International Tea Day 2021
Today 21st May is World Tea Day and here is Ireland we are big tea drinkers so we think it is worth celebrating! We are also lucky enough to have several tea producing members in Boyne Valley Flavours- McEntee's Fine Teas, Lily's Tea and MacNammee's Tea.
So a small bit of information about our beloved Tea, it is the world’s most consumed drink, after water. It is believed that tea originated in northeast India, north Myanmar and southwest China, but the exact place where the plant first grew is not known. Tea has been with us for a long time. There is evidence that tea was consumed in China 5,000 years ago.
Tea production and processing constitutes a main source of livelihoods for millions of families in developing countries and is the main means of subsistence for millions of poor families, who live in a number of least developed countries.
Tea consumption can bring health benefits and wellness due to the beverage's anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and weight loss effects. It also has cultural significance in many societies.
About International Tea Day
Re-emphasizing the call from the Intergovernmental Group on Tea to direct greater efforts towards expanding demand, particularly in tea-producing countries, where per capita consumption is relatively low, and supporting efforts to address the declining per capita consumption in traditional importing countries, the General Assembly decided to designate 21 May as International Tea Day.
This information is from the United Nations and more information on International Tea Day can be foudn here- https://www.un.org/en/observances/tea-day
Lily's Tea
Lily Chen is originally from the Fujian province where she was reared on quality leaf tea. Over the years she has developed a strong passion for quality tea served in the most natural way. Lily is now settled in Termonfeckin, Co. Louth with Dominick and their two children.
Thanks to the accessibility to the best tea farms in China, Lily only selects the finest tea leaves for her customers. We encourage the use of whole leaves from which you can enjoy each different unique taste and keep the whole nutritional benefit. Also by drinking leaf tea, you help to promote a healthier, more natural and eco-friendly life experience.
Lily’s tea also provides a wide range of tea accessories, which enable you to savour the best quality tea leaves in an easy and convenient way.
Lily's Tea is 100% plastic Free. They are bio-degradable, which means they need to go into your food waste collection, and will degrade in 12 weeks.
Over the last two years they have taken over 80% of plastic, and 20% of the cardboard out of our packaging, and we’re working towards 100% plastic free as the technology improves.
Shop the full Lily's Tea range on their online shop or watch out for them in SuperValu
McEntee's Fine Teas
McEntee’s Fine Teas is a family business run by married couple, Donal and Helen McEntee in Co. Louth, Ireland.
Donal and Helen, both passionate tea drinkers, brought together the idea of McEntee’s Tea from their office on the family farm in Co. Louth, after Donal decided a number of years ago to follow his passion in “tea”, or more specifically “Irish Blends of loose leaf tea”.
Their tea is unmistakably Irish, rich in tradition, with a strength and flavour consistent with their commitment to sourcing their teas from only the world’s finest tea gardens. Very aware of the growing desire for a better quality cup of tea, and the increasing trend back to loose tea, their Great Taste Award winning Gold Blend, Irish Breakfast Blend, Irish Afternoon Blend, Organic Sencha Green Tea and Irish Mint and Nettle, offer better quality blends for those with a passion for Irish Tea. McEntee’s Tea wants to ensure that you can continue to enjoy quality Irish blends of loose tea, so important to previous generations. In a fast-paced modern world, it bring us back into the moment and offer us a rich, unrivalled refreshing taste of home.
Watch out for McEntee's Fine Teas in Supervalu's and Aldi stores this Summer as they take part in the Food Academy and Grow with Aldi programmes.
They also have their full range on their online shop-
McNamee's Tea
MacNamee's Tea are a small family business who prepare teas in the traditional artisan way.
Their teas are carefully selected from tea gardens all over the world, blended and then packed in Skerries Co. Dublin. They don’t nor do their supply partners use chemicals or artificial flavourings in their teas. At MacNamees they run their business holistically taking social, economic and environmental impacts into consideration.
Their skilled team pack in small batches by hand every couple of days, they enjoy what they do and have a passion for tea. They love the aromas and scents and of course the best part is they get to taste them all, so you can be assured their teas will reach you in pristine condition.
Visit the MacNamee's Tea Rooms in Dunleer, County Louth or shop on their online shop-