Tea is the most popular drink besides water. It beat coffee and beer to rank second and third.

Designated by the United Nations as International Tea Day, May 21 marks the importance and value of global beverages, not only economically but also culturally.

Tea plays a meaningful role in many societies. From Tibetan po cha to high-quality British breakfast beer, tea is considered a unified and hospitality drink.

Although the exact origin of tea is not clear, it is believed to have originated in northeast India, northern Myanmar and southwestern China, according to the United Nations. There is evidence that 5,000 years ago, China drank tea, making it one of the oldest drinks in the world.

How to speak tea around the world

Globally, almost all tea words can be derived from the root “cha” or “te”.

In many places in South Asia, Southeast Asia, Central Asia, the Middle East and Eastern Europe, the word tea is derived from Cha.

• In Mandarin: Tea (tea)
• Arabic: Shā
• In Turkish: Tea
• In Hindi: चच (chāi)

In Western Europe, many countries use some derivatives of TE. For example, because of the East’s trade routes, “tea” was introduced into English. The word is taken from China, where it is declared "TE" in the Hawking dialect.

• English: Tea
• French: thé
• Spanish: té
• In German: T-shirt

Who produces the most tea in the world?

Tea factories usually grow in tropical and subtropical climates, and their cultivation and processing support the livelihoods of millions of people.

According to the latest data from the Global Tea Report of Tea and Coffee Magazine, nearly half of tea (48%) is produced in China. India is the second largest producer, accounting for 20% of world production, followed by Kenya (8%), Turkiye (4%) and Sri Lanka (3%).

The rest of the world accounts for 17% of global tea production.

How much tea does the world consume every day?

According to the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), world tea consumption reached 6.5 million tons in 2022, an increase from previous years.

The largest tea consumers consume in China to 3 million tons in 2022, accounting for 46% of global consumption.

India is the second largest consumer, accounting for 1.16 million tons in 2022, with a share of 1.16 million tons, followed by Turkiye, Pakistan (250,000 tons), Pakistan (247,000 tons), and Russia at 133,000 tons.

According to FAO data, tea consumption in 2021 increased by 2% in 2021 and further increased in 2023.

However, tea consumption in Europe and North American countries has been declining due to increasing competition for other beverages, while for Russia, tea imports were negatively affected by the Ukrainian war.

Five teas from all over the world

To mark this year’s International Tea Day, here are five unusual teas from around the world and how to make them:

Butter tea (po cha)

exist: Tibet and other Himalayas

What's strange about it? : It is the name. Butter tea made with beef butter, black tea and salt is similar to broth. Obviously, there is a tradition where the host will refill your cup with butter tea until you refuse or stop filling the cup, which indicates that it’s time to leave.

Kombucha - Is it tea?

exist: China, Japan and South Korea

What's strange about it? : Kombucha is considered tea. This is a fermented tea made using jelly-like scoby (bacterial and yeast symbiotic colonies). Kombucha fans often name them, treat them like pets, and pass them on to friends like family heirlooms.

Butterfly Pea Flower Tea

exist: Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam

What's strange about it? : It is called blue tea because of its color, which then turns purple when added with lemon juice. It is caffeine-free and consists of petals of blue pea flowers.

Baobab Leaf Tea

exist: Sub-Saharan Africa

What's strange about it? : Traditionally, Baobab leaf tea is used as a mild herbal remedy and nutritious beverage in many parts of sub-Saharan Africa.

Unlike most herbal teas that are usually floral or fruity, Bobbabu leaf tea has a light earthy or even slightly bitter taste, a bit like spinach water.

Guava Leaf Tea

exist: Philippines, Central America, Africa

What's strange about it? : Tea is made from the leaves of the guava tree, which has a earthy flavor. In Filipino culture, it is said to bring medicinal benefits to soothe stomach pain and bathe wounds.