has hacked the operating system of human civilisation. The Economist. https://www.economist.com/by-invitation/2023/04/28/yuval-noah-harari-argues-that-ai-has-hacked-the-operating-system-of-human-civilisation?utm_content=section_content&gclid=CjwKCAjwtuOlBhBREiwA7agf1usocZaGKl_qnyebremfRo3gf69kjz4QB3c1VEOxPEFq-6-O3Ros2RoCMEMQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

The Extended Mind - Annie Murphy Paul. (2021, October 18). Annie Murphy Paul. https://anniemurphypaul.com/books/the-extended-mind/

The Tesla Competitor Dominating China’s EV Market | WSJ U.S. vs. China. (2023, February 16). YouTube. https://youtube.com/watch?v=6bTMAkd-EJc&feature=shares

Tsiros, M., & Heilman, C. M. (2005). The effect of expiration dates and perceived risk on purchasing behavior in grocery store perishable categories. Journal of Marketing, 69(2), 114–129. https://doi.org/10.1509/jmkg.69.2.114.60762

Verploegen, E. (2021, April 9). Clay Pot Coolers: Keep produce fresh without. . . Engineering For Change. https://www.engineeringforchange.org/news/clay-pot-coolers-keep-produce-fresh-without-electricity/

WeChat Palm Payment Is Finally Coming, Leave Your Phone At Home! (2023, March 30). Weixin Official Accounts Platform. https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s?__biz=MzkwMzQ0OTg2NA==&mid=2247615168&idx=1&sn=576deb4d7ff09b581911c1adce2e4fca&source=41#wechat_redirect

 

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Understanding the Consumption of Tea: Black, White, Green or Oolong?

 

Different types of teas

Tea (Camellia sinensis) is a beverage loved by people all over the world, though at different levels of affinity. I believe my love for tea started as a toddler who will wake up at the middle of the night to impress it on my aunties to make tea for me. Later in life, tea became something I drink only for breakfast. As I became a traveler, researcher and global learner, tea became part of my staple including the influence of my colleagues in the graduate school who always enjoy tea at any time of the day. On one fateful day during grad school, I remember ordering chai tea latte and Makau Nzuma informed me that the meaning of chai is tea so chai tea is a tautology (repetition). Moreover, in one of my essays, I alluded to the fact that we consume the same thing even though preparation and name my differ. Whether it is chai (e.g. Indians, Arabs, and East Africans), cha (e.g. Bangladeshis and Chinese), chay (Russians and Ukrainians), te (e.g. Italians, and Spanish), the (French) tsaa (Filipinos), these different ethnocultural groups are referring to the same beverage that is highly desirable to their gastronomy. To the specialty cafés and food franchises, chai tea latte is a blend of black tea and spices.

The story of tea started from China and has migrated to other parts of the world. The popularity started with matcha thus strengthening the Chinese tea culture. It was during the 9^th century that a Japanese monk, from China, started growing the plant in Japan and a unique ritual was developed around the consumption of tea. Dutch traders were the first set of people to import tea to Europe in the 17^th century. Tea was a major trade commodity during this period, thus leading to intense competition among the western countries to outcompete China. The competition was so stiff that Britain suggested a trade based on barter to exchange opium for tea, an arrangement that led to public health problems in China. To curtail the challenges associated with the consumption of opium, a cargo of opium was destroyed at the port of China and this led to the opium war. This war weakened China’s global power for more than a century. To further reduce the Chinese monopoly power, tea plants and experienced tea growers were smuggled out of China to Darjeeling, India under the British control (via The British East Indian Company). This spread of tea plantation continued across borders. In fact, an emeritus professor from Chennai, told me it was the British who moved a huge number of Tamils from Tamil Nādu to work on tea plantations in Sri Lanka.

Processed tea leaves

As my curiosity for consumption of desirable tea develops, I kept looking for teas that are sustainable for both the environment and the farmers cultivating the land. Based on my inclination and convictions, I made sure I buy and drink teas that are ethically produced, organic and artisanal. But the challenge is that it is difficult to monitor what operates along the value chain and certification is not necessarily a panacea. In other words, opacity and food authenticity are inversely related. Based on these challenges I decided to explore a sustainable tea farm, Renegade farm, in Imereti, Georgia as a plot adopter. This arrangement allows me to support sustainable production of tea, share the risk involved in tea production with the growers, contribute to biodiversity, and get a box of four types of teas at the end of the year. This is a variation of community shared agriculture on a global scale.

The Renegade Tea Estate was established in 2017 with the idea to build a platform where customers will drink tea that they were involved in the production. They have made adopters like myself to have an idea of the processes involved in growing our tea even though the farm is more than 8900 kilometers away. In five years, 2022, the farm has grown to 1500 families who have chosen to adopt their tea gardens. Adoption varies from more than 20 years to one season. The philosophy behind their activities is transparency, small production instead of mass production of food, and the practice of alternative agriculture.

Adopted tea plot: Renegade Farms

My box is packed with well processed, chemical free and handpicked tea from my plot as designated by the tea farm. I have these four teas in my subscription: [1]

1. Prodigy Mesame: oolong tea – floral, fresh and fruity.

2. Sunset Garden: green tea - mellow, fresh and intense (slightly bitter) taste as you swallow.

3. Georgian Breakfast: black tea – brisk, full bodied and

4. Imereti Summer: white tea – light, mild, fresh, and not strong.

I like the tea from Renegade because they have their specific taste and batches taste slightly different. What a privilege to be able to participate in this initiative. It is all about experimentation which is a very important concept in this century with respect to gastronomy. Furthermore, there is emphasis on no pesticides, herbicides and non-organic fertilizers.

I will continue to improve my tea consumption in a sustainable way by exploring specialty cafes and hanging with people from different parts of the world. As I mentioned earlier, people’s consumption of tea varies as a result of their culture, education, class, background and travel experiences. My observation in South West Nigeria is that consumption of tea is not that popular except among the elites. The general population prefer hot drinks from local grains like corn (maize), millet, or guinea corn. But the situation is different in East and Southern Africa where people consume several cups of tea in a day. This was based on my personal experiences in Arusha, Dar es Salaam, Moshi, Mombasa, Nairobi, Johannesburg, Pretoria and Durban. In fact, during my stay in Arusha in 2008 teaching graduate students in economics from more than 10 African universities, I started drinking tea more than five times a day with hot milk (not water!).  As stated in the essay “A Somali Breakfast’ preferences for tea is a reflection of the influence of the colonization for most cultures and people.

If you ask for my preference, I will say I have acquired a taste for black tea, I tolerate white tea easily, I forget oolong is caffeinated and I still struggle to appreciate green tea.

 

Bamidele Adekunle|IRG & ECVOntario|SEDRD|University of Guelph.

 

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[1] All the teas have smoky aroma. 

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