Hi tea lovers, in today’s post, we will discover:
- When is International Tea Day 2024, 2025, and further?
- Why do we celebrate International Tea Day?
- Who invented International Tea Day?
- Interesting history of tea
- How many tea types are there?
- Is tea good for health or bad?
- 10 fun ideas to celebrate International Tea Day
After reading this post, you’ll have a good understanding of International Tea Day and plenty of creative ideas to celebrate it. Let’s jump right in!
When is International Tea Day 2024 and further?
Tea is a beverage made from the Camellia sinensis plant and is the second most consumed drink in the world, just after water! This year, International Tea Day is on Tuesday, May 21, 2024.
Check out the dates for International Tea Day from 2024 to 2034 below.
Holiday | Date | Day of the week |
International Tea Day 2024 | May 21, 2024 | Tuesday |
International Tea Day 2025 | May 21, 2025 | Wednesday |
International Tea Day 2026 | May 21, 2026 | Thursday |
International Tea Day 2027 | May 21, 2027 | Friday |
International Tea Day 2028 | May 21, 2028 | Sunday |
International Tea Day 2029 | May 21, 2029 | Monday |
International Tea Day 2030 | May 21, 2030 | Tuesday |
International Tea Day 2031 | May 21, 2031 | Wednesday |
International Tea Day 2032 | May 21, 2032 | Friday |
International Tea Day 2033 | May 21, 2033 | Saturday |
International Tea Day 2034 | May 21, 2034 | Sunday |
Why do we celebrate International Tea Day?
Tea’s origin is a bit of a mystery. People think it came from northeast India, north Myanmar, or southwest China, but nobody knows for sure. What we do know is that tea has been around for ages. Evidence shows that people were drinking tea in China 5,000 years ago.
Millions of families in developing countries rely on tea production and processing for their livelihoods. It’s a major source of income and export revenue for some of the poorest countries. Plus, it provides many jobs, especially in remote and economically disadvantaged areas. Because it’s a cash crop, tea can help with rural development, poverty reduction, and food security in developing countries.
To help promote sustainable tea production and consumption, the General Assembly decided to make May 21 International Tea Day. The goal is to raise awareness about the importance of tea in fighting hunger and poverty.
Who invented International Tea Day?
The International Tea Day campaign was started in 2005 by trade unions, small tea growers, and civil society organizations in Asia and Africa. They wanted to address the issues of living wages for workers and fair prices for small tea producers. And in 2019, the Intergovernmental Group on Tea proposed to celebrate International Tea Day on May 21. Finally, the UN approved the proposal on December 21, 2019. The first official UN-sanctioned International Tea Day was held on May 21, 2020.
Interesting history of tea
Tea is one of the most loved drinks globally, and it has been giving people a refreshing lift for thousands of years. Billions of cups of tea are enjoyed every day! Let’s take a little journey through the history of the world’s favorite beverage.
Legend has it that some leaves fell into the water being boiled for Chinese Emperor Shen Nung, and he found the taste refreshing, thus inventing the first cup of tea. During the Tang Dynasty, Japanese Buddhist scholars visiting China brought tea seeds back to Japan, and the Japanese fell in love with the drink, eventually creating the famous Japanese tea ceremonies.
Over in Europe, it was the Portuguese who first discovered the pleasures of tea, and the Dutch saw the commercial potential of this remarkable leaf. However, it remained incredibly expensive, and only the highest members of society could afford such a delicacy.
It’s funny how the Brits, who are famous for their love of tea, didn’t fancy drinking it right away. It wasn’t until King Charles II married Catherine of Braganza, a Portuguese princess and a big tea fan, that the Brits started drinking tea to keep up with the new queen and never stopped.
Back in the day in Britain, tea was super expensive, which led to people smuggling and drinking it illegally. Believe it or not, during the 18th century, more tea was smuggled into the country than was imported legally. Then, the government finally reduced taxes, and Sir Thomas Lipton made tea affordable for everyone, helping it become the popular drink it is today.
How many tea types are there?
Tea is a word for both true teas and herbal teas. There are four true teas: green tea, black tea, oolong tea, and white tea. All of them come from the same plant, Camellia sinensis. What makes each tea taste different and have different health benefits is how the leaves are processed—whether they are heated or oxidized.
Herbal teas are not true teas, but they’re still something you steep in hot water and drink. They’re made by steeping herbs, flowers, roots, or other stuff in water. Some herbal teas have special things that can make you healthy, but it depends on what’s in the tea.
Is tea good for health or bad?
Tea is a cool drink to add to your healthy diet. There are some unique health benefits for regular tea drinkers. For example, drinking tea might help you have better blood pressure, lower your risk of certain cancers, have better attention, support your immune system, and even live longer! Plus, tea counts as fluid, so sipping on it can help keep you hydrated throughout the day.
However, drinking tea every day may also have some downsides, such as staining your teeth, keeping you up at night, or making it harder for your body to absorb iron.
