International Tea Day is observed on 21 May every year by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). The day provides an opportunity to celebrate the cultural heritage, health benefits, and economic importance of tea.
The origins of tea go back to more than 5,000 years. Tea contributes to health, culture, and socioeconomic development. Currently, Tea is grown in more than 35 countries.
It supports over 13 million people, including smallholder farmers and their households, who depend on the tea sector for their livelihoods. Tea has many health benefits due to its anti-inflammatory & antioxidant properties.
In 2019, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) proclaimed 21 May as International Tea Day as it recognized the long history and deep cultural and economic significance of tea around the world.
UNGA recognized that tea has medicinal value and has the potential of bringing health benefits to people. The reason for the UN celebrating Tea day on 21 May is that the season of tea production begins in May in most of the tea producing countries.
Earlier, tea producing countries like Malawi, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Uganda, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Vietnam, Indonesia, Kenya, and Tanzania observed International Tea Day on 15 December every year.
