Teas of the world-the countries worldwide producing tea today

The Tea Detective
Uncovering and Exploring the Facts About Tea

Teas of the World

For many generations tea drinkers have looked to and trusted China, Japan, and India for their
daily cup of tea. When we think about tea production we automatically think of these countries,
and although they are some of the top tea producers, they are joined today by many other
countries worldwide where quality tea is being made on a much smaller basis, much handmade
specialty artisan tea produced on small farms or co-ops, and in some instances even at home,
right at the kitchen table, rolled and fired in small batches, one at a time.

As early as ten years ago there were few specialty
tea shops and for those in existence the selection
of available teas was meager at best. Today there
is an abundance of tea shops, as well as quality
online stores and mail order, with the choices
seemingly endless.

The advent of air freight and vacuum packaging
has evened the playing field, so to speak. It has
allowed small tea farms, co-ops, and even individ-
ual families to market and sell their specialty and
handmade artisan teas worldwide, something that
wasn't possible even a decade ago.

Today tea is produced in over 50 countries. Many
produce small batches of what is considered "local
teas," available in an almost mind boggling variety

of styles and flavors (there is said to be over 20,000 distinct tea variations) that can now be air
freighted to the West, arriving in a matter of days, fresh and flavorful as ever due to vacuum
packaging.

The top ten tea producing countries are (in order of production
amounts): China, India, Kenya, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Turkey,
Japan, Vietnam, Argentina, and Bangladesh, with China and India
consistently vying for the number one slot.

Nearly every tea producing country has stepped up efforts with
increased production, wider selection, and upgrading quality where needed. In some cases old
factories and machinery are being upgraded and new processing facilities are being built and
many small tea farms and co-ops are adding new handmade specialty and organic teas, all in
response to the increasing demand for more tea worldwide.

Up and Coming World Tea Producers

There are places you may not expect to see tea production, but as the demand for high quality
tea continues to rise, the amount needed to meet that demand grows exponentially with it.
The top three tea producing countries are forever rivals, China and India at number one and
two, with the number three slot going to Kenya.

On a much smaller scale for production are countries like Taiwan whose tea industry began in
the mid 1850's, when Chinese immigrants left their Fujian home and migrated there. By the
end of the 19th century nearly two million former Fujian residents had made their way to the
island, bringing their excellent tea making skills with them.

Today Taiwan is helping meet the worldwide demand for high quality teas, exporting about
70% of its annual yield of green and black tea, along with their oolong teas for which they're
most famous.

In Bangledesh, where the first tea garden was planted in 1857, the Bangladesh Tea research
Institute is working on developing a new higher yielding clone that produces more tea per acre,
thus increasing the amount of tea available for export.

Indonesia, whose tea industry went into a decline after WWII has worked
tirelessly to come back. With an increase in production and improvement in
quality, they are helping to meet the ever growing demand worldwide for
CTC teas for tea bag blends, producing 165 metric tons in 2004.

Bolivia is mostly unknown as far as tea production goes. Tea cultivation
began there in the 1930's when German and Dutch companies established
plantations and processing facilities, but at the end of 2001 only two fac-
tories remained, with just a handful of tea farmers continuing to grow tea.

In 2005 their tea industry was revived with help from the United States Agency for International
Development (USAID). Today more than 200 Bolivian farms operate, growing organic teas and
specialty black, green, and jasmine teas.

In the foothills of the Caucasus Mountains that form the border between Georgia and Russia,
the conditions are perfect for growing tea, with clean air, fertile soil, abundant rain, and clear
running water. Here Georgia tea growers are producing fine, organic handmade teas, some
right in their own kitchens.

Just as in China, where each generation hands down their secrets, skills, and knowledge of tea

production, the Georgian elders teach the next generation how to produce the highest quality, mot fragrant, flavorful
teas possible. From plucking to rolling, each family has its own methods of making tea that is passed down.

For decades Georgian families have been quietly making quality orthodox black teas by hand. Now, with help from a
local entrepreneur and other businesses, these teas are finally finding their way onto the world market, where their
quality and flavor are driving demand.

These are just a few examples of up and coming tea producing countries that are working to bring quality teas to our
table. It's an exciting time for tea growers as more people everyday realize teas pleasures and benefits.

Stop by often as we explore each country individually, looking at the types of tea they produce, the processing
methods, climate and growing seasons, and other interesting aspects of the people and cultures that allow us to
experience the amazing array of teas that are being brought to our tables everyday. Enjoy.

To learn more or for more information about tea, visit our other pages:

The teas of Japan-where age old tradition meets new age demand.
Follow the history of tea drinking in Japan beginning around the eighth century Nara period through
today and learn about Japan's teas and production process in bright, shiny state-of-the-art factories
that turn out some of the world's finest teas.

Which three teas is India most famous for?
Learn about India and the teas it's best known for, as well as the growing season, climate, and terrain.

Which teas come from China?
Learn which types of tea come from China and take a close-up look at individual teas, their qualities,
growing season, and which are available as exports.

Herbal teas-bringing together tea and herbs, two of nature's powerhouses.
Tea and herbs together form a powerful healing and nutritional element to your everyday diet. Find out
why herbal teas are so beneficial to your health.

How to make your own blended and flavored teas.
Can't find a favorite flavor of tea to your liking? Make your own. Get tips and learn how to create your
own unique blended and flavored tea recipes (Try Chocolate W/Chocolate Chips Tea from Silver Leaf Tea)

What do wine and tea harvests have in common?
Wine and tea share many similarities. Learn about some common traits shared as well as the exacting
process for creating blended teas, along with a description of some popular classic tea blends.

Is each type of tea brewed differently? How long should tea be steeped?
Brew a perfect cup of tea by paying attention to the details. Learn the proper water temperature for
each type of tea, along with steeping times and which teas can be infused more than once. Also how to
visually gauge water temps using an old Chinese method.

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An easy-to-use ingenuiTEA teapot, whose ingenious design has been featured in The New York Times, Time Magazine and HGTV.

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Gifts for lovers of tea with free wrapping of all items.