International Tea Day: 5 Myths About Tea You Should Stop Believing Today

The International Tea Day is observed on May 21 every year, according to the United Nations Food and Agricultural Association. Tea producing states like Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, Kenya, Malawi, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Uganda and Tanzania celebrate another ‘International Tea Day’ on December 15th. Two days to commemorate one single beverage, it must be something right? Well, it is. Tea is in fact, one of the most widely consumed beverages around the world. It is made by brewing tea leaves, with or without milk and sugar. The tea cultivation in India started at a grand scale during the ‘British Raj’, who simply wanted to challenge China’s dominance in the realm. In less than a century, India emerged as one of the biggest tea-producing states in history.

(Also Read: 5 Common Mistakes People Make While Brewing A Cup Of Tea)

Almost every Indian household today has a dedicated dabba for tea (or chai as we call it). This is the beverage you start your day with, and this is what you need after a long day at work. The beverage is not just confined to homes; from local chai tapris to fancy tea houses and cafes – tea and tea lovers can be found in every nook and cranny of this country. Yet however, there are many myths related to tea that have been around for a while. It doesn’t matter whether you are a chai-lover or not, you must know the truth behind these unverified claims, here are some.

(Also Read: Tea Leaves Or Tea Bags: Which One’s A Healthier Option?

1. Tea Does Not Expire:

Much like most of the things in your kitchen, tea is not immortal. If your chai ka dabba has tea from the date you cannot recall, and has a slightly rancid smell, which is distinctly different from the lovely aroma of tea, then it is best to toss it out.

(Also Read: 12 Remarkable White Tea Benefits for Skin and Overall Health)

Tea is not immortal.

2. Green Tea Is Instant Fat Burning Remedy:

The catechins present in green tea are shown to boost metabolism and increase fat burning, but that does not mean you can just lie down on your couch, drinking green tea all day. Weight-loss is a combination of diet and workout. Along with 2-3 cups of green tea daily, you also have to sweat it out- a lot.

Catechins present in green tea are shown to boost metabolism | Photo credit: iStock

3. Adding Milk To Tea Destroys Its Benefits:

Black tea is certainly stronger but adding milk to tea does not tamper with the benefits of tea. It is said that the concept of adding milk to tea started with the British, who believed that the hot tea may induce a crack in their china cups. Adding milk would cool down the beverage a bit, and also add a creamy flavour to the beverage. Milk also works as a natural sweetener. 

4. Decaffeinated Tea Is Caffeine-Free:

As disheartening as it may sound, but even decaffeinated tea consists of trace amount of caffeine, about 2-10 milligrams per cup roughly. If you want to cut back on caffeine completely, you may opt for herbal teas.

Tea is also replete with many health benefits

5. Tea Is Dehydrating: 

Tea is diuretic in nature, excess tea will cause increased passage of urine. But that does not mean your body will be depleted of essential fluids. Besides, tea is made with boiling water, some also add milk to the beverage. Hence it could be a good beverage to cater to your hydration needs. However, it MUST be ensured that the hot brew in consumed in moderation.

Happy International Tea Day, everybody!

(This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.)