International Tea Day (December 15): History, Purpose & Ways to Celebrate

For millions of people in South Asia and East Africa, the day does not really start until the first cup of tea. International Tea Day on December 15 celebrates that much-loved drink — and, just as importantly, the tea workers and small growers who produce it. The date is especially meaningful in tea-producing countries such as India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal and Kenya.

Two Dates, One Drink: December 15 vs May 21

There are actually two International Tea Days, and it helps to know the difference.

Feature	December 15	May 21
Started	2005	2020
Started by	Trade unions and civil society groups in tea-producing countries	United Nations General Assembly (resolution adopted December 2019)
Main focus	Fair wages and better conditions for tea workers and small growers	Sustainable tea production and its role in fighting hunger and poverty
Led by	Workers’ groups, NGOs, tea communities	UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
Where it is marked	India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Vietnam, Indonesia, Kenya, Malawi, Malaysia, Uganda, Tanzania	Worldwide

The UN picked May because it is the start of the quality tea season in most producing countries. Many tea communities, however, still mark the original December 15 date.

How December 15 Began

The idea grew out of discussions among trade unions and workers’ organisations at the World Social Forum in 2004 and early 2005. Their goal was to draw attention to the hard realities behind every cup: low wages, poor housing and limited healthcare and clean water on many plantations. The first International Tea Day was held in New Delhi on December 15, 2005, led by the Centre for Education and Communication. Sri Lanka followed with celebrations in Kandy in 2006 and again in 2008, often alongside Global Tea Conferences.

In 2015, India’s government proposed that the UN Food and Agriculture Organization expand the observance worldwide. That effort eventually led to the UN’s decision to recognise May 21 as the official global date.

👉 See every observance on this date: December 15 Holidays and Observances

Why It Matters

Tea is one of the most widely consumed drinks on Earth after water. Its production supports millions of families, many of them on small farms or in remote estate communities. In countries like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Kenya, tea is also a major export that brings in foreign income. Yet the people who pluck the leaves by hand are often among the lowest paid workers in the supply chain. International Tea Day asks consumers, companies and governments to remember that a fair cup of tea depends on fair treatment of the people who grow it.

Major Tea-Producing Countries

Country	Famous Teas or Regions
China	Green tea, oolong, pu-erh
India	Assam, Darjeeling, Nilgiri
Kenya	Strong black teas, largely for blends
Sri Lanka	Ceylon tea from hill regions such as Nuwara Eliya
Vietnam	Green and black teas
Bangladesh	Sylhet and Chattogram hill gardens

Tea in Bangladesh

Bangladesh has a long tea history. The country’s first commercial tea garden, Malnicherra in Sylhet, was established in 1854, and today most tea estates sit in the green hills of Sylhet division and the Chattogram region. Tea garden workers, many from communities brought to the estates during British rule, still form the backbone of the industry. For Bangladeshi readers, December 15 is a good moment to appreciate both the daily cup of “cha” and the families whose work makes it possible.

Ways to Celebrate

1. Brew a tea from a country you have never tried — Kenyan, Ceylon or Darjeeling.
2. Look for Fairtrade or ethically certified tea brands when you shop.
3. Host a tea tasting with friends and compare black, green, oolong and herbal teas.
4. Learn how your favourite tea is grown and processed.
5. Try a regional recipe such as masala chai, Sylheti seven-layer tea or Moroccan mint tea.
6. Share a photo of your cup with #InternationalTeaDay and tag where it was grown.

Quick Guide to Tea Types

• Black tea: Fully oxidised leaves; strong flavour; used for chai and breakfast blends.
• Green tea: Not oxidised; light, grassy taste.
• Oolong: Partly oxidised; sits between green and black.
• White tea: Young leaves and buds, lightly processed.
• Herbal “tea”: Made from other plants like mint or chamomile, so technically not true tea.

International Tea Day Dates (December 15)

Year	Date	Day of the Week
2026	December 15	Tuesday
2027	December 15	Wednesday
2028	December 15	Friday
2029	December 15	Saturday
2030	December 15	Sunday

👉 See all December observances: December Holidays Calendar

Frequently Asked Questions