National Tea Day is a holiday that is observed annually in the United Kingdom every April 21st, but it is a day that can honestly be observed by anyone, anywhere in the world. This day is observed by people gathering in cafes, hotels, pubs, tea rooms, and even at special events.

It’s also a day during which numerous charitable fundraising events are held—one of the most prominent being an event at Chiswick House & Gardens in London. Everyone who loves tea can feel free to take this day to celebrate this iconic drink, a drink that has been enjoyed by humans for thousands of years.

The History of National Tea Day

According to legend, tea was first enjoyed in China around 2,700 BCE. It originated, as so many foods and beverages have over the years, as a medicinal beverage that was made by boiling fresh leaves in water. However, during the 3rd century CE, it became a daily drink for many Chinese. By 350, the planting and processing of tea leaves became common, and by 800, some of the first tea seeds were brought to Japan.

In 1836, the British introduced the concept of tea culture to India. Initially, India used seeds from China to grow their tea plants, but then they switched over to tea plants that were discovered in the Indian state of Assam. During the early 17th century, the Dutch East India Company carried the first consignment of Chinese tea to Europe. In 1669, they brought tea to the London market.

The influence of tea and tea culture continued to grow around the world during the 19th and 20th centuries. It spread across Russia, and Iran, across the African continent, into South America, and into Australia. Now, people all over the world enjoy tea, so it’s no surprise that National Tea Day is a holiday not only in the United Kingdom, where it originated, but also around the world.

Unfortunately, at this time, we do not know who specifically invented this holiday or why April 21st was chosen, but we will continue our research and update this section if we ever find out.

Some Important Facts About Tea

Below are some important facts about tea that we thought everyone celebrating National Tea Day would find interesting. These facts are the result of a lot of hard work and attention to detail, so we hope they please everyone who reads through them.

• There are more than 3,000 different varieties of tea.
• Although there is more caffeine in a pound of tea than in a pound of coffee, a cup of coffee ends up with more caffeine because more coffee is used for brewing.
• Tea bags were invented by Thomas Sullivan, who sold samples of tea in fine silk pouches. People just ended up placing the whole bag into hot water.
• People should avoid drinking black tea while eating because it can affect the absorption of certain vitamins and minerals, such as iron.

Observing National Tea Day

In the United Kingdom, this holiday is widely observed, so people can find a tea gathering just about anywhere. And people in the UK can use this holiday to get a free cuppa.

Although we won’t list the individual cafes, restaurants, and pubs that hand out free cups of tea, we will say that they aren’t hard to find if one is committed. Everyone is also encouraged to spread the word about this holiday using the hashtag #NationalTeaDay on social media.