International Tea Day: 10 Fun Facts About Tea That Will Surprise You

Liputan6.com, Jakarta - Every year on May 21, the world comes together to celebrate International Tea Day. This is a special day to honor tea and its long, rich history. Tea is more than just a drink. It is a symbol of culture, community, and connection across the globe.

Tea has been part of human life for thousands of years. People in many countries drink it every morning, share it with guests, and use it in ceremonies and traditions. From the mountains of China to the hills of India, tea has a story to tell everywhere you go.

In this article, we have collected 10 surprising facts about tea to celebrate International Tea Day. Some of these facts may completely change the way you see your daily cup. Keep reading and you might just discover something that truly amazes you.

Tea has a history of more than 5,000 years. That makes it one of the oldest drinks ever made by humans. Long before coffee or juice became popular, people in ancient China were already brewing and enjoying tea as part of their daily lives.

After water, tea is the most popular drink on Earth. Around three billion cups of tea are consumed every single day around the world. In countries like China, India, and Turkey, tea is not just a drink. It is a deeply important part of everyday culture.

According to an old Chinese legend, tea was discovered by Emperor Shennong in 2737 BC. One day, some leaves from a nearby tree fell into his pot of boiling water. He tasted the liquid and loved it. This happy accident gave the world one of its most beloved drinks.

Black tea, green tea, white tea, oolong, and pu-erh all come from one plant called Camellia sinensis. The differences in flavor and color come from how the leaves are processed after harvesting. Oxidation, fermentation, and drying methods are what create all the variety we enjoy today.

In ancient China, Tibet, and Mongolia, tea was pressed into hard bricks and used as money. People traded these tea bricks for horses, food, and other goods. Because tea was portable, durable, and in high demand, it made a very practical form of currency for hundreds of years.

Earl Grey tea is named after Sir Charles Grey, a British Prime Minister in the early 19th century. He received a gift of black tea flavored with bergamot oil and loved it so much that merchants were asked to recreate it. The tea has carried his name ever since.

Some teas, especially pu-erh and certain oolong varieties, can be stored and aged for years or even decades. Just like fine wine, aging can deepen and improve the flavor of tea. Rare aged teas are highly prized by collectors and can sell for up to 1.2 million dollars per kilogram.

One of the most unusual teas in the world is fertilized entirely with panda feces. A Chinese entrepreneur created this tea, claiming that the nutrients from what pandas eat are absorbed into the soil and into the tea leaves. A single cup of this exotic tea can cost up to 200 dollars.

In 1908, a New York tea merchant named Thomas Sullivan sent tea samples to customers in small silk bags. The bags were meant to be opened, but customers brewed the tea while it was still inside. Sullivan saw how convenient this was and began producing tea bags intentionally. A simple mistake changed the tea industry forever.

Matcha green tea was first used by Buddhist monks in Japan to help them stay awake and focused during long hours of meditation. The tea gave them calm energy without making them feel restless. Over time, it became popular among the upper class and eventually spread to the rest of the world.