The month of May is a glorious time to be alive. It is one of those liminal times of the year when the changing of the seasons is most keenly felt. In the Northern Hemisphere, May is the culmination of spring: a time of colour, warmth, growth, and an explosion of life. Here in Australia, however, we feel the settling of winter — the cool mornings, the shortening of days, the changing leaves, and that special golden quality of the light. It feels somehow fitting that this is also the month that hosts International Tea Day.
Tea is a fascinating drink (we think so, at least). The caffeine in the leaf makes it a wonderful stimulant, giving us energy for the day. And yet, so many of our customs and rituals around tea are about taking time to relax, reflect, and slow the pace of our lives. Tea treads that line between brightness and softness in a way that feels just right for this time of year, matching perfectly with the duality of May.
For the major tea-growing countries, May is also the height of tea-picking season. The harvesting of the First Flush, the finest leaves of the year, is all but finished for most regions. But don’t assume the work is over. Those first harvests now enter the hands of the artisans, whose careful alchemy transforms the raw leaf into a riot of flavours, textures, and styles of tea. At the same time, farmers remain busy in their groves, bringing in the first bounty of the summer to come.
For Japan especially, May is a critical month. This is the time of year when the carefully shaded tea bushes give up their treasures in the form of the prized leaves that will become Gyokuro and Matcha. For matcha aficionados, this is the season to watch, as the emerald powder is at its freshest and most vibrant in late May and early June.
With all of this in mind, it just seems right to take some time this May 21st to celebrate the ever-dependable cup of tea. It is one of those little luxuries that makes life sweeter, and it is worth remembering how fortunate we are to enjoy it in such abundance. Whether you love a stimulating matcha, a rare artisan blend, or even a good old English Breakfast tea bag, we hope you will join us in celebrating International Tea Day.
Moriah Hunter, Manager & Tea Master of The Tea Centre Toowoomba