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.

Stuff The British Stole

ABC listen and CBC

The Fever Tree Hunt

JUL 25, 202330 MIN
Stuff The British Stole

The Fever Tree Hunt

JUL 25, 202330 MIN

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.