International Tea Day Un

Every year on May 21st, International Tea Day promotes ways to sustain the production and consumption of tea. It’s also a day to spread awareness of the importance of tea in fighting hunger and poverty.

You might be surprised to know that tea (not coffee) is the preferred beverage of choice for millions of people in the world. The global per capita consumption of tea is 35.2 liters. Every second, people consume 25,000 cups of tea. This equals 2.16 billion cups of tea per day.

As the world population increases, so will the number of tea drinkers. Tea is especially popular in India and China. These two countries account for 37% of the world’s total population. Tea has a rich history in the world. According to legend, Emperor Shen Hung discovered tea when leaves from a tree blew into his pot of boiling water. This event happened in ancient China nearly 5,000 years ago. People in China and around the world have been drinking tea ever since.

Besides drinking it for taste, many tea drinkers enjoy the many health benefits of tea. These benefits include:

• Contains antioxidants
• Reduces one’s risk of heart attack and stroke
• Aids with weight loss
• Protects the bones
• Prevents tooth loss
• Boosts the immune system
• Helps battle cancer
• Soothes the digestive system
• Helps the body to feel more relaxed

According to one particular study, habitual tea drinkers were less likely to die prematurely. These people drank tea at least 3 times a week. Green tea seems to have more health benefits than black tea.

International Tea Day History

Ever since 2005, tea-producing countries banded together to celebrate International Tea Day. These countries included Sri Lanka, Nepal, Indonesia, Kenya, Malaysia, and Uganda. In 2019, the Intergovernmental Group on Tea proposed to celebrate International Tea Day on May 21st. The UN approved the proposal on December 21, 2019. The first official UN-sanctioned International Tea Day was held on May 21st, 2020.

5 HOT AND COLD FACTS ABOUT TEA

1. Small Wonder

   With over 20,000 different varieties of tea around the world, it is truly amazing that the actual tea plant from which the leaves are derived- Camellia sinensis, has only 6 varieties.

2. The Most Expensive Tea in the World

   At $1.2 million per kilogram, China’s ‘The Big Red Robe’ is the most expensive tea in the world

3. What a Novel-tea!

   In 1908, an accident involving samples of tea packed into silk bags led to the creation of the first tea-bags.

4. Different Tastes

   As of now, the most popular tea in China is Bubble Tea or tapioca, whereas it’s chai in Pakistan and sweet iced tea in the US.

5. Turkish Delight?

   You’d think that the British consume the most tea, but it is actually the people of Turkey who drink more than anyone else.

    

INTERNATIONAL TEA DAY DATES