Countries with the Popular Tea Culture!
Author: Sencan TASCI
Tea is an important cultural value not only in Turkey but also in many different geographies of the world. Tea is served with milk in some countries, with lemon and mint in some countries, and with honey in some countries. It also draws attention with its different brewing methods, interesting tea preparation and presentation rituals. Let’s all take a short tour of the tea drinking culture, which has an important place in our lives!
1- Masala Tea, India
In India, which is one of the countries where tea production is most common in the world, tea is usually served with milk. In addition to this, a condiment called “masala” is mixed in tea, as well as traditional methods such as milk and sugar. In addition, the tea of the “Darjeeling” plant, which only grows in India, is among the most preferred teas by Indians.
Darjeeling tea took its name from the city of Darjeeling in India, which was the center of tea cultivation and once the starting point of a caravan route to Tibet. Even today, this ancient city is known for the best quality tea of the same name. Today, Darjeeling is the brand of each type of tea, such as green, white, yellow tea or oolong, from this region.
2-Mint Flavored Tea, Morocco
Moroccan Tea, which is served by mixing green tea and mint, is a type of soft drink that is very popular in both Morocco and North Africa. Before the tea is served, mint is put in the glass, then hot water is added and the mint is expected to digest. Finally, after the mint turns the color of the water green, a brewed tea is added to it. Moroccan Tea, which is ready to be served after all these processes, is in great demand due to its health benefits.
3-Milk Pearl Tea, Taiwan
“Pearl tea with milk”, which has become popular all over the world, is a special tea that has been among the Taiwanese traditions for years. Milk Pearl Tea, which can be served both cold and hot, is prepared by cooking tapioca pearls with sugar syrup. It is seen that the consumption amount of Pearl Tea with Milk, which attracts attention with its interesting appearance, increases every year.
4-Yerba Mate Tea, Argentina
Yerba Mate is one of the most popular teas consumed in South America and Argentina. Prepared from dried yerba leaves, this green tea is drunk in a metal bowl with a metal straw to get rid of the leaves. Besides, dried yerba leaves contain plenty of vitamins.
5- Milk Tea, England
One of the first countries that comes to mind when tea is mentioned in the world is England. In England, which is known for its fondness for black tea, the ritual of tea with milk has become a symbol. The concept of “5 tea”, which includes porcelain teapots and various snacks, emerged in England.
6- Chinese Teas, China
Tea is produced in 20 different regions of China, which has a very deep-rooted history of tea. Teas that differ in color, smell and taste according to their regions; green, black, Wulong (a kind of semi-fermented), white, yellow, red and jasmine is divided into 7 different varieties. Tea, which is believed to rest and relax the soul, has become the national drink for the Chinese people.
7- Turkish Tea, Turkiye
Turkey, which is among the countries that consume the most tea, has a very important place in the world in terms of tea production with its tea plantations in the Black Sea region. Black tea, which is often consumed at breakfast, is also preferred after lunch and dinner. Tea, which stands out among the treats to be offered to guests, has become one of the most important elements in Turkish culture.
8- Matcha Tea, Japan
Matcha tea is an integral part of Japanese culture, works the metabolism and has many benefits with its rich minerals and vitamins. Matcha Tea is grown in rural Japan, ground into powder and consumed as such.
To obtain this tea, firstly, the tea leaves are collected and kept in a dark room for two to three weeks. During this time, the leaves turn a bright and dark green color. It is very rich in chlorophyll. Matcha tea, which is a source of healing for many diseases, is a rich source of antioxidants.
9- Butter Tea, Tibet
Butter tea is the common name for Po cha, a traditional Tibetan tea. It has been a popular beverage in Tibet for over 1,500 years, and many Tibetans drink this tea every day, throughout the day. Although most people do not live in harsh conditions like Tibet, the same health effects that protect and support Tibetan people can also be enjoyed by people around the world. Many of these benefits come from the rich supply of antioxidants, caffeine found in tea, as well as linoleic acid oils in butter.
10- Iced Sock Tea with Milk, Hong Kong
Hong Kong milk tea is also known as “panty tea” or “silk stocking”. It is usually brewed in a large tea drink that resembles pantyhose. Hong Kong milk tea is a beverage with a creamy and smooth texture consisting of water, condensed milk sweetened with black tea leaves or evaporated milk and sugar. The beverage is called milk tea to distinguish it from Chinese tea, which is typically served plain.
11- Masala Chai, Pakistan
Chai is not just an Indian tea. In Pakistan, it is brewed in its own style and consumed quite often. Especially, it is often preferred at noon.
Pakistani tea culture is rich and diverse, with various regions of the country having their own flavors and varieties. Elaichi Chai is popular in Karachi, while Doodh Pati Chai (a thicker and milky version) is preferred in Punjab. Desserts and biscuits accompany the tea. In northern Pakistan, a type of green tea called ‘kahwah’ is commonly consumed in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region. Finally, in Kashmir it is possible to enjoy a ‘pink’ Kashmiri tea, a wonderful blend of pistachio and cardamom and milk tea.
