International tea day is celebrated every year on May 21 since 2015. The day intends to express the economic, biological, and physical benefits of tea. The Day also aims to raise awareness of the long history and the deep cultural and economic significance of tea around the world. The United Nations General Assembly has designated May 21 as International Tea Day based on a proposal moved by India at the FAO Intergovernmental Group (IGG) on Tea in October 2015.
The May month was finalised to celebrate International Tea Day as it is the quality tea manufacturing season in most tea producing countries.
International Tea Day is observed in many tea producing countries like India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Indonesia, Kenya, Malawi, Malaysia, Uganda and Tanzania.
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Amazing Facts about Tea:
In February 2000, a compulsory system was incorporated into the 1953 Tea Act. This was to make it necessary for all dealers in Darjeeling tea to obtain a licence from the Tea Board of India, on the condition that they supply information on the production and manufacture of their tea. Due to this act, any tea labelled as Darjeeling without guaranteeing its quality with correct certification will not be exported from the region.
According to the Eden Project, “The flavour of teas, like wines, depends on where they grow as well as the type of bush. Teas you buy are sometimes made up of different sorts blended together.”
According to Fortnum and Mason, low-quality china cups would crack when hot tea was poured in them, so putting the milk in first meant your cups would stay intact
According to tea expert, Kate Woollard, “Weight for weight, tea has more caffeine. But you use more coffee to make a cup of coffee. So you’re using less tea, which means less caffeine.”
Tea, introduced into Europe in the late 17th century, was a valuable commodity. It was kept securely in elegant boxes with secure locks. At that time, these were usually known as ‘tea chests’, although they are now generally referred to as ‘tea caddies’.
At one time in the late 18th century, many believed that more tea was imported through illegal methods than through legal channels. To make matters worse, smugglers began compromising the purity of the tea by mixing it with leaves from other plants; thus stretching their supply and increasing their profits.
In 1908, American businessman Thomas Sullivan shipped samples of tea in fine silk pouches – which customers dunked straight into hot water.