It is in the middle of the nineteenth century. China is particularly protectionist and jealously guards its shows on secrets culture of tea tree.
The British botanist (Scottish) Robert Fortune was sent to China to industrial espionage. Incognito, he explored China tea and bring thousands of seeds and plants which, once established in India - at the time part of the British Empire - give birth to legendary teas (Darjeeling and Assam, it causes ...).
The book is the autobiographical account of this journey. It shows full of humor and a great fluidity.