International Tea Day

International Tea Day on May 21st every year promotes ways to maintain the production and consumption of tea.

The tea industry provides millions of people around the world with their morning cups of tea. One of the largest tea producers, India, recognizes the importance of tea in the community and as a commercial commodity.

However, for the most part, the working conditions of those in the tea industry still need much improvement. If you think this holiday is for tea, think again! International Tea Day is all about tea workers and putting civil rights into action. Let's see how this vacation went.

Do you like a good cup of tea? While International Tea Day can certainly involve paying homage to tea, we should pay tribute to those who work in the tea industry. The best way to do this is to help raise awareness of their working conditions so that they can be improved.

Why drink tea?

Tea is a beverage from the Camellia sinesis plant. Tea is the most consumed beverage in the world, after water. It is believed that tea originated in northeastern India, northern Myanmar and southwestern China, but the exact place where the plant first grew is unknown. Tea has been with us since a long time. There is evidence that tea was appeared and consumed in China 5,000 years ago.

Tea production and processing is the main source of livelihood for millions of families in developing countries and the main means of subsistence for millions of poor families living in some of the least developed countries.

The tea industry is a major source of income and export revenue for some of the poorest countries and is a labor-intensive, job-providing industry, especially in remote and economically disadvantaged areas. Tea can play an important role in rural development, poverty alleviation and food security in developing countries, being one of the most important crops.

Drinking tea can provide health and wellness benefits due to the beverage's anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and weight loss effects. Moreover, tea also brings cultural significance in many societies.

History of International Tea Day

Trade unions, small tea growers and civil society organizations in Asia and Africa launched the International Tea Day campaign in 2005 that aims to solve the issue of living wages workers and reasonable prices for small tea producers.

The International Tea Conference in New Delhi published the International Declaration on the Rights of Workers and Small Growers to regulate unequal competition, land tenure, safety regulations, women's rights, and social security as well as a living wage. Another organization, The Tea Board of India, has proposed International Tea Day in the hope that it will become an official holiday of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

This was proposed by President Santosh Kumar Sarangi in 2015. According to the President, India's proposal was supported by countries such as Canada, the United States, the European Union, Sri Lanka, China, Japan, Kenya and Malawi. Although the holiday has no official status, its objective is to recognize the vulnerable situations faced by tea producers in India given current living conditions and workers -related policies.

The day also focuses on discussing pressing issues such as residues, climate change, technology and production and consumption trends in the tea industry. To celebrate this day, more than 150 representatives from tea organizations gathered and conducted a workshop to discuss the burning issues of the tea industry as well as the problems facing within their own country.

How to Celebrate International Tea Day

If you are a tea lover, then do some research on some of your favorite companies? Try looking for tea brands that support fair trade and maybe switch to them to make a difference in the way you buy products like tea. Using the hashtag #internationalteaday helps recognize International Tea Day as an official holiday and educates others about the tea industry if you're interested.

You can also use International Tea Day to try a variety of teas you've never had before. Matcha, for example, is very popular late in the year. However, you need to shop carefully! The first thing you need to see is how Matcha was produced and sourced.

Make sure to remove all the veins and stalks so that there is no bitterness left and only the best leaves should be used. Second, the color of the matcha powder is an important factor. The greener the color is, the better. This is because the leaves are forced to produce too much chlorophyll because Matcha is grown in the shade, which produces a vibrant green color.

If the Matcha is yellow or brown, this is a sign that the leaves have not been shaded properly or that branches and stems are already present. Price is the third factor to consider. Like most things, if you want quality, you can pay a little more.

If something seems too good to be true, it most likely is. The feel of Matcha is also important. It should be a very smooth fine powder. Last but not least, taste is clearly an important attribute when it comes to quality. It must have a clean and naturally sweet taste.

Why not make some delicious roasted green tea on International Tea Day and organize a cupcake sale to raise money and awareness of working conditions in the tea industry? There are many green tea recipes available. People are actively looking for different ways to enjoy green tea. While green tea is delicious simply mixed with hot water, there's nothing wrong with switching it up from time to time, especially on International Tea Day!

An easy and delicious recipe is the Matcha Meringue Kisses. To make this dish, you will need Matcha, sugar, egg whites and powdered sugar. Start by sifting the Matcha and powdered sugar together, and then whisk the egg whites until they have soft peaks. Add sugar and stir until stiff peaks are reached. Gently roll the Matcha into this mixture and then move to a pastry bag. Pour the mixture into small kisses on a baking tray and then bake for about an hour.

Or, why not make green tea donuts? To do this, you need green tea, honey, melted butter, milk, eggs, salt, baking powder, and sugar and cake flour. You whip the mixture of green tea, salt, baking powder, sugar, and tapioca. Add honey, melted butter, milk and eggs, then whisk. Use a pastry bag to place the dough into the mold. Then just bake the donuts for eight minutes. You can make your own glaze for topping - the chocolate is so good!

Other mouthwatering baked goods you should try include green tea muffins, macaroons, and shortbreads!