International Tea Day

Description :

Tea is a famous beverage around the world, and it is the most consumed drink after water in the world. Tea has been with us for a long time, and the origins of tea go back more than 5,000 years ago. There is a belief that tea originated in Northeast India, north Myanmar, and Southwest China. The beverage of tea is made from the Camellia Sinesis plant. Over 13 million people depend on the tea sector for their livelihoods in the world, including smallholder farmers and their households.

International Tea Day is celebrated annually on the 21st of May. The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 21st May as International Tea Day that considering the long history and deep cultural and economic significance of tea around the world. This resolution was adopted on December 21st, 2019. Also, it called on the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to lead the observance of this day. The United Nations General Assembly decided to designate 21st May as International Tea Day to Re-emphasize the invitation from the Intergovernmental Group on Tea to direct greater efforts towards expanding demand, particularly in tea-producing countries, where per capita consumption is relatively low.

The first International Tea Day was celebrated in New Delhi in 2005. The Indian government proposed to expand the observance of International Tea Day through the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Intergovernmental Group on Tea (IGG on Tea) in 2015. Then, the IGG on Tea discussed the idea of an International Tea Day during a meeting in Milan, Italy in 2015. Later, the FAO Committee on Commodity Problems (CCP) endorsed this proposal, and in December 2019, the United Nations General Assembly adopted it. 
 
The purpose of International Tea Day is to enhance awareness of the long history and the deep cultural and economic significance of tea all over the world. Also, this day is used to promote and implement activities related to the favor of the sustainable production and consumption of tea. Further, it helps to enhance awareness of the importance of tea in fighting hunger and poverty.

Tea has cultural significance in many societies. Also, tea consumption has health benefits and wellness due to the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant of tea beverages. The tea industry is the main income source in developing countries, and it helps poverty reduction, food security, and rural development in these countries.