International Tea Day is Friday the 21st of May
International Tea Day is observed annually on the 21st of May and aims to raise awareness of the long history and the deep cultural and economic significance of tea around the world.
According to research1, the Irish are the second biggest tea drinkers in the world per capita, getting through 4.8 lbs per head every year, over half a pound ahead of the UK. Only Turkey get through more tea, with just under seven pounds per head consumed there each year!
Irish tea culture dates back to the 1800s. Imported from English merchants, Irish tea was generally of cheaper quality so milk was added to cover up the taste. This, of course, meant that Irish tea had to be brewed stronger than its English counterpart, a custom which still takes place today.
In the 1960s Ireland’s tea companies finally cut out the middleman and started buying their tea straight from the source. Assam tea from India, a very strong, robust tea with a high tannin level, was blended with the lighter-tasting Ceylon from Sri Lanka, giving us the invigorating tea that the rest of the world now knows as Irish Breakfast.
Aldi sells a wide range of teas in all 145 stores every day, so pop on the kettle and let’s look at the choices!
McGrath’s Range:
- McGrath’s Premium Gold Teabags €1.15/80 teabags- Rainforest Alliance Certified. Awarded 2 Stars at the Great Taste Awards 2020.
- McGrath’s Fairtrade Reserve Tea €1.39/80 teabags- Awarded Silver in the Blas na hÉireann Awards 2020 and 1 Star at the Great Taste Awards 2020.
- McGrath’s Original Blend Teabags €1.95/160 teabags- Rainforest Alliance Certified
Specially Selected Range:
- Specially Selected Infusion Teabags €2.19/15 teabags – Choose from Peppermint & Liquorice, Peppermint, Forest Fruits or Lemongrass & Ginger.
Diplomat Range:
- Diplomat Gold Label Teabags €0.87/80 teabags – Rainforest Alliance Blend.
- Diplomat Green Tea €0.89/40 teabags – Choose from Pure Green, Green & Lemon, Green Decaf or Green & Mint.
- Diplomat Fruit & Herb Teabags €0.99/40 teabags – Choose from Peppermint, Lemon & Ginger, Camomile or Berry Fruits.
- Diplomat Decaffeinated Teabags €1.79/80 teabags – Rainforest Alliance Blend.
Other:
- Barry’s Tea Gold Blend €3.60/80 teabags
1. https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/top-10-tea-loving-countries-in-the-world.html
