Lipton Day (Riputon no Hi)

What Is Lipton Day?

May 10th is "Lipton Day" (Riputon no Hi). This day was established by Unilever Japan, which then marketed the tea brand Lipton, and registered with the Japan Anniversary Association (the registered founder is now Lipton Teas and Infusions Japan Services). The date is the birthday of founder Thomas Lipton (born May 10; his birth year is usually given as 1848, though the Japan Anniversary Association gives 1850), and also the day in 1871 when he opened his first grocery store in his hometown of Glasgow. The day aims to encourage people to enjoy good tea and spend pleasant time with the people who matter to them.

Lipton's History

Lipton is a tea brand with a long history.

• Founder: Thomas Lipton was born in Glasgow, Scotland. He started out with a grocery store and later moved into selling tea.
• Making tea accessible: Tea was once a luxury item, but Lipton helped make it affordable and widely available. In 1895, Lipton became a supplier to the British royal household.
• Arrival in Japan: Lipton tea was first imported into Japan in 1906, reportedly in a yellow tin.

Lipton and Tea Culture

Lipton has also influenced how people drink tea.

• Popularizing tea bags: In Japan, production of Lipton tea bags began in 1961, and they went on sale in 1962. They reportedly became popular as a way to enjoy real tea easily at home.
• Many ways to enjoy tea: Plain black tea, milk tea, and lemon tea are just a few of the styles that have become popular.
• A wide range of products: Today, Lipton is sold not only as tea bags but also in paper cartons, plastic bottles, cups, and more.

Black Tea Basics

• Fermented leaves: Black tea is made by fully fermenting (oxidizing) leaves of the same tea plant used for green tea and oolong.
• Color and aroma: The fermentation process gives black tea its reddish-brown color and distinctive aroma.
• Caffeine content: Black tea contains caffeine, so you may want to go easy on it late at night.

Ways to Enjoy Lipton Day

• Look into the different production methods for black tea, green tea, and oolong tea
• Compare tea bags with loose-leaf tea
• Trace the history of how black tea spread around the world
• Explore how different countries and regions enjoy tea

A Day to Discover the World Inside a Cup of Tea

Lipton Day on May 10th is an opportunity to learn about the history and culture behind a familiar tea brand. Lipton helped turn black tea from a luxury item into an everyday drink. Reflecting on a single cup of tea can reveal fascinating connections between global food culture and industry, offering a fresh perspective on something we often take for granted.