International Tea Day has been celebrated since 2005 on December 15th in tea producing countries like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Vietnam, Indonesia, Kenya, Malawi, Malaysia, Uganda, India and Tanzania.

In 2005, a group of tea workers from India got together and created International Tea Day. The idea is to share the plight of tea workers and to shed more light on the industry and its work force. The living environments are often substandard and the wages are extremely low. Besides, the children that are raised on the estates are exposed to pesticides and deplorable living arrangements.

Now in its eleventh year, the purpose of International Tea Day remains the same. Tea consumers that are aware of the scenario can demand for improvements in the situations and salaries within the industry.

Furthermore, it’s a celebration that draws public attention to the problems of tea production. This includes the impact of the global tea trade on workers of the tea plantations, small growers and consumers. Enjoying an extra cup of tea can be a good way to celebrate the event.