International Tea Day 2026: Celebrate With 6 Vibrant Global Teas
International Tea Day, celebrated annually on May 21st, serves as a global tribute to one of the world's most cherished and culturally diverse beverages. Beyond the familiar morning steep, the world of tea offers an extraordinary spectrum of colours and textures, where the infusion itself becomes a piece of art. From the dramatic chemical shifts of floral tisanes to the rich, historical rituals of spice-laden brews, these vibrant teas demonstrate how heritage and chemistry can transform a simple leaf into a sensory experience that is as beautiful to behold as it is to consume.
Written by
Srishti Magan -
Content writer
Updated : Jun 05, 2026 05:13 IST
1. Ube Tea (Philippines)
Ube, the vibrant purple yam native to the Philippines, has become a global sensation for its ability to turn tea-based drinks into a brilliant, electric violet masterpiece. When ube extract or halaya (jam) is swirled into a base of milk tea or earthy green tea, it creates a stunning, marbled appearance that transitions from deep, velvety purple to soft, creamy lavender. The visual appeal of the tea is matched by its unique, sweet, and nutty flavour profile, which often carries hints of vanilla and toasted coconut. As a contemporary addition to the world of tea, ube offers a dramatic, neon-like colour palette that captures the imagination and brings a festive, dessert-like quality to the traditional tea-drinking experience.
2. Noon Chai (India)
The Kashmiri Noon Chai is a remarkable feat of kitchen chemistry, famous for its distinct, opaque pastel pink hue. Unlike standard tea preparations, this salted brew is crafted by boiling specific green tea leaves with baking soda and ice-cold water, a rigorous process that oxidises the leaves to create its signature rose-like colour. Beyond its striking visual, it offers a deeply comforting, savoury profile enriched with milk and topped with crushed pistachios and almonds. Its delicate, creamy aesthetic is so unexpected for a salted tea that it has become an iconic, highly photogenic symbol of Himalayan hospitality.
3. Blue Butterfly Pea Tea (Southeast Asia)
Derived from the Clitoria ternatea flower, this herbal infusion is a modern marvel of colour-changing mixology that has captured the attention of tea enthusiasts worldwide. In its natural state, the tea presents as a deep, mesmerizing indigo blue that feels almost surreal, but its real magic lies in its pH sensitivity. When a splash of acidic citrus—such as lemon or lime juice—is added to the infusion, the liquid undergoes a dramatic and instantaneous chemical shift, transforming from a serene sapphire into a vibrant, brilliant violet-magenta. This theatrical display makes it a favourite for both sophisticated mocktails and experimental tea ceremonies.