The country that loves tea the most in the world is not China?

Which country in the world loves tea the most?

Many people may answer "China" or "Britain" without thinking. After all, China is the hometown of tea, and Britain is famous for its afternoon tea culture.

However, the real answer may surprise you!

Today, we will take a global tea culture tour to reveal the tea drinking preferences of countries around the world and see which country is on the throne of "the most tea-loving".

◆ Who is the real "tea king"?

According to statistics from the International Tea Committee, the country with the highest per capita tea consumption in the world is neither China nor Britain, but Turkey!

The Turks' love for tea is almost to the point of obsession.

Their average per capita tea consumption is as high as 3.2 kilograms per year, and some data even say it reaches 6.87 kilograms, far exceeding other countries.

In Türkiye, tea is not just a drink, but also a lifestyle and social etiquette. Whether at home, in the office, or in teahouses on the streets, you can see Turks holding tulip-shaped glasses and savoring black tea (Çay).

Their black tea is usually brewed strong and added with sugar cubes, which has a mellow taste

◆ Various forms of "tea" around the world

In addition to Turkey, more than 160 countries and regions in the world have the habit of drinking tea, and the tea culture in various places varies greatly due to differences in region, history and customs:

• UK: Although the per capita consumption is not as high as that in Turkey, the tea culture in the UK is undoubtedly one of the most representative in the world. British afternoon tea has long become a symbol of elegance. They prefer black tea, and usually add milk and sugar to form a unique British milk tea flavor.
• Morocco: In Morocco in North Africa, mint tea is their national drink. This tea brewed with green tea, fresh mint leaves and a lot of sugar is not only refreshing and thirst-quenching, but also a symbol of the hospitality of the locals. When pouring tea, holding the teapot high and letting the tea pour down from a height to form foam is a unique way of hospitality in Morocco.
• Ireland: The Irish are also loyal fans of black tea, and their black tea consumption ranks among the top in the world. Irish black tea usually tastes strong, and they also like to add milk and sugar to adapt to the local cold climate.
• India: As the world's second largest tea producer, India's most popular tea drink is "Masala Chai". This milk tea, which is made by boiling black tea, milk, sugar and various spices (such as ginger, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, etc.), has a rich aroma and a mellow taste. It is a daily scene in the streets and alleys of India.
• Japan: Japanese tea culture is represented by matcha, and has developed a rigorous and ritualistic tea ceremony. Matcha's unique bitterness and sweetness, as well as its status in Zen culture, make it an important part of Japanese culture.
• China: As the hometown of tea, China has six major types of tea: green tea, black tea, oolong tea, white tea, yellow tea, and black tea. The richness of the categories and the variety of ways of brewing are unparalleled in the world. Chinese people pay more attention to the original flavor and tasting of tea when drinking tea. Different regions have different preferences for tea drinking. For example, southerners prefer green tea and oolong tea, while northerners prefer scented tea and black tea.

◆ The charm of tea: crossing borders and cultures

From the data, the global tea market has continued to be prosperous in recent years, and more and more people are drinking tea.

Reports show that the total global tea consumption has been rising. In terms of per capita consumption, Turkey is far ahead, and they drink five times more tea than China!

In addition, the per capita tea drinking volume in countries such as the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Russia is also high. These data not only reflect the popularity of tea in the world, but also reflect the different tea drinking habits and tastes in different countries.

Whether it is Turkey's rich black tea, Britain's elegant afternoon tea, Morocco's refreshing mint tea, India's spiced milk tea, or China's six major teas, tea carries a unique cultural connotation and philosophy of life.

Tea is not just a drink, it is also a social medium, a way to relax, and a pursuit of quality of life. In today's globalization, tea continues to shine on the world stage with its unique flavor and cultural charm.

Through today's "World Tea Map" tour, have you gained a new understanding of the global tea drinking culture?

The world of tea is much wider and more exciting than we imagined.

The next time you taste a cup of tea, you might as well imagine that in a corner of the world, countless people are enjoying their tea time.