“Ek kap chaaye ami tomake chai…” (In a cup of tea, I want you…). Singer Kabir Suman in his lyrics perfectly encapsulate how deeply tea is woven into the fabric of our lives. Whether it is a morning ritual to reinvigorate the soul, a companion during a melancholy hour, or a comfort on a rain-soaked afternoon, tea remains the world’s most consumed beverage after water.
Every year, on 21 May, the world pauses to celebrate International Tea Day, a tribute to this humble leaf that transcends borders and cultures.
The story of tea is steeped in ancient mystery. The discovery of hot tea occurred nearly 5,000 years ago when a Chinese emperor sat beneath a tree with a cup of hot water. A few stray leaves drifted into his cup, and upon tasting the resulting brew, he was instantly enchanted.
While the literal truth of this tale remains a matter of folklore, the enduring friendship between humanity and tea is an undeniable historical fact.
China is recognized as the ancestral birthplace of tea, where commercial production began as early as 1650 AD. The journey of the brew continued into India in 1818, but it was in 1855 that the British discovered indigenous tea plants in Sylhet.
This discovery paved the way for the first commercial tea cultivation at the Malnicherra tea estate in 1857, marking the beginning of an industry that would become a cornerstone of the Bangladeshi economy. Today, tea is not just a cultural staple but one of the nation’s primary cash crops.
The scale of global tea consumption is truly staggering. Data suggests that humans consume 25,000 cups of tea every second, totaling more than two billion cups daily. Beyond its refreshing taste, tea is celebrated for its medicinal properties, offering both mental satisfaction and physical benefits. The formal recognition of this beverage began in 2005, when tea-producing nations – including Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Vietnam, Indonesia, Kenya, Malaysia, Uganda, India, and Tanzania – initially observed the day on 21 December.
In 2019, the date was shifted to 21 May, and following a proposal by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, the first official UN-sanctioned International Tea Day was celebrated in 2020.
In Bangladesh, while Liquor Tea and Milk Tea are the most ubiquitous, the variety is endless. From Spice tea and Saffron tea to more unconventional brews like Chilli tea, Hibiscus tea, and Jute leaf tea, the palette is diverse. In countries like China, the preparation of tea has even been elevated to the level of a fine art.
As we mark another International Tea Day, there is no better way to celebrate than by hosting a tea gathering with loved ones. For those seeking a deeper connection, a visit to the tea-growing regions offers a firsthand look at how this “valuable beverage” is produced, from the verdant gardens to the final steaming cup.
