Most products are so firmly entrenched in our daily lives that we do not think about the history of their origin and how this or that product came to our table. Inspired by legends, one of the most ancient drinks of mankind has spread around the world from the East, and China is considered its ancestral home. We take a sip of this wonderful drink and figure out which country leads the world in tea production.
10
Argentina
Brazil is the leader in the production of coffee, but the Argentines are ahead of their neighbors in the manufacture of another popular drink - tea. Local tribes preferred other drinks, but tea occupied a special place among them.
The first seeds of tea bushes were brought to Argentina only in the 20s of the twentieth century, and today it produces 69.9 thousand tons of tea per year. The development of this industry contributes to the diversity of climatic zones and soils suitable for plant growth.
Argentinean producers are focused on the production of black tea, and mate made from holly leaves has been considered the hallmark of the Latin American country for many years.
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9
Iran
The development of the tea industry in Iran was facilitated by the trade route, known to everyone under the name "silk", along which goods went from China to Europe.
Ancient sources report that the ancient Iranians preferred coffee from hot drinks, but in the 15th century tea began to gradually supplant it. Seeds were brought from India, and tea bushes were grown in only one region of the ancient state.
Today, an amazing country in the Middle East produces about 84 thousand tons of tea per year, and 32 thousand hectares of fertile Iranian land are planted.
8
Japan
The cultivation and consumption of a hot drink in the Land of the Rising Sun is elevated to the rank of art. Three islands are suitable for growing tea bushes, where 88.9 thousand tons of a wonderful tonic drink are produced annually.
The Japanese are so fond of this drink that they export only 2% of the tea produced in the country. The largest producers in Japan are focused on the cultivation of green tea varieties, so beloved by the inhabitants of the country.
Tea traditions of Japan are rooted in hoary antiquity. A guest in any house in Japan is sure to be offered a cup of hot drink, which is considered the height of respect and hospitality.
7
Vietnam
The first tea plantation in modern Vietnam was founded by the French in 1880. A favorable climate and fertile soil contributed to the rapid development of the industry, and in the early twentieth century, Vietnam began to export the drink to Europe and Africa.
Now the tea giants of the Far Eastern country produce a little more than 117 thousand tons of tea per year, both for domestic consumption and for export. Vietnam produces mainly low-grade tea varieties that are machined, and only 5% of the total production are elite varieties of black and green tea.
Here they produce a special variety of Shan Tuet, made from a tree that grows only in the expanses of this exotic and amazing country, washed by the waters of the South China Sea.
6
Indonesia
An island nation in the Pacific Ocean was for many years a colony of the Netherlands, and tea production here began during the Dutch domination in 1700.
Local peoples did not accept the new drink, and so historically, the main varieties of the drink are made for export. Indonesia produces about 150 thousand tons of tea annually, of which 65% is exported to other countries.
The Indonesian varieties that have spread on the islands of the Pacific Ocean are not as famous as the Indian or Chinese varieties, since the Indonesians traditionally mix their local tea varieties with others. They specialize in both black and green varieties of the drink.
5
Turkey
Fifth place in the world for the collection of this popular culture is firmly occupied by Turkey. The annual collection is approximately 175 thousand tons, and the main production is concentrated in a small area near the town of Rize.
Therefore, varieties from this country are known in Europe and the New World under the name Riesa. The world knows Turkish coffee, but in Turkey there are special traditions for making tea. It is brought to a high concentration in the samovar, and then diluted in cups with water.
A high place in the tea industry in Turkey is ensured by high customs tariffs on imported varieties from other countries. This country simply defended its manufacturer, providing conditions for the development of the industry.
4
Sri Lanka
A total of 19 hectares near the city of Kandy, the British planter James Taylor in 1867 began to grow tea, and today Sri Lanka produces 295 thousand tons of tea.
The popularity of Ceylon tea in the world was promoted by Arthur Conan Doyle, whose heroes of the novels used a hot drink from the shores of the Indian Ocean. Sri Lanka is perhaps the only country in the world whose export is aimed only at the sale of a hot drink.
The world knows the same varieties as Ceylon black, green and Ceylon white tea. Established on the island and the production of red tea. You can buy Ceylon basilur tea from official representatives, Russians especially respect Greenfield, and thebiggest.ru is in solidarity with most residents of the Russian Federation in this preference.
3
Kenya
The largest producer of tea in Africa is Kenya, which annually collects a little more than 370,000 tons. There are no huge plantations, and most importantly, production is concentrated on small farms where manual labor is used.
Entering the global tea market as one of the last countries on our list, Kenya has focused on innovative technologies. Kenyan farmers and breeders are focused on obtaining new varieties that are easily adapted to the weather conditions of the country.
A dry and hot climate is not very suitable for growing tea crops, therefore in Kenya single-leaf artesian tea grown on small plantations is especially appreciated.
2
India
The average annual tea production in India is approximately 900 thousand tons, which puts it in second place in this category. And who in the world does not know, the best Indian varieties.
It all started with the fact that the British colonialists imported plant seeds from China, and the East India Company began to actively cultivate the plantation production and export of tea to Europe. Huge areas of the most suitable land for growing this crop were given under tea shrubs.
Despite the popularity of Indian tea in the world, 70% of production remains within the borders of the country, so the Indians pay tribute to this wonderful tonic drink.
1
China
The first to produce tea varieties is undoubtedly China, producing on average over 1 million tons of tea products per year. He also acts as the largest exporter.
If we compare global indicators, then Chinese products in the tea industry occupy from 30 to 35%. Traditions are rooted in the distant past, because the ancient Chinese began to take the drink as a medicine, and then it became, in fact, the national drink of the state.
Listing all the Chinese species is quite difficult, but lovers in different countries have appreciated Chinese ginseng, oolong, puer and white teas.
Summary
Our ranking of countries that are ahead of all in production and export has come to an end. In conclusion, we will plunge into the past a little more and say that, according to Chinese legend, the hero Shen-nong discovered this wonderful drink to the world. At first it was used as a medicine, and only then it became one of the most common and favorite drinks, without which it is difficult to imagine morning, as well as evening communication at the family table.
Posted by Valery Skiba