International Tea Day
International Tea Day is an annual celebration on May 21. It is coordinated by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
International Tea Day is a new event, introduced in a resolution adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on 19 December 2019 and first celebrated in 2020.
International Tea Day History: What Led to the Discovery of Tea
China is credited with the discovery of tea. People have been drinking tea for thousands of years. Archeological evidence indicates that the discovery and consumption of tea dates back to around 5000 years ago.
In old Folk stories Shen Nung, a Chinese Emperor, is claimed to be the first person to taste tea. These stories say that in 2732 BC, he was sitting under a tree with a cup of hot water when a leaf fell from the tree into his cup. He liked the pleasing smell of the drink and immediately tried it.
The Emperor named the drink "ch'a" meaning to check or inquire. This led to the discovery of tea which then spread around the globe.
International Tea Day: An important mission
International tea day has a bigger mission than simply promoting tea. According to the original resolution, the day also champions the "sustainable production and consumption of tea and raise[s] awareness of its importance in fighting hunger and poverty".
Economically speaking, the tea industry is extremely important in some of the world’s poorest countries, but consumption is fairly low in many of the countries where it is grown. In addition, tea consumption is declining in countries that traditionally imported a lot of tea.
This presents problems for the countries which depend economically on this cash crop. International tea day was started to raise awareness of the dilemmas and challenges that are faced by these countries that produce tea.
International tea day raises awareness of the importance of this crop and promotes sustainable tea growing through a number of initiatives across the globe. To educate people on the vital role of the tea industry, the Food and Agriculture Organization has created publications and hosted online ceremonies where people can learn and celebrate together.
Health Benefits of tea
- Tea contains oxidants called polyphenols. It can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
- According to certain studies, tea contains a type of polyphenol called caffeine and catechins which helps with weight loss.
- It has also been found that people who drink green tea or black tea have lower chances of heart issues.
- Herbal teas such as chamomile help maintain the health of your digestive system.
- Tea is extremely beneficial for your teeth because high amounts fluoride, catechins and tannins are present. These help to prevent plague, builds resistance to acid and sugar and strengthens teeth.
- The amount of caffeine present in tea is less than coffee. It is said that traditional tea contains 50 percent less caffeine than coffee!
- Herbal teas such as Chamomile and Ginger tea are quite good for the digestive system as they are antispasmodic.
Types of Tea and How to Make Them
Black Tea
Black Tea is extremely simple to make! Just boil water and add tea leaves and sugar to it. You can also add some ginger and cloves to make it extra special.
Green tea
Green Tea, the ultimate health drink, is also very easy to make. Simply follow the steps below:
- Boil some water in a saucepan.
- Switch the gas off and add some green tea leaves or powder.
- Mix it and let it rest for 2 to 3 minutes
- You can add honey or sugar as per your taste.
- Simply strain and have hot and healthy green tea.
White Tea
White tea leaves are prepared in a slightly different way. The leaves and buds of Camellia sinensis plant are extracted while they are still fairly young and then dried and withered usually with the help of natural processes.
The process to make a white tea is the same as above. You add the tea leaves to boiling water and let it rest for 2 to 3 minutes. After this, simply strain and enjoy some white tea!
Yellow Tea
Yellow tea is a type of rare tea that is mainly grown in the Yellow Mountain of China and was previously served to royal families and leaders.
It is similar to Green tea but undergoes an additional step in the tea making process- drying by enclosing and steaming the leaves.
Yellow tea is prepared the same way as green tea. Simply add some tea leaves to boiling water and let it rest for three to four minutes and you're done!
Herbal Tea
Herbal tea is a beverage made from steeping herbs, spices, or other plant materials in hot water. Popular herbs for herbal tea include chamomile, peppermint, and ginger. Experiment with different combinations to find your favorite flavors!
- To make it, simply boil water first.
- Then add your desired herbs or spices, and steep for a few minutes
- Finally, strain the drink and enjoy Herbal tea!
Chai
Chai is the staple tea recipe in India? Follow the steps to make the perfect cup of chai:
- Boil 1 cup of water in a saucepan.
- Then add two tablespoons of tea and keep boiling for 2 minutes.
- Next, add two cups of milk and keep boiling it for two minutes.
- It is time to add sugar now and then strain and enjoy a beautiful cup of chai.
Oolong Tea
Like Yellow tea, Oolong tea also originates from China. Its name is derived from two words 'Wu' and 'Long' which translates to 'black' and 'dragon' respectively.
To prepare oolong tea:
- Boil water.
- Rinse teapot with hot water.
- Add oolong tea leaves to teapot (1 tsp per cup).
- Pour hot water over leaves (195-205°F or 90-95°C).
- Steep for 2-5 minutes.
- Strain tea into cups.
- Lastly, don't forget to enjoy!
