Proclaimed by the United Nations, the International Tea Day is observed on May 21 each year.
According to the UN, the observance is meant 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. The tea-producing countries have been urged to integrate climate change challenges, both on the adaptation and mitigation front, into their national tea development strategies.
"Tea is a beverage made from the Camellia sinesis plant. Tea is the world’s most consumed drink, after water. It is believed that tea originated in northeast India, north Myanmar and southwest China, but the exact place where the plant first grew is not known. Tea has been with us for a long time. There is evidence that tea was consumed in China 5,000 years ago," informs the UN website.
It has been informed that tea consumption could bring health benefits and wellness due to the beverage's anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and weight loss effects.
Further, tea also has cultural significance in many societies like in Japan.
Also, 'tea production and processing constitutes a main source of livelihoods for millions of families in developing countries and is the main means of subsistence for millions of poor families, who live in a number of least developed countries.'
Some people who believe in folk wisdom recommend the tea tree oil in diluted form for cleaning and disinfect surfaces in around the house because of its germ killing properties in the present times of COVID-19 pandemic.
It is believed that green, black and herbal teas have the antioxidant and antibacterial properties.
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