May 21 marks the celebration of International Tea Day, established by the United Nations to raise awareness of the economic, cultural, and social importance of tea on a global scale. This observance offers an opportunity to explore the deeper meaning of a product that, in addition to being part of the daily lives of millions, lies at the heart of numerous academic fields — from history to geography, from economics to environmental sustainability, and from food science to cultural anthropology.

The main objectives of International Tea Day include:

• Recognizing tea’s contribution to sustainable development and food security, especially in producing countries.
• Valuing the role of small farming communities involved in tea cultivation and processing.
• Promoting environmentally friendly production practices that respect workers’ rights.
• Encouraging conscious, informed, and culturally sensitive consumption.

Celebrating this day means critically reflecting on what lies behind a simple cup: labor, land, identity, and global interconnectedness.