There's no single "best" tea country, as it depends on preference, but China is the birthplace and largest producer of diverse teas (green, black, oolong), while India excels in robust black teas like Darjeeling and Assam. Other top contenders known for quality and unique styles include Japan (matcha, sencha), Sri Lanka (Ceylon), Kenya, and even South American countries for Yerba Mate, with the "best" often found in specific regional varieties like China's Dragon Well or India's Darjeeling.
The top countries that are recognized for producing the finest teas include China, India, Sri Lanka, Turkey, and Vietnam.
There's no single "World No. 1 Tea" as it depends on metrics (production, consumption, quality), but black tea is most consumed globally, while China leads in production, followed by India. Highly revered teas include China's Da Hong Pao ("King of Teas"), India's Darjeeling, and Turkey's high per capita consumption.
This is a list of countries ordered by annual per capita consumption of tea, as of 2016. Tea consumption per country Rize çayı, the traditional Turkish black tea. As of 2025, Turkey still leads the global consumption.
These countries are located within the tropical belt: China, India, Kenya, and Sri Lanka are the largest producers and exporters, but many other regions also supply a significant portion of the market's production.
Countries that Produce the Best Tea in the World
Neither tea nor coffee is definitively "healthier"; both offer significant antioxidant benefits and are linked to reduced risks of chronic diseases, but their different caffeine levels and compounds like L-theanine in tea provide different effects, making the better choice dependent on individual needs, with tea often favored for calm focus and coffee for alertness, notes Healthline and The Washington Post, respectively. Both are great for heart health, but tea's L-theanine promotes relaxation, while coffee's higher caffeine offers a stronger energy boost, says Healthline and this Healthline article.
Jorhat in Assam is known as the Tea Capital of the World. The factors responsible for tea production in Assam are ample rainfall, low altitude, humid climate, and optimum temperature. Follow for more @justjorharthingsofficial.
Ahmet goes on to explain that the reason Turkish tea is so special is because the colder climate along the coast sees plants covered in snow in the winter. This frosting acts as a natural barrier to diseases, meaning the plants don't need chemical protection, lending the leaves a natural, strong flavour.
Green Tea. Green tea is often touted as the healthiest tea. It is chock full of polyphenols and antioxidants that help to boost brain and heart health. Green tea is considered one of the least processed true teas as it does not undergo oxidation.
However, it is Da Hong Pao, not Pu-Erh, that holds the record for the highest tea price, reaching an astounding $1.2 million per kilogram.
Rose Congou Emperor. Indulge in the luxurious taste of Rose Congou Emperor, a premium black tea that is a popular choice among tea lovers and is said to be one of Princess Diana's favorite teas.
First Flush Darjeeling is considered one of the finest teas to be produced worldwide. It's the earliest harvest of the year, usually picked in April when the first spring rains spread across the Himalayan foothills, turning the gardens green in a flush of colour.
Tea originated in China, where it was discovered and cultivated for centuries, becoming a deeply ingrained part of its culture; however, India later became a massive producer, largely due to British colonial efforts to break China's monopoly, making both countries significant sources of tea today.
Turkish tea uniquely bridges the gap between the various global tea traditions. Unlike English Breakfast tea, which tends to have a milder profile and is commonly enjoyed with milk and sugar, Turkish tea offers a straightforward yet bold taste, served in its purest form.
In many non-Muslim areas of the world, alcohol is often the drink served at gatherings or shared between friends. In Islam however, alcohol is forbidden. Tea has a similar community effect and is often enjoyed in place of alcohol in social and public gatherings.
#1 Turkey Ranks Top for Tea Drinking Countries
In fact, such is its popularity there that the per capita consumption amounts to 3.16 kg or 6.96 lb annually. Black Tea (pronounced “çay”) is the most common type, although other varieties adored include Rosehip Tea (kuşburnu çayı) and Linden Flower Tea (ıhlamur çayı).
China is the largest tea-producing country in the world. In fact, it is the world's biggest exporter and consumer of tea. In 2022, China produced a staggering 3.35 million metric tons of tea.
Lipton Ice Tea, from the Unilever PepsiCo joint venture, is available in the United Kingdom. Lipton tea blends are selected from many different plantations around the world, from well-known producing countries, including Sri Lanka, India, Kenya, and China.
No matter how it's made, tea is one of the world's most refreshing drinks.
We can also rule out foods that had yet to be introduced to the Middle East, such as tea, coffee or sugars derived from sugar beets or cane. Anything indigenous to the New World would have been impossible for Jesus to eat, such as maize corn, pumpkins, peppers, tomatoes, potatoes or chocolate.
“Tea is calorie-free and very rich in antioxidants,” says Whitney Linsenmeyer, a registered dietitian and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. These properties help lower the risk of stroke, improve blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and boost immune function.
Reasons to Avoid Overconsumption of Tea