Intern. TEA DAY 2024: A Global Journey Through Tea Ceremonies (part 1 of 3)

Leading Tea Producers - A Statistical Glimpse:

• Historically: China's dominance is undeniable. Records indicate China exported tea as early as the Han Dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD) (Source: [2]).

• Today: The top tea producers (2019 data) according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) by annual tea production (Metric Tons), Source [3]:
  
  1. China | 3,173,000 MT
  2. India | 1,389,000 MT
  3. Kenya | 453,000 MT
  4. Sri Lanka | 330,000 MT

Favorite Teas by Nation:

• China: Green tea reigns supreme, accounting for roughly 60% of total tea production in 2021. Popular varieties include Longjing (around 15,000 tons annually) and Dragonwell with around 5,000 tons (source: [4]). - Black tea production is also significant, with varieties like Yunnan black tea.
  
• India: Black tea dominates with Assam and Darjeeling leading the pack. Assam production is estimated at around 500,000 tons annually, while Darjeeling production is smaller but more valuable due to its delicate flavor (Source [5]).
• Kenya & Sri Lanka: Black tea is most popular. Kenyan Black tea production is around 430,000 tons annually, while Sri Lanka's Ceylon black tea production is around 300,000 tons (Source [6] and [7]).

Global Tea Consumption - A Varied Landscape:

The average tea consumption per person varies greatly:

• Turkey: The undisputed champions, consuming an average of 4 kg per person annually (Source [8]).
• Ireland: Renowned for strong black tea (typically English Breakfast blend) with milk and sugar, with an estimated consumption of 2.2 kg per person annually (Source: [9]).
• Morocco: Mint tea, a symbol of hospitality, is enjoyed throughout the day. Consumption figures are difficult to quantify due to the prevalence of homegrown mint and informal brewing practices.

Tea Rituals Around the World - A Celebration of Culture:

• China: Gongfu Cha ceremony emphasizes brewing skills and appreciating tea's subtle nuances. Small clay pots and multiple infusions are used to extract the full flavor profile of the leaves (Source [10]).
• Japan: The elegant Japanese tea ceremony (chado) is a meditative experience focused on harmony and mindfulness. Every aspect, from the preparation to the utensils, is imbued with symbolism. (Source [11])
• Russia: The samovar, a wood or coal-fired urn, plays a central role in Russian tea culture. Black tea is brewed strong, often enjoyed with jams, preserves / varenye, and pastries / pirozhki (Source [12]).
• Britain: Afternoon tea, a social gathering with finger foods like scones, clotted cream, and sandwiches, accompanied by various black teas like Assam or Darjeeling (Source [13]).
• Frisian Tea Culture: Nestled along the North Sea coast, East Friesland (a region in Lower Saxony, Germany) boasts a unique tea culture steeped in history and tradition.
  
  History: The story begins in the 17th century when tea first arrived in Europe. Due to poor water quality, East Frisians readily adopted tea as a safer and more flavorful alternative to local beer. Interestingly, this shift from beer to tea caused some controversy as beer exports were a source of income for the region. (Source [14])
  
  
  
  A Cultural Cornerstone: Over centuries, tea consumption in East Friesland skyrocketed. Today, the Frisians are one of the world's highest consumers of tea per capita, averaging up to a staggering 300 liters per person annually! (Source [15])
  

We, the tea enthusiasts at PoM, are passionate about sharing the wonders of tea. - However, we understand that everyone's body is unique, and what works for one person may not be suitable for another. Read carefully following note for your own health:

We encourage you to discuss any questions or concerns you may have about tea consumption with your doctor. They can provide personalized advice based on your individual health needs.

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For Bookmarking and re-reading:
- 19th May 2024 ... part 1: A Global Journey Through Tea Ceremonies 
- 20th May 2024 ... part 2: Tea for Your Health ... A Steamy Brew of Benefits 
- 21st May 2024 ... part 3: Unveiling the Serenity ... a deeper Dive into the Japanese Tea Ceremony

... and subscribe our free Newsletter (scroll down to the bottom of this page).

Link list (sources):

[1] Wikipedia - Shennong
[2] The Tea Guardian - History of Tea
[3] Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO): top tea producers (2019)  
[4] Tea Business Magazine - China Green Tea Production
[5] Statista - Tea Production in India
[6] Statista - Tea Production in Kenya
[7] Statista - Tea Production in Sri Lanka
[8] Worldatlas - Tea Drinking Countries
[9] Euromonitor International - Tea Consumption in Ireland
[10] Wikipedia - Gongfu Cha
[11] The Spruce Eats - Origin of Tea ... Japanese Tea Ceremony
[12] Russia Beyond - How to drink Russian Tea
[13] Wikipedia - Afternoon tea
[14] The Touristin - Travel Germany - Enjoy a Tea Ritual in East Friesland
[15] Niedersachsen-Tourism - East Frisian Tea Culture - UNESCO World Heritage