The International Tea Day is observed on May 21 every year. The day is known to create awareness about safe working conditions of the tea workers, fair trade and a sustainable environment to improve production of tea.
The Tea Board of India planned this day with the hope that it will become an official holiday to the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation. As per a study conducted by the Tea Board of India in 2007, about 80 per cent of the total tea produced in India is consumed by the domestic population. All consumers have the right to demand answers about the tea we consume and to ensure fair prices for the tea workers. We can also demand that the process of manufacturing is kept transparent too.
History of International Tea Day
The first International Tea Day was held in Delhi, India in 2005. It was in 2015 that the Indian government proposed the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation to expand this day globally. The day is observed in the month of May because it is during this time of the year that tea production begins in most of the countries.
Quotes on Tea
Tea has had a massive impact on pop culture as well, authors and essayists have said quotes about it and have adhered great value to it. Some of the quotes are:
“Where there’s tea there’s hope” – Arthur Wing Pinero
“Some people will tell you there is a great deal of poetry and fine sentiment in a chest of tea” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
“Love and scandal are the best sweeteners of tea” – Henry Fielding
“A simple cup of tea is far from a simple matter” – Mary Lou Heiss
“Each cup of tea represents an imaginary voyage” – Catherine Douzel
Interesting facts about Tea
• Tea comes in around 3,000 different types.
• The amount of caffeine in tea is more than in coffee.
• Tea was kept in a locked chest in the 18th century as it was considered a highly valuable entity back then.
• The British Standards Institution has announced official guidelines for making a perfect cup of tea.
Types of Herbal Tea for better Immunity
Ginger Herbal Tea
Ginger is a versatile spice with many uses. It adds flavour to any food and has been used as a herbal medicine for years in Southeast Asia. Ginger has innumerable benefits such as it boosts your immune system, improves cognitive function, improves digestion, helps during nausea, soothes sore throat and many more.
Chamomile Tea
Chamomile is best known for its therapeutic properties. A cup of chamomile tea can be a great stressbuster. Chamomile tea also has a natural sweetness to it which makes it a delicious herb to consume. Some benefits of chamomile tea are – it is anti-inflammatory, helps reduce cold and cough, improves digestion, improves sleep quality, reduces anxiety and stress and many more.
Hibiscus Tea
Hibiscus tea is a cranberry-like tasting tea which can be enjoyed hot or with ice. The antioxidant-rich tea has many health benefits and some of them are – a good source of iron, high in Vitamin C, controls blood pressure, and boosts metabolism.
Lemongrass Tea
Lemongrass is a popular medicinal herb and is used to make herbal tea due to its citrusy and zesty flavour. Lemongrass also has many medicinal benefits and some of them are – improves dental health, boosts immunity, is antioxidant-rich, soothes cramps, is good for cardiovascular health, etc.
Lavender Tea
Lavender can be consumed as a tea with just lavender as the ingredient or one can also use Lavender as one of the many ingredients to make tea. Lavender species are mostly native to Europe and Asia but can now be grown anywhere in the world. Some benefits of consuming Lavender tea are – helps relieve period pains, helps with headaches, boosts immunity, soothes stress, etc.
Peppermint Tea
Peppermint tea is a popular choice amongst herbal tea consumers due to its properties to fight the common cold. Not only can peppermint be used as the main ingredient to prepare herbal tea but also with one of the many herbs listed above to increase the number of benefits. Some health benefits of Peppermint tea are – increasing memory power, boosting brain function, and stressbuster, helping with headaches, curing common cold.
