There are many holidays, as well as special weeks and months, dedicated to tea in the UK, the USA, and around the world. Let’s take a look at nine tea-related holidays in the coming year, and how you can observe them.
National Tea Day (UK)
National Tea Day in the UK takes place every year on April 21. Tea is a huge part of UK culture, and many residents go all out for this special occasion. A festival (or fest-tea-val) is held every year to mark the day, including a myriad of tea tastings, talks on tea, tea blending experiences, and tea parties.
How You Can Celebrate: If you’re a UK resident, consider attending the Fes-Tea-Val held for National Tea Day. If you don’t live close enough or otherwise can’t attend, consider holding your own tea festival for tea-loving friends. Put together a tea tasting, or try creating a personalized tea blend together and enjoying the results with all the trappings of a British tea party.
National Bubble Tea Day (US)
The tradition of National Bubble Tea Day began in 2018 as a way to commemorate the popular cold treat invented in Taiwan in the 1980s, and is celebrated yearly on April 30. Bubble tea is made by combining strong iced tea with a sweetened creamer and a wide variety of toppings and add-ins. The most popular add-ins are the titular “bubbles,” or boba, which are made from tapioca.
How You Can Celebrate: Treat yourself to some bubble tea! As bubble tea has become more popular in the US, specialty shops have become more and more common. Do some research to see if there is one near you. If not, try making your own bubble tea by picking up some boba bubbles online, or at a grocery store, and adding them to some sweetened, iced milk tea. Make sure you have a straw that is wide enough to fit the boba!
National Iced Tea Month (US)
When the weather gets warmer, the tea has to get cooler! National Iced Tea Month is celebrated in the United States every June. Tea isn’t just for cozying up with in winter or staying awake on a dreary, grey day. It’s also great for cooling off and feeling refreshed in the heat of summer. The first of the summer months is the perfect time to celebrate the diversity and versatility of tea all year long!
How You Can Celebrate: Experiment with different kinds of iced tea. Drink your old favorites, and try things you’ve never tried before. There are 30 whole days of National Iced Tea Month, so you’ve got plenty of time. Try making Thai iced tea, sun tea, carbonated iced tea, sweet tea, an Arnold Palmer sangria, tea ice pops, spiced iced tea -- and if you run out of ideas, here are 12 more iced tea recipes to try.
National Iced Tea Day (US)
All the fun of National Iced Tea Month is concentrated into one day on June 10: National Iced Tea Day. It’s the perfect opportunity to show off all your new iced tea discoveries to your friends by hosting an iced tea party out in the garden or on the porch.
How You Can Celebrate: Create a beautiful and refreshing iced tea bar and invite friends and family to come and enjoy. Don't forget the snacks!
Earl Grey Month
We’ll admit it, this is a holiday we at Plum Deluxe declared ourselves, but we think Earl Grey tea deserves its own month! Join us each June to celebrate one of the most popular and enduring blends of black tea. Initially blended for Earl Charles Grey, this bergamot-infused classic has become an international favorite.
How You Can Celebrate: Get creative with your everyday Earl Grey! Make yourself an Earl Grey tea latte, some decadent Earl Grey brownies, an Earl Grey cocktail, or even some Earl Grey cardamom ice cream! If you’re looking for a new take on your daily cuppa, try one of our unique Earl Grey blends like our Gratitude strawberry Earl Grey tea, Queen's Blend Earl Grey with lemon, or Delightful Morning lavender Earl Grey tea.
National Cream Tea Day (UK)
A celebration of the ritual of tea in British culture, Cream Tea Day is celebrated each year on the last Friday in June. A proper cream tea can be considered its own light afternoon meal, featuring tea alongside scones, jam, and clotted cream.
How You Can Celebrate: Host or attend a cream tea with friends! Set aside an afternoon to relax and chat over good tea and good scones. You can even try making your own scones, like these British strawberry scones or peach cardamom scones.
National Chai Day
Enjoying close to 5,000 years of popularity, the Indian invention of masala chai has become a staple in the lives of millions. Consisting of strong, spiced black tea steeped in milk or cream, chai is appreciated every day but celebrated on September 21. Whether you drink chai on a regular basis or only on special occasions, take some time to savor a spicy cup on National Chai Day.
How You Can Celebrate: Stop into your favorite Indian restaurant or cafe to get a genuine, soul-warming cup of masala chai. Or, get creative in the kitchen and make your own chai with this helpful guide.
International Tea Day
Both a celebration of a favorite beverage and a call for fair trade and justice, International Tea Day takes place every December 15. It’s a great time to be mindful of how tea and the business of tea impacts your life, your community, and your world.
How You Can Celebrate: Take some time to research where your tea comes from, how it is harvested, and how it is made. Drink a cup of tea you feel good about. (FYI: Plum Deluxe teas are all made from fair trade and fairly traded ingredients.)
National Hot Tea Month
Start the new year off right by warding off the cold with an entire month dedicated to hot tea. January is National Hot Tea Month, which gives you the perfect excuse to take a moment to pause and breathe deeply, enjoying the steam rising from your tea and the feeling of warmth from the mug seeping into your hands.
How You Can Celebrate: If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to practice better self-care, National Tea month is a great time to develop a tea ritual for yourself. Tea rituals are a great way to turn a potentially mindless activity like brewing tea into a moment of mindfulness and self-love.
