Make yourself a nice cup of tea to enjoy this article about the countries that produce the most tea in the world even more.
You should know by now that drinking tea is not only recommendable when you are sick, but even when you are healthy, on an everyday basis. Drinking tea (depending on the type) can help you stay healthy, it can boost your immune system. If you make yourself develop an everyday ritual of quiet and peaceful drinking of your favorite tea you can gain many health benefits. Not only from the ingredients tea possesses, but also from the act itself, if you make it as it should be – enjoyable. And, I am not saying that you should make it a special ritual like Chinese people do, just your ritual, your time to sit quietly with your thoughts and enjoy drinking something healthy. That way, drinking a cup of tea will positively affect not only your body, but also your mind, or shall I say – spirit.
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There are five primary types of tea that are all produced from the same plant called Camellia sinensis that is native to China. Although it may sound similar to chamomile – these two are different entirely plants. And, here is a kick for those who don’t know anything about tea – chamomile is not a true tea. So, which are those primary types of tea that are classified as true teas? Those are: white tea, green tea, black tea, oolong tea and pu-erh tea. Since they are all made from the leaves of the same plant, what differentiate them is further processing (mainly level of oxidation) of the leaf.
After the tea is processed into one of these primary types it can be spiced up, flavored, blended or aromatized. This is why there are so many tea varieties coming from only 5 basic types. Don’t skip our article on the world’s most expensive teas, as you will be shocked both with the prices and the things that make those teas so special.
Let’s say something more about each of these basic five types of tea before we proceed with the countries that dominate the tea production world.
Green tea is very popular because of its powerful antioxidant capacity and fat burning effects. I don’t have to explain more why ladies love it. Drinking green tea regularly will lower your risk of infections and various types of cancer, it will improve your brain functions and lower your risk of suffering from Alzheimer’s disease when older.
White tea is also full of antioxidants that will help you stay young, improve your skin health or lose weight. Drinking white tea offers similar health benefits as consuming green tea, and people who don’t like the strong taste of the green one prefer the white tea.
Black tea, as well, can affect our health positively, but you should be aware of the fact that it has much more caffeine than all the other teas. So, if you for any reason need to lower your caffeine intake beware of the fact that black tea contains it more than the white one or the green one.
Oolang tea possesses almost all the qualities that green and black tea have separately, which is why its regular consumption can bring many health benefits. Some of them are good dental health, bone structure and healthier skin. If you’re looking to lose weight, oolang tea is maybe the better option than the green one.
Pu-erh tea is often recommended for people who have problems with bad cholesterol, because it contains a chemical called lovastatin, which helps to lower bad cholesterol levels.
More or less, all these types of tea have the same health benefits, and differences between them are not that big. Try them all and drink the one that taste the best to you. Now, let’s finally see who produces them the most. To find out countries that produce the most tea in the world we’ve used statistic data from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Even though only the statistics from 2013, are available, chances are nothing much has changed since then, because, as we could see from the same source, these countries below were at the top in the previous years, too.
8. Indonesia
Production: 148,100.00 tonnes
Seventy percent of all tea production in Indonesia comes from the province called West Java. The other two regions in Indonesia that have that also produce tea are Central Java and North Sumatra. Indonesian don’t consume much tea, moreover, its average per person per year consumption of tea is lower than the world average. That’s why more than a half of their tea is exported to other countries, mainly to Pakistan, Russia and Great Britain. Indonesia mainly produces black and green tea, and their tea is special because it has the highest catechin content, which is a natural antioxidant.
7. Iran
Production: 160,000.00 tonnes
It is interesting that Iranians’ first attempt to grow and produce tea in their country in the late 19th century wasn’t successful. After they have gained more knowledge about the cultivation of this plant and found suitable regions with good climate, the production started. And very soon expanded, and then in 1934, the first modern tea factory in Iran was opened. And now, Iran can boast about being one of the 8 countries that produce the most tea in the world.
6. Turkey
Production: 212,400.00 tonnes
Turkish people are known in the world for their love for this hot beverage, and Turkey has always been among the countries that consume the most tea in the world. In order to satisfy their own tea demands they started with the big production and are now among the countries that produce the most tea in the world. Drinking tea takes a big part in Turkish culture – they have special kettles for boiling the water, they prepare stronger and weaker tea (so that people can choose the one they prefer), and they serve it in glasses. Famous Turkish tea is actually a variety of black tea.
5. Vietnam
Production: 214,300.00 tonnes
Growing tea in Vietnam has a long history, and some of the oldest tea plants in the world live here. Big tea production here began only after French people arrived and took an interest in their agriculture. But before that, tea was often consumed by peasant population the most. Thanks to Chinese influence “the ceremonial of tea being served in a very ornate and methodical manner” was developed here in Vietnam also.
4. Sri Lanka
Production: 340,230.00 tonnes
Tea production in Sri Lanka is very important as this industry hires a lot of people there, and it accounts for 2% of their GDP. Because of the climate (humidity and rainfall) and soil characteristics, tea produced in Sri Lanka is of high quality. Their tea is more known to the world as Ceylon tea (Sri Lanka – formerly known as Ceylon), and it’s considered as the “cleanest tea in the world in terms pesticide residues“; it was also the first tea labeled as “Ozone friendly“.
3. Kenya
Production: 432,400.00 tonnes
The production of tea is very important in Kenya, as it accounts for 4% of their GDP, and tea exports stand for 26% of all total export profit. Most of the tea produced in Kenya is black tea, but in the recent years they have broadened their production, and now you can also buy green and white tea in Kenya. Moreover, they are trying to create and grow new tea varieties such as purple tea. If you like to try new tastes, then look for this Kenyan purple tea, which is also very good for your immune system.
2. India
Production: 1,208,780.00 tonnes
With this big tea production India, it is only natural that all basic tea types are produced here, and that India is also among the biggest exporters of tea in the world. Most of the tea they export to Russia, Iran and Great Britain. The largest tea-growing region in India is Assam, and the black tea grown here is called Assam tea.
1. China
Production: 1,924,457.00 tonnes
No surprise here with China being the country that produces the most tea in the world. Since tea plant is native to Chine, it is only natural that they have the longest tea consumption history than any other country in the world. As you may know, Chinese people have a special tea drinking culture, and drinking tea is an important part of their tradition. In China, while you drink tea that is served in a special set, you should be aware of all your senses, and concentrate on the environment, music, everything that surrounds you. You should enjoy the moment. When young people offer a cup of tea to the elderly, it is considered a sign of respect.
There is something appealing about Chinese tea drinking culture. Something from which many modern generations can benefit if they were only willing to give it a try.
