One of the interesting and lesser-known dates is the Internation Tea Day. It’s celebrated every year on May 21. Today we’ll talk about tea and see why the International Tea Day is celebrated. And, we’ll also see some related stamps.
“You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me.” - C.S. Lewis
Tea has a long history that began in China, where legend says Emperor Shen Nung discovered it by accident when tea leaves fell into boiling water. Whether the story is true or not, tea drinking became an important part of Chinese culture many centuries ago, especially during the Tang dynasty.
Selected Tea Ware from China and the World
Hong Kong - 2024
From China, tea spread to Japan through Buddhist monks, where it later became connected with the famous Japanese tea ceremony. Tea reached Europe much later, first appearing among traders and missionaries before the Dutch began importing it commercially in the early 1600s. In Britain, tea was at first a luxury drink for the wealthy, but it became fashionable after Catherine of Braganza, the Portuguese wife of King Charles II, helped popularize it at court. Over time, tea became cheaper and more widely available, especially after large-scale tea production developed in India and Sri Lanka. By the 19th and 20th centuries, tea had become a daily drink in Britain and an important part of everyday life. Today, tea is enjoyed around the world in many different forms, from traditional loose-leaf tea to modern tea bags.
International Tea Day began in New Delhi in 2005 as a way to raise awareness about the needs, rights, and working conditions of people employed in the tea industry. In the following years, the event gradually spread to other tea-producing countries, including Sri Lanka and Nepal, supported by Global Tea Conferences and trade unions. In December 2019, the United Nations General Assembly officially declared International Tea Day, giving the celebration wider global recognition. The first UN-recognized international celebration was held the following May. Today, the day highlights the cultural and economic importance of tea, while also supporting several UN sustainability goals, including reducing poverty, empowering women, and promoting the sustainable use of land and ecosystems.
“Tea! Bless ordinary everyday afternoon tea!” - Agatha Christie
International Tea Day
UN - 2023
“The origins of tea stretch back more than 5 000 years, but its contributions to health, culture and socioeconomic development are still as relevant today. Tea is currently grown in very localized areas, and supports over 13 million people, including smallholder farmers and their households, who depend on the tea sector for their livelihoods.
International Tea Day is an opportunity to celebrate the cultural heritage, health benefits and economic importance of tea, while working to make its production sustainable “from field to cup” ensuring its benefits for people, cultures and the environment continue for generations.
Recognizing the long history and the cultural and economic significance of tea around the world, as well as the significant role it plays in rural development, poverty reduction and food security in developing countries, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 21 May as International Tea Day, calling on FAO to lead the observance.
Tea production and processing are a main source of livelihoods for millions of families. The celebration promotes the sustainable production, consumption, and trade of tea, and offers an opportunity for actors at global, regional and national levels to ensure that the tea sector continues to play a role in reducing extreme poverty, fighting hunger and safeguarding natural resources.” - www.fao.org
“I say let the world go to hell, but I should always have my tea.” - Fyodor Dostoevsky
Today, we’ve looked at some tea-related stamps and also seen two beautiful tea-themed stamp sets. While you wait for the next article, feel free to check out some of our previous articles.
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