Tea has been one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world for several decades. Whether it is a small gathering or time alone at home, tea plays a very important role as a companion. Due to its popularity and high consumption rate, today tea is widely produced in different countries around the world. Although tea cultivation is practiced in more than 60 countries, the main tea-producing region is Asia and Africa. So, let’s dive in and look at the top 10 tea producing countries in the world.
10. IRAN
The people of the country of Iran have literally been in love with tea since it was introduced there in the late 15th century. Tales about the history of tea in Iran tell that Prince Kashef discovered and learned the secret art of growing tea during the disguised search for it in India, as a laborer. He then implemented everything he had learned along with some samples he bought and started growing tea. Today Iran is included in the list of the main tea producing countries with a production of around 75,000 tons.
9. JAPAN
With a production of around 88,900 tons of tea, Japan is another Asian country on the list. Due to soil conditions and climate change, it is possible to grow tea in almost any state in Japan, perhaps apart from the Osaka region and the island of Hokkaido. Shizuka, Kagoshima, Kyushu, and Miyazaki are some of the states where tea is mainly grown in the country of Japan. Even with this large tea production, due to the extreme demand for tea in the country of origin itself, the export of tea from Japan is very low.
8. ARGENTINA
While coffee is the most popular hot beverage in South America, tea has established a true fanatic in Argentina, due to the bulk production of tea in the country. Misiones and Corrientes are the regions where tea is grown more specifically in Argentina. In the 1920s, due to the experiment with crops that the Argentine government insisted on, tea was introduced. Yerba mate is the locally produced and most appreciated tea in the country. A large amount of tea produced here is exported as foreign currency to countries such as the US, UK, and other European countries.
7. INDONESIA
With an annual production of around 144,000 tons of tea, Indonesia, a country in Southeast Asia, is the seventh-largest tea producing country. Most of the tea produced in Indonesia is black tea and green tea, introduced by the Dutch East India company in 1700. The variety of tea grown in the country originates from Assam India. Those produced in Indonesia are known worldwide for their healthy nature, which is acquired from catechin, a direct phenol, and antioxidant.
6. VIETNAM
Vietnam is another Asian country with a tea production capacity of up to 240,000 tons per year. The country learned about the cultivation of tea from the French who were colonial rulers in that period. Vietnam indulges in the cultivation of a wide variety of tea, including black, green, white, and a special lotus flavor. Most of the tea-growing is practiced in the Yen Bai territory located in the northern part of Vietnam.
5.TURKEY
The Turkish love for tea is so immense that they consume tea almost every hour of the day. Turkey grows 250,000 tonnes of tea each year and most of it is consumed by the Turkish citizen himself, making the export of tea relatively less. Turkey specializes in the production of Riza tea, also called Turkish tea, which is a kind of black tea. The main tea production in the country takes place in a small area near the city of Rize, which is located on the Black Sea at the end of the western coast of Turkey.
4. SRI LANKA
Sri Lanka produces tea not only as a beverage but as a large component of its economy. Tea production is one of the main sources of livelihood for the people living on the Asian island. Sri Lanka produces around 35,000 tons of tea per year. Kandy and Nuwara Eliya are the two main points where tea is grown. Although Sri Lanka is a small country, the amount of tea grown here is staggering. Many of the major tea producing countries such as Russia, the United Arab Emirates, Syria and even Turkey import tea from Sri Lanka. Tea production and export is an important economic activity for Sri Lanka, as around 1 million people in the country are employed for tea alone.
3. KENYA
Among all the Asian countries on the list of largest tea producing countries, the African country Kenya tops the list in third place. Kenya is the world’s largest producer and exporter of black tea. Most of the tea is grown in the territory of Kericho, Nandi, and Nyambene Hills. Kenya became familiar with tea in 1903 by GWL Caine, but in 1924 only Malcolm Bell transformed it into profits for the Brooke Bond company. The annual production of tea in Kenya is 500,000 tons.
2. INDIA
In India, the tea is popularly known as “chai”. And it’s safe to say that it is also considered the national drink of the country. Tea consumption in India is very high. Most of the tea grown is preserved for home use and then exported to other countries. During the time of the British Empire, the East India Company began bulk production of tea. Without a doubt, the famous Assam tea is popular all over the world. And that is the state where most of the tea is produced in India along with Darjeeling. Tea grown in the southern Nilgiri region is also famous and widely consumed. India is the second-largest tea producing country in the world, growing over 1,250,000 tonnes each year.
1. CHINA
China is the largest tea producing country in the world. The country that gave birth to the discovery of tea and introduced the world’s most famous hot drink. The country exports 40% of the world’s total tea, producing almost 2,400,000 tons annually. Yunnan, Zhejiang, and Guangdong are the main tea plantation regions in China. Of course, being the largest producer and exporter of tea in the world. China grows amazing green tea called Green Gunpowder, Dragon Well, and many others.
