National Hot Tea Day is celebrated every year on January 12th, giving tea lovers a reason to savor a warm cup during one of the coldest stretches of winter.
History of National Hot Tea Day
Tea has one of the longest histories of any beverage in the world, with legend crediting Chinese Emperor Shen Nung with discovering tea around 2737 BCE, when tea leaves are said to have accidentally blown into a pot of boiling water he was drinking. From there, tea drinking spread throughout Asia over centuries, becoming deeply woven into Chinese and later Japanese culture, before eventually making its way to Europe in the 17th century through trade routes.
Tea became especially popular in Britain, evolving into a cultural institution with its own rituals and traditions, including afternoon tea. Tea drinking in America has its own complicated history too, tied closely to events like the Boston Tea Party, which for a time made tea drinking a politically charged choice. Today, tea remains one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world, second only to water, and National Hot Tea Day gives tea drinkers a dedicated moment to celebrate it, right in the heart of winter.
How to Celebrate National Hot Tea Day
- Brew your favorite cup of hot tea and take a moment to slow down and enjoy it
- Try a new tea variety or blend you’ve never had before
- Visit a local tea shop or cafe
- Host a small tea tasting with friends or family
- Learn proper brewing times and temperatures for different types of tea
Fun Facts About Tea
- Tea is the second most consumed beverage in the world, behind only water.
- All true teas, including black, green, white, and oolong, come from the same plant, Camellia sinensis; the differences come from how the leaves are processed.
- Herbal “teas,” like chamomile or peppermint, aren’t technically tea at all, since they don’t come from the tea plant and are more accurately called tisanes.
- Green tea is less processed than black tea, which is why it retains a lighter color and different flavor profile.
- Using water that’s too hot can make delicate teas, like green tea, taste bitter, which is why proper brewing temperature matters.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is National Hot Tea Day?
National Hot Tea Day is celebrated annually on January 12th.
What’s the difference between black tea and green tea?
Both come from the same tea plant, but black tea is fully oxidized during processing, giving it a darker color and bolder flavor, while green tea is minimally processed, preserving a lighter color and more delicate taste.
Is herbal tea considered real tea?
Not technically. True teas come from the Camellia sinensis plant, while herbal teas, more accurately called tisanes, are made from other plants, flowers, or herbs and don’t contain any actual tea leaves.
What’s the best water temperature for brewing tea?
It varies by type: delicate teas like green and white tea generally brew best with slightly cooler water, while black tea and herbal blends typically hold up well to fully boiling water.