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International Tea Day : "Sustainable Tea for a Healthy Planet"

 

Every year on May 21, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) celebrates International Tea Day, recognizing tea as more than just a beverage—it’s a global livelihood, a cultural cornerstone, and a driver of sustainable development. The 2025 theme, "Sustainable Tea for a Healthy Planet," highlights the urgent need to protect tea ecosystems while ensuring fair futures for farmers.

Why Tea Matters in 2025

1. A Lifeline for Millions

  • Tea supports 13 million livelihoods, mostly smallholder farmers in Asia and Africa.

  • Women comprise 70% of tea pluckers but own just 2% of land (FAO).

2. Climate Crisis Threatens Tea Quality

  • Rising temperatures could reduce tea-growing areas by 40% by 2050 (UNEP).

  • Erratic rainfall alters flavor profiles—Darjeeling’s "Champagne of Teas" is at risk.

3. The Plastic Problem

  • 20 billion plastic tea bags are used yearly; most aren’t compostable.

  • Microplastics have been found in tea from synthetic bags.

2025 Theme: "Sustainable Tea for a Healthy Planet"

Three Key Priorities

✔ Regenerative Farming

  • Kenya’s "Trees for Tea" program plants shade trees to reduce soil erosion.

  • India’s Darjeeling estates now use 100% organic methods.

✔ Fair Wages & Gender Equity

  • "Equal Tea" certification guarantees living wages (pioneered in Sri Lanka).

  • Rwanda’s women-led co-ops now export directly to global markets.

✔ Zero-Waste Innovations

  • UK’s "Tea Cycle" turns used leaves into biofuel.

  • Compostable tea bags from cornstarch gain traction.

How to Celebrate Responsibly

For Tea Drinkers

  • Choose loose-leaf tea or plastic-free brands (e.g., Pukka, Numi).

  • Reuse leaves as garden fertilizer or DIY skincare.

For Businesses

  • Adopt blockchain tracing to prove ethical sourcing (e.g., Tata Tea’s "Farm to Cup").

  • Switch to biodegradable packaging (Mariage Frères leads in France).

For Advocates

  • Support FAO’s Tea Sustainability Fund.

  • Petition governments to ban plastic tea bags.

Success Stories

  • China’s Ancient Tea Forests became a UNESCO Heritage Site in 2024.

  • Tea Workers’ Union of Malawi secured healthcare access for 5,000 families.

  • Japan’s "Upcycled Matcha" turns imperfect leaves into cosmetics.

Call to Action

"This International Tea Day:

  1. Sip mindfully—choose fair trade, organic, or loose-leaf.

  2. Learn about your tea’s origin (try the "Tea Tracker" app).

  3. Demand transparency from brands.

Every cup can be a catalyst for change."

  1. Quiz: "What Does Your Tea Habit Say About You?"

  2. Infographic: "The Lifecycle of a Tea Leaf" (From soil to cup).

  3. DIY Video: "Brew the Perfect Sustainable Cuppa."

"Tea is wealth itself, because there is nothing that cannot be lost, no problem that will not disappear, no burden that will not float away, between the first sip and the last."

 
— The Book of Tea, Kakuzō Okakura

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