A Toast to Tea

In 2005, trade unions and small tea growers in civil societies (Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Uganda, Nepal, Kenya and Indonesia) began the International Tea Day movement as a way to help ensure fair prices and living wages for tea workers worldwide. Fourteen years later, the United Nations General Assembly officially designated May 21st as International Tea Day to commemorate the long history and deep cultural, economic and health benefits of tea. This day also spotlights the importance of sustainable tea production and consumption to help reduce extreme poverty, fight hunger and empower women who account for approximately 70% of the coffee work force. As you sip your favorite brew, give a silent shout out to the 13 million people around the globe who make every cup possible. To show appreciation for the enjoyment that the simple pleasure of having a cup of tea brings…a toast to tea! 

Sip, Sip Hooray!

The origins of tea date back more than 5,000 years to China. Legend has it that the servant of Shen Nung, a Chinese ruler and herbalist, was boiling a pot of water when some leaves blew in from a nearby wild tea tree. Nung found the smell to be pleasing, so he tasted the (accidental) infusion, found it refreshing and named it “ch’a” meaning “to inquire.” The rest is history. Other than water, tea is the world’s oldest and most consumed beverage, with an impressive five billion cups of tea served each day. Since tea cultivation is an ancient process, it makes sense that countries most commonly thought of as tea producers would be China, Japan and India, but in actuality, tea is grown all around the world, including the US. The Charleston Tea Garden on Wadmalaw Island is the only large-scale commercial tea plantation in the United States, but there are plenty of smaller tea growers in the southern states, and just up the road a bit, Maryland’s Heron’s Meadow Farm has enjoyed tea farming success for the past decade (from tea plants purchased from a North Carolina nursery). Climate, geographical location, altitude and soil all play a role in the quality of leaves on the tea plant, and different regions lend themselves to different types of tea. As it turns out, volcanic soil in Hawaii is ideal for growing all types of tea and, due to the moderate climate and lots of rain, tea plants thrive in Oregon and Washington, too.  

From Leaf to Cup

There are approximately 1,500 tea varieties in the world but only four basic types of tea. Believe it or not, they are all derived from the same plant – Camellia sinensis, a species of evergreen shrub. One of the major differentiating factors between the four types of tea is the degree of oxidation that it undergoes. Black tea is fully oxidized which gives it a darker color. Oolong tea is semi-oxidized with an oxidation level of 30-80%. Green tea is less oxidized than black and oolong teas, so it retains more of its natural color. And, white tea (when brewed it is actually pale yellow) is minimally processed and harvested from the first buds of the plant that are covered in fine white hairs, “hao.” “Tea” from any other plant (i.e. hibiscus flowers) is not truly tea – it is labeled as such because of the way it is generally steeped. 

Global Tea Party

From ancient rituals to modern tea rooms, tea has been a cornerstone of many civilizations, shaping traditions and daily life across the continents. Around the world, teatime is a coveted time of the day that provides a moment of relaxation and fosters connection with friends and family. A few global teatime practices: 

• China: China has a deep-rooted tea culture with traditions like the gongfu tea ceremony that emphasizes a moment of respect and hospitality.
• India: Known for masala chai, a spiced tea blend made with milk and sugar, symbolizing hospitality, friendship and togetherness.
• Japan: Japanese tea ceremony, or chanoyu, is a centuries-old ritual, focusing on harmony, respect and tranquility. 
• Morocco: Mint tea is a brewed blend of green tea, fresh mint leaves and a lot of sugar; symbol of hospitality.
• Korea: Green tea is often served with traditional Korean sweets; an important part of social gatherings as a symbol of unity and friendship.
• Argentina: Yerbe mate is a traditional tea consumed from a hollowed-out gourd and symbolizes friendship, community and hospitality.

“Tea is a ritual, an art that nourishes the soul.” ~ Unknown