Steeped: The Chemistry of Tea
Join chemist and author Michelle Francl for an intriguing evening exploring the science behind the world’s most popular beverage: tea!
Tea can be a pick-me-up or give us a meditative moment. It’s been used to secure diplomacy and friendship, and been a coveted, contested commodity.
Dr. Francl’s recent book, Steeped: The Chemistry of Tea, explores the science behind caffeine; the perfect temperature for steeping your tea leaves; the secret benefits of drying, roasting, and aging; and so much more. You’ll never experience your favorite tea—whether black, green, or pu’erh—the same way again!
About Michelle Francl
Michelle M. Francl, PhD is the Frank B. Mallory Professor of Chemistry at Bryn Mawr College, as well as an appointed adjunct scholar of the Vatican Observatory. She is a quantum chemist who has worked in areas ranging from the development of methods for computational chemistry to the structures of topologically intriguing molecules. Her essays on science, culture, and policy appear regularly in Nature, Chemistry, Slate, and other publications. She was elected as an American Chemical Society Fellow in 2009 and was the 2019 recipient of the ACS Philadelphia Section Award.
About This Event
“Steeped: The Chemistry of Tea” is part of our Science and Society and Joseph Priestley Society (JPS) series. Our Science and Society speaker series explores the history of science embedded in our everyday lives. We invite scientists, historians, policymakers, and educators for engaging, in-depth conversations that expand our perspectives. Named for the 18th-century scientist who discovered oxygen, JPS promotes a deeper understanding of science, technology, and industry, with an emphasis on innovation and entrepreneurship.
PLEASE NOTE: Our museum will be temporarily closed December 22, 2024, through March 7, 2025, for renovations.
Featured image: Detail of the cover of Michelle Francl’s book, Steeped: The Chemistry of Tea.
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