International Tea Day

 

Today is International Tea Day, which annually acknowledges the global popularity and widespread love for this versatile beverage as well as its origins, health benefits, and how it also promotes community worldwide. In the UK alone, a total of approximately 100 million cups of tea are consumed every day, which adds up to an estimated 36 billion cups annually. We’re sure to love our tea! Nevertheless, this agricultural commodity and humble beverage is loved by different countries and cultures globally and is widely exported, traded and exchanged between different nations. As well as having a huge variety of health benefits, this widely loved beverage also has a huge variety of health benefits and fascinating historical origins. So, feel free to put the kettle on and pour yourself a brew as we delve into the history, benefits and other wonderful things associated with tea.

 

History and Origin of International Tea Day

 

Camellia Sinensis, the tea plant, is thought to have first originated in the borderlands of China. The concept of making this a part of a well-loved beverage, however, is said to have occurred when one of the servants of Chinese emperor Shen Nung served him boiled drinking water where some leaves from this plant had blown into the water. Rather than turning down the beverage, Shen Nung decided to drink this accidental infusion anyway – and from this, it is said that tea was born. Nevertheless, there are uncertainties regarding whether this was the true origin story of tea, but evidence does suggest that China was where tea was both cultivated and first consumed as early as 6,000 years ago, with the earliest evidence of its consumption dating back to 2737 BC.

 

The cultivation and consumption of tea eventually emerged in Europe in the late sixteenth century, although this was mostly reported amongst Portuguese individuals living in the East as missionaries and traders. It soon also became a popular beverage among the Dutch after they started to ship back tea for commercial purposes and eventually through a trading post established in the island of Java at the start of the seventeenth century, where the first batch of tea was transported from China to Holland. Soon, it started to make its way through other countries within the western region of Europe. It eventually became a popular beverage in Britain amongst the wealthy after the marriage of Charles II to Portuguese princess Catherine of Braganza, whose love of the beverage influenced a rise in its popularity and fashionable status across the wealthy classes in Britain. Eventually, the East India Company, which had had a monopoly on importing goods from outside Europe, began to capitalise on the growing popularity of tea and started to import this agricultural commodity as well, with the first order consisting of at least 100 lbs of tea to be transported to Britain from Java in 1664.

 

Modern-day tea drinking…

 

Today, the modern way of consuming tea involves the infamous tea bag, which became all the range in Britain during the 1970s. British enthusiasm for and love of tea has also played a crucial part into growing their empire as a tea trader, with many British companies leading in the world’s tea trade and dominating within this specific market. Some of the most famous British brands which you may recognise are PG Tips, Tetley, Twinings and Yorkshire Tea. One of these may even be a personal favourite of your own! Or you may even prefer a herbal brew, with popular types being peppermint, chamomile, hibiscus, ginger and lemon balm. As well as being caffeine-free, herbal teas can also generally have calming, soothing and healing properties as well as a range of health benefits.

 

Health Benefits of a Brew…

 

Black tea is known to be filled with antioxidant properties and have various health benefits. In terms of physical health, it is thought to decrease your chances of developing cardiovascular problems, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure, all likely because of black tea containing flavonoids (a group of antioxidants thought to improve and maintain good health health). It may also improve gut health, lower the risk of certain cancers and can also help to enhance focus, alertness and mental clarity. It is also thought that tea can even improve bone health (particularly green tea, according to data extracted from animal studies). All in all, the range of cardiovascular, metabolic, physical and cognitive health benefits associated with the consumption of tea make it a very appealing choice of beverage for all. Herbal teas, as mentioned earlier, also carry a range of health benefits themselves, including anxiety and stress reduction, improved digestion and immunity, better sleep and various other benefits. Below, you will find a list of different herbal teas and the health benefits associated with them.

  • Peppermint: Digestive help, as well as headache and sinus relief due to menthol content.
  • Ginger: Can also aid with digestion, relieve nausea and motion sickness and soothe cold symptoms (particularly if combined with lemon)!
  • Hibiscus: Can lower blood pressure and enhance cardiovascular health and function.
  • Rosehip: Rich in antioxidant and Vitamin C and can help to lower inflammation.
  • Lavendar: Has soothing properties which aid with relaxation as well as relieving stress and anxiety. Can also help with sleep and enhance sleep quality.
  • Chamomile: Has similar calming properties as Lavendar tea and can also help with sleep improvement and stress relief.
  • Lemon Balm: Mental health benefits including a reduction in stress and anxiety as well as enhanced mood.

 

 

Recommendations…

 

We may have tempted you to brew up another cup of tea, but have we also inspired a further interest in tea within you as well, including the many benefits it has to offer

By Rachel Downie

Photo by Matt Griss

Go on and have a biscuit with our biscuit day post