The tea industry provides millions of people around the world with cups of tea in the morning. One of the biggest producers of tea, India, recognizes the importance of tea in its communities and as a commodity for commerce.
However, much of the working conditions for those within the tea industry still need much improvement. If you thought this holiday was about drinking tea, well think again! International Tea Day is all about the tea workers and bringing civil rights into action. Let’s see how this holiday came to pass.
Do you love a good cup of tea? While International Tea Day can certainly involve paying homage to tea, we should pay homage to those working in the tea industry.
The best way to do this is by helping to raise awareness regarding their working conditions so they can be improved.
How to Celebrate International Tea Day
Learn About Your Favorite Tea Companies
If you’re a lover of tea, then do some research about some of your favorite companies. Try looking up tea brands that support fair trade, and possibly switch to those brands to make a difference in the way you buy products such as tea.
Use the day’s hashtag to help recognize it as an official holiday and educate others about the tea industry if you’re interested.
Try a New Kind of Tea
You could also use International Tea Day to try a variety of tea you have never had before.
Whether it is Rooibos tea from South Africa or an herbal tea blend from some other part of the world, get excited about this day by leaning into some new tastes in brewed tea.
Bake with Tea
Why not make some delicious baked green tea treats on International Tea Day and have a bake sale to raise money and awareness regarding working conditions in the tea industry?
Green tea recipes are available in their abundance. People are actively searching for different ways to enjoy green tea. While green tea is delicious when simply mixed with hot water, there is nothing wrong with switching it up from time to time, especially on International Tea Day!
Host a Whimsical Tea Party
Invite friends and family for a charming tea gathering. Encourage guests to don vintage attire, creating an ambiance reminiscent of classic tea times.
Serve a variety of teas accompanied by an assortment of pastries and finger sandwiches. This setting fosters delightful conversations and shared enjoyment.
Create Tea-Inspired Art
Unleash your creativity by crafting art inspired by tea. Paint or sketch your favorite teapot, design tea-themed greeting cards, or experiment with tea leaf reading illustrations.
This artistic endeavor adds a personal touch to your celebration.
Share Your Tea Moments Online
Capture your tea-filled moments and share them on social media platforms. Use hashtags to connect with fellow enthusiasts worldwide. Sharing your experiences can inspire others to join in the celebration.
International Tea Day Timeline
Tea is discovered as a beverage
Legend has it that Chinese Emperor Shen Nung is sitting beneath a tea tree while a servant boiled water for drinking. Some leaves fall into the cup and begin the practice of drinking what is now called “tea”.
Tea comes to Europe
It is believed that the Dutch were the first to bring tea to Europe, just a few years prior to the introduction of coffee by Venetians.
The Boston Tea Party occurs
With the intention of revolting against the high taxes levied by the British government without providing any voice, residents of Massachusetts throw tea into the Boston Harbor. “No taxation without representation” is the major complaint.
International Tea Day is created
At the World Social Forum, International Tea Day is conceived and then celebrated the following years in New Delhi and Sri Lanka, then later in other tea-producing places like Nepal, Viet Nam, Bangladesh and others.
United Nations adopts International Tea Day
After some years of advocating for its observance, International Tea Day is adopted by the United Nations General Assembly at the suggestion of the FAO Intergovernmental Group on Tea.
History of International Tea Day
The history of Tea Day dates back to actions taken by folks in New Dehli in 2005. The event was started to raise awareness about the needs of those working in the tea industry, and it was celebrated on December 15 of that year.
The following years saw national Tea Day events grow into other places like Sri Lanka, Nepal and additional tea-producing countries, happening alongside the growth of GlobalTea Conferences initiated by trade unions.
International Tea Day was officially declared by the United Nations General Assembly in December 2019, and an even larger celebration took place on an international level the following May.
Its purposes were in alignment with different UN sustainability goals, such as the reduction of extreme poverty, the empowerment of women and the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems.
Bonus: Learn About Matcha Tea
Matcha is highly popular as of late. You need to shop with care, though! The first thing you need to take a look at is how the Matcha has been produced and sourced. Ensure that all veins and stalks have been removed so that there is not any bitterness and only the finest leaves should be used.
Secondly, the color of the matcha powder is a significant factor. The greener the color is, the better. This is because the leaves are forced to overproduce chlorophyll because Matcha is shade-grown, which causes the vibrant green shade.
If the Matcha is yellow or brown in color, this is a sign that the leaves have not been properly shaded or that branches and stalks have been included.
The price is the third factor to consider. Like most things, if you want quality, you can expect to pay a little bit more. If something seems too good to be true, the chances are that it is.
The feel of Matcha is also important. It should be a fine powder that is very silky. Last but not least, the taste is obviously a crucial attribute when it comes to quality. It should have a clean and naturally sweet taste!
Ideas for Baking with Tea
An easy and delicious recipe is Matcha Meringue Kisses. To make this you will need Matcha, sugar, egg whites, and powdered sugar.
Begin by sifting together the Matcha and the powder sugar, and then whip the egg whites until they have soft peaks. Gradually add the sugar and whip until stiff peaks. Gently fold the Matcha into this mixture and then transfer to a pastry bag. Pipe the mixture into small kisses onto a baking tray and then bake for around an hour.
Or, why not make Green Tea Donuts? For this, you need green tea, honey, melted butter, milk, egg, salt, baking powder, sugar, and cake flour.
You whisk the green tea, salt, baking powder, sugar, and flour. Add the honey, melted butter, milk, and egg, and then whisk. Use a pastry bag to pipe the batter into the mould.
Then, simply bake the donuts for eight minutes. You can make your own glaze to go on the top – chocolate goes well!
Other delicious baked treats to try include green tea muffins, brownies and shortbread!
Facts About National Tea Day
Tea’s Role in Global Livelihoods
Tea is one of the world’s most important cash crops, supporting an estimated 13 million people directly in tea production and 65 million people in total livelihoods across more than 35 countries, with smallholder farmers now responsible for around 60 percent of global tea output.
How Processing Turns One Plant into Many Teas
Black, green, white, and oolong teas all come from the same species, Camellia sinensis; the differences arise from how the leaves are processed, especially the degree of oxidation, which alters flavor, color, and the profile of health-related compounds such as catechins and theaflavins.
Tea as a Major Source of Dietary Fluoride
Tea plants naturally accumulate fluoride from the soil, making brewed tea one of the highest dietary sources; while moderate intake is considered safe, very strong or unusually high consumption, especially of low-quality brick teas, has been linked to dental and skeletal fluorosis in some regions.
Tea, Caffeine, and L‑Theanine
Tea’s characteristic “calm alertness” comes from the combination of caffeine and the amino acid L‑theanine, which research suggests can improve attention and reduce mental fatigue when consumed together, producing a different effect from coffee with similar caffeine levels.
Tea and the Silk Road
By the Tang and Song dynasties, tea had become so valuable in China that it was pressed into bricks and traded along the Tea Horse Road, a branch of the Silk Road network, where it was exchanged for horses and carried hundreds of miles on mule and yak caravans into Tibet and beyond.
The Boston Tea Party’s Global Tea Context
At the time of the 1773 Boston Tea Party, the British East India Company effectively held a monopoly on importing Chinese tea to Europe and its colonies, and the protest targeted not just a tax but a corporate bailout law that allowed the company to undercut local merchants with surplus tea.
Tea and Biodiversity Pressures
Large-scale tea plantations can contribute to deforestation, soil erosion, and loss of biodiversity when forest is cleared for monoculture, which has led certification schemes such as Rainforest Alliance to focus on shade trees, soil conservation, and habitat protection in tea-growing landscapes.
