LA SALLE - On Tuesday, May 4 at 6 p.m., the LaSalle Public Library will virtually host Anglophile and culinary travel guide, Claire Evans when she presents, “The Politics of Tea: The East India Company and British Tea Culture.”

For all its genteel connotations, the history of tea is steeped in espionage, rebellion and the rise of an empire. In this presentation, Evans will explore the background of the most lucrative corporate venture the world has ever known and the product it brought to the West at any cost.  With a nod to the popular “Bridgerton” series, learn how tea infused British society from top to bottom and what to expect should you ever find yourself at high tea.

Evans started her love of most things British as she and her mother watched countless episodes of “Are You Being Served,” “Fawlty Towers” and “The Vicar of Dibley” on PBS. She went on to study abroad in London, marry a British guy she met in Peoria, and move to England for several years, where she got an immersive education in modern English cooking, pub dining, tea shops, and welly boots for every occasion.

The program is free and open to the public but does require registration. Once registered, a confirmation e-mail with connection info for joining the program will be sent. Register online at https://bit.ly/2OTk8au. For more information, please contact the LaSalle Public Library at (815) 223-2341.