The world's favorite beverage

Originating in China, tea has become so popular globally, that many consider it the world's drink.

To celebrate the cultural heritage, health benefits and economic importance of the drink, the United Nations designated May 21 as International Tea Day.

Tea plays a meaningful role in many societies, offers a rich aromatic selection and is valued for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant qualities.

As one of the origins of tea, Yunnan province enjoys a comprehensive output value of more than 100 billion yuan ($14.19 billion) every year from the sector.

Menghai county, in the Xishuangbanna Dai autonomous prefecture of Yunnan, is internationally recognized as one of the birthplaces of Pu'er tea.

Located more than 1,600 meters above sea level, Laoman'e village on Blang Mountain in Menghai is an ancient village of the Blang ethnic group, with a history stretching back more than 1,400 years.

Harvesting, processing and drinking tea has been part of the lives and culture of the Blang people for countless generations.

Tea is inextricably interwoven and an elemental aspect of their existence. In mid-May every year, it's a common sight to see farmers singing while picking tea leaves.

The ancient tea trees grow in the primeval forests of Yunnan, usually climbing to about two or three meters high, though some exceed 10 meters. Tea farmers climb the trees to pick the leaves, thus providing a unique scene.

Laoman'e village is a renowned center of tea production. People comment that they often hear the sounds of pickers singing without actually seeing them.

Through the Ancient Tea Horse Road and the Silk Road, tea became a global commodity.

It remains one of the world's major beverages, produced in more than 60 countries and regions worldwide and enjoyed by more than 2 billion people.

The warm weather of central Kenya, located on the East African plateau, is highly suitable for tea cultivation. Black tea is now one of the country's leading exports, and small-scale farmers produce about 60 percent of the country's output.

Tea exports, and the sector in general, play a vital role in rural development and poverty reduction in developing countries.