National Tea Day, held annually on April 21st, is a joyous tribute to one of the world’s favorite beverages - tea. This unique day is dedicated to celebrating the vast history, culture, and traditions associated with tea. It unites tea connoisseurs across the world, recognizing the variety of flavors and the soothing warmth that a single cup of tea offers.
Whether you enjoy tea for its numerous health benefits, as a source of caffeine or purely for its delightful taste, National Tea Day is your chance to truly cherish the enchanting experience that is tea drinking.
History of National Tea Day
National Tea Day, one of the most celebrated beverage-based occasions, was established in 2016 by tea aficionado, Marco Geraghty. Officially acknowledged by the British government in 2018, the annual event takes place every 21st April, an interesting relevance being that it aligns with the birthday of Queen Elizabeth II, a known tea enthusiast. The day aims to celebrate the beloved brew and to encourage enthusiasts to discover new tea varieties, understand its origins, and indulge in the art of tea making.
The inaugural celebration of National Tea Day was hosted at Kensington Roof Gardens in London during 2016. Two years later, the grand ‘Fes-Tea-Val’ was hosted at Chiswick House, London to commemorate the harmonious fusion of traditional and contemporary tea cultures.
Remarkably, several other countries around the globe also recognize their unique National Tea Days throughout the year. These occasions usually include tea sampling sessions, special events, and a plethora of educational knowledge-sharing sessions about tea. This worldwide spread and celebration of National Tea Days are testament to the cultural and sentimental significance tea holds across different nations and cultures.
National Tea Day Timeline
Discovery of tea
According to Chinese legend, Emperor Shen Nong accidentally discovered tea when a leaf blew into his pot of boiling water.
First written reference to tea
A Chinese dictionary mentions tea for the first time in written record.
Tang Dynasty: Tea becomes a daily drink
During China's Tang Dynasty, tea evolved from a medicinal beverage to a daily drink.
Tea arrives in Britain
Tea is introduced in Europe by Dutch traders. It arrived in Britain in the 1650s.
Invention of tea bags
Thomas Sullivan started to send samples of tea in silk bags. His customers mistakenly dunked these bags into water, creating the tea bag.
National Tea Day in the UK
United Kingdom starts to celebrate National Tea Day annually on April 21.
Ideas to Celebrate National Tea Day
Host a Virtual Tea Party
Gather your loved ones online and enjoy a variety of teas together. Share some fun facts about the different types of tea you are drinking and explore new flavours together.
Explore International Tea Customs
Take this day as an opportunity to learn about different global tea-drinking traditions. You could try a Japanese tea ceremony, explore the British afternoon tea tradition or savour Moroccan mint tea.
Organise a Tea Sampling Event
Buy a variety of different types of tea and invite friends or family to taste and rate them. This could be a fun way to discover new favourite drinks.
Attend a Tea Workshop or Lecture
Look for local or online events discussing the history, production, and varieties of tea. This is a great way to deepen your appreciation and knowledge about your favourite beverage.
Health Benefits of Tea
Use this day to dive into some research and learn about the various health benefits different types of tea can offer. You could then make a commitment to incorporate more green or black tea, for example, into your lifestyle if it suits your health needs.
Tea & Books
Plan a relaxing day with your favorite books and a variety of teas. After all, is there anything better than a good book and a hot cup of tea?
8 Interesting Facts About Tea
Ancient Beverage
Tea is considered to be the second most consumed drink in the world, after water.
Tea Types
All tea types including green, black, white, and oolong come from the same plant, Camellia sinensis. The differences in taste, color, and aroma depend on how the leaves are processed after harvesting.
Longevity of Tea
Tea is thought to have been used as a beverage for over 5,000 years, beginning in China and India.
Staggering Production
Every year, approximately 6.5 million metric tons of tea are produced worldwide.
Expensive Taste
The most expensive tea in the world is Da-Hong Pao, a rare Chinese oolong tea. It costs about $1.2 million per kilogram ($6000 per gram)!
Health Benefits
Tea is rich in antioxidants and has less caffeine than coffee. Drinking tea can improve mental focus, aid in weight loss, and boost the immune system.
World's Oldest Tea Tree
The oldest known tea tree, found in China, is thought to be over 3,200 years old.
Boston Tea Party
In 1773, American colonists dumped 342 chests of British tea into the Boston Harbor to protest the Tea Act, triggering a major event in the build-up to the American Revolution known as the Boston Tea Party.
National Tea Day FAQs
Next National Tea Day Dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | April 21st | Friday |
| 2024 | April 21st | Sunday |
| 2025 | April 21st | Monday |
| 2026 | April 21st | Tuesday |
| 2027 | April 21st | Wednesday |
| What is the pattern? | Every April 21st | |
National Tea Day Word Search
- Beverage
- Brew
- GreenTea
- Infusion
- Kettle
- Teapot