10 fun ideas to celebrate International Tea Day
Here are 10 fun ways to celebrate International Tea Day:
1. Host a tea party
Invite your homies over for tea, scones, and finger sandwiches. You can even go all out and have a Victorian tea party or a Japanese tea ceremony.
2. Try a new tea
There are so many different types of tea to explore! Why not try something new on International Tea Day? You can attend a tea tasting or make your own tea blend. Get creative and experiment with different flavors and ingredients.
3. Visit a tea garden or plantation
If you’re lucky enough to live near one, take a tour on International Tea Day. You’ll learn all about how tea is grown and processed, from cultivation to harvesting. It’s a great way to see the journey of tea from plant to cup.
Post pictures of your tea party, go-to tea flavor, or a recipe for a yummy tea cocktail. Don’t forget to use the hashtag #InternationalTeaDay to share your love of tea on social media.
5. Support a tea charity
On International Tea Day, it makes sense to help tea farmers and workers by donating to one of the many charities that support them.
6. Community tea picnic
Host a tea-themed picnic at the park and invite everyone from the community. Bring blankets and a wide range of tea flavors, and encourage people to mingle and make new connections while enjoying a cup of tea.
7. Tea and food pairing workshop
How about organizing a workshop to experiment with different tea and food combinations? This is an excellent opportunity to learn how various teas can complement not only sweet but also savory dishes.
8. Learn about tea and mindfulness
Tea and mindfulness go hand in hand in many cultures. If you’re interested, you can find online resources or attend workshops that explore the connection between tea and meditation. Or, you can just create your own tea ritual at home, where you focus on the present moment and enjoy the experience of brewing and sipping on a warm cup of tea.
9. Have a virtual tea party
If you can’t get together in person, why not have a virtual tea party with friends or family who live far away? Just pick a time that works for everyone and hop on a video call together. Don’t forget to get your favorite snacks and tea ready beforehand, and enjoy catching up with each other while having a virtual tea party!
10. Volunteer at a tea shop
Want to do something good for your community and have fun at the same time? How about volunteering at a local tea shop on International Tea Day? You can help out with things like making tea samples, serving customers, or even organizing tea-related events. Besides contributing to your community, you will also gain knowledge about the tea industry.
FAQs
Is there an International Tea Day?
Yes, International Tea Day is celebrated every year on May 21.
Which country invented tea?
Tea’s origin story is from China. The legend goes that Emperor Shen Nung was chilling under a tree while his servant boiled water. Suddenly, some leaves from the tree blew into the water, and the first cup of tea was born.
This story is interesting, but it’s hard to know if it’s true or not. What we do know is that people in China have been drinking tea for centuries before anyone in the West even knew what it was.
Which country drinks the most tea in the world?
There is no doubt that China is the world’s largest tea consumer.
Who first brought tea to Europe?
Europeans did not know what tea was until the 16th century. Portugal was the first European country to contact East India, and that’s how tea was introduced to Europe. In 1569, a missionary from Portugal wrote a letter to the king of Portugal, telling him about this bitter and red medicinal drink called “Cha” that rich folks served to their guests. Portugal was the first country to tell Europe about tea in writing.
Why do Brits drink so much tea?
Tea made its way to Britain in the early 1600s through the East India Company. But because of high taxes imposed by the government, tea was too expensive for the common folks, and they had to lock it up like treasure. However, once the taxes were lowered, regular people could afford it too, and it quickly became a favorite drink, even more popular than coffee.
Who taught the English to drink tea?
Catherine of Braganza was a total tea expert. She taught the English ladies at court how to brew tea that was actually enjoyable to drink. Remember that people drank tea without milk or sugar, so it was pretty bitter.
Who is the largest producer of tea in the world?
China is the biggest tea producer in the world. Other countries like India, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Vietnam, Turkey, Iran, Indonesia, Japan, and Argentina are also top tea cultivators and play a significant role in the global tea trade. These countries have the perfect climate, soil quality, and other factors that help produce some of the best tea in the world.
What is the most expensive tea in the world?
Da Hong Pao (Big Red Robe) is one of the most expensive teas in the world. It comes from the Wuyi Mountains in China, and the highest-quality versions can cost thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars per kilogram.
What is the healthiest tea to drink daily?
Different types of teas offer different health benefits. Here are 8 teas that can help improve your overall health:
- Green tea can help lower the risk of type 2 diabetes and promote heart health.
- Black tea can help improve cognitive function and reduce inflammation.
- Oolong tea can help lower cholesterol levels.
- Chamomile tea can help improve sleep and support your immune system.
- Ginger tea can help alleviate nausea and vomiting.
- Peppermint tea can help promote healthy digestion.
- Hibiscus tea can help lower blood pressure.
- Fennel tea can help ease menopause symptoms.
Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed today’s post.
We regularly update this post. So feel free to check it later for new insights.