12-Soda Iced Tea, USA
American tea culture will include a highly consumed one, although coffee is the country’s more popular beverage. It is common to drink tea in homes, offices and cafes across the country. The first European settlers brought their love of tea to the Americas, and now Americans consume more than three billion gallons each year. Although many types of tea are consumed in America, the most popular is iced soda tea.
13- Black Tea, Egypt
Tea is by far the most popular hot beverage in Egypt today. From the banks of the Nile to the shores of the Red Sea, and from modern Cairo to ancient Alexandria, tea is drunk every day during long conversations or enjoyable backgammon games, whether in summer or winter, at homes or in cafes. Egypt is famous for its strong, black and sweet tea. The tea is usually drunk without milk and with a lot of sugar. Depending on which part of Egypt you are in, the tea you will be served will be either Koshsary or Saidii.
14- Cha Yen, Thailand
Thai Iced Tea or Thai Milk Tea is a delicious and refreshing Thai beverage made from sweetened condensed and evaporated milk and sugar.
15-Suutei Tsai, Mongolia
Suutei Tsai is a traditional Mongolian hot drink with salty but pleasant creamy flavors. The name Suutei Tsai is derived from Mongolian words meaning ‘tea with milk’. Suutei Tsai is easily brewed with familiar ingredients such as water, milk, and green tea powder. A little salt gives it a distinct taste and flavor.
16- Black Tea, Kenya
The first tea plant was brought to Kenya by a colonial settler in the early 1900s. Despite this relatively new practice, tea farmers in Kenya have succeeded in promoting Kenyan tea leaves on the global market.
After a difficult period in 2006 when droughts took a toll on Kenya’s tea agriculture, Kenya is now the third largest producer of black tea after India and Sri Lanka. Tea plantations are usually found in the mountainous regions of Kenya.
Kenya’s location on the equator means that unlike other countries, tea is not seasonal. Kenyan tea farming can be done year-round thanks to long, sunny days. This is one of the reasons why Kenya is the largest exporter of tea.
17- Rooibos Tea, South Africa
Native to South Africa, the Rooibos plant is used to produce a sparkling red tea. It is served with milk or sugar. It has a soft and sweet aroma.
18- Karak Chai, Qatar
Tea consumption in Qatar is mainly made from Karak, which is a mixture of Indian-style tea, milk, water, sugar and cardamom. Karak is a tea prepared by boiling tea leaves to obtain a stronger flavor. Over the past few decades, Karak has been on the rise as a staple of Qatari culture, with tea shops sprouting up across the country.
Qatar residents consume 3.53 pounds of tea per year. It is possible to find many tea bars throughout the country that serve the local people to socialize.
19- Cold Tea with Milk and Sugar, Malaysia
Most of the Malaysian tea is produced in the Cameron Highlands region of Malaysia, known as the “Green Bowl”. About three and a half hours’ drive from Kuala Lumpur, this rich agricultural region is located on the scenic Titiwangsa Mountain Range, which is also a popular destination for tourists and day-trippers.
Malaysia’s most famous is the world-famous teh tarik or ground tea originating in the country. Essentially a mixture of strong black tea, condensed milk, and sugar, the mixture is drawn or poured at high speed between two containers held one meter apart. Tea serves to create a rich, sweet, frothy mixture that is chilled to the optimum drinking temperature before being served.
20-Black Tea, Kuwait
There are several types of tea traditionally consumed in Kuwait. One is sweet cinnamon tea. This tea is served for breakfast or during the traditional tea ceremony. Tea is made by placing cinnamon sticks and sugar in a cauldron along with water. When the tea is ready, it is served with nuts, dried fruit, cookies or dates.
Another type of Kuwaiti tea is saffron and cardamom tea. This tea is usually served after lunch. It is a Kuwaiti tradition to offer a guest a cup of tea or Arabic coffee .
21- Mauritanian Tea
It is drunk for dessert in three glasses, from the sweetest to the sweetest. The Mali and Mauritanian tea ritual is common throughout North Africa. The tea is brewed over the coals and then poured into another teapot. It is poured back and forth and then into glasses. Then again from glass to glass. Typically this happens from a great height above the teapot or glass to aerate the tea and create a frothy froth on top. This is a true art form and it takes some practice to get it right.
It is usually made and served by the man of the house in Mauritania. After the first glass, mint is added because there is plenty of sugar. There is a saying that the first glass is as bitter as life, the second as strong as love, and the third as gentle as death.
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I hope it has been a pleasant taste journey for you!
Of course, we craved tea, isnt it? It’s time to brew and enjoy tea 