Today, 21st April, the United Kingdom celebrates National Tea Day, their drink of choice for the past two centuries. I am one of those rare people who prefer tea over coffee. In fact, I don’t drink coffee at all. I have never been a coffee person. I just don’t like the taste of it.
Why do I love tea?
Growing up in primarily a coffee drinking household, I stayed away from the bean and tea was something I would drink regularly and enjoy. There’s just something about a cup of tea that is so relaxing.
It’s no secret that drinking tea is good for you. Numerous studies have shown that a variety of teas may boost your immune system, fight off inflammation, and even ward off cancer and heart disease. While some brews provide more health advantages than others, there’s plenty of evidence that regularly drinking tea can have a lasting impact on your wellness.
My favorite tea
I drink almost every type of tea there is. But, of course, I have a few favorites:
- For me, the best way to start a day is with a hot cup of fresh honey and lemon tea. It’s healthy and very simple to make; just honey, lemon juice, and hot water.
- Fresh mint tea is a tasty, calming drink which smells delightful. Whether you’re curling up on the couch with a good book, or just finishing up dinner, there is something about mint that just relaxes the mind and soothes the stomach.
- Ever had real, fresh ginger tea? It’s soothing and invigorating at the same time. I love it!
Celebrating tea
For a lot of us tea-lovers who drink tea on a daily basis, it is easy to forget that tea can be a cause for celebration. That’s why tea holidays exist. There are many holidays, as well as special weeks and months, dedicated to tea in the UK, the USA, and around the world:
- January: National Hot Tea Month. There’s nothing quite like a good cup of tea for creating a good start – to a new year or just a new day.
- 21 April: National Tea Day (UK).
- 21 May: International Tea Day. According to the UN, the day aims to raise awareness of the long history and the deep cultural and economic significance of tea around the world. The goal of International Tea Day is to promote and foster collective actions to implement activities in favour of the sustainable production and consumption of tea and raise awareness of its importance in fighting hunger and poverty.
- June: Earl Grey Month. June is for celebrating the world’s most popular flavoured tea; Earl Grey. Every tea drinker knows Earl Grey tea, but few people know that the tea is named after Charles, the 2nd Earl of Grey and British Prime Minister from 1830 to 1834. There are many interesting myths and stories of how black tea and bergamot were partnered, and why it was named after Earl Grey.
- 10 June: Iced Tea Day. A day to celebrate one of summer’s favorite drinks.
- 2nd Monday in August: This day marks the start of Afternoon Tea Week (UK).
- 21 September: National Chai Day. Chai, also referred to as Masala chai, is a sweet Indian tea beverage with a slight hint of spiciness, traditionally consisting of aromatic spices like cardamom, nutmeg, cinnamon, and pepper.
“Tea is a part of daily life.
It is as simple as eating when hungry and drinking when thirsty.“
~Yamamoto Soshun
