Tea has long been a part of the daily routine of many people, with millions of individuals consuming it instead of coffee as their morning drink. In fact, tea is one of the most popular drinks in the world, coming only second to bottled water. It is estimated that about 25,000 cups of tea is consumed per second globally, which amounts to a staggering 2.16 billion cups a day. One of the things that makes tea appealing is its diversity. While black tea remains the most popular, there are other blends around the world that are worth trying.
Sencha Green Tea – Japan
Japan has many cultural exports, and one of these is sencha green tea. Considered as the most popular tea in Japan, it makes up over half of Japan’s yearly tea harvest. It is typically enjoyed at all times of the day in Japan, and it has a refreshing and clean taste. Traditionally, the preparation of sencha green tea, called Senchadō, involves special tools and dishes. However, with its rising popularity as a refreshing beverage, sencha green tea is now easily accessible no matter where you are. As such, even if you are not in Japan, you can still enjoy this tea in the comfort of your home by signing up for a tea of the month subscription box so you drink sencha and other types of tea whenever you're craving for it.
Nilgiri Tea – India
You might have heard of Assam and Darjeeling tea already, but another tea from India is also worth mentioning. Nilgiri tea, which is cultured in the mountain regions of Nilgiri, India is considered as one of the best tea growing regions in the world due to its climate and soil composition. Nilgiri tea has a fragrant yet mild flavor that comes with hints of fruity and floral notes, as well as a creamy mouth feel. These attributes make nilgiri tea perfect for a stressful day.
Rooibos Tea - Africa
While Africa is mostly known for its vast plains and rich wildlife, it may come as a surprise that it has a rich tea culture as well. In fact, roobois tea has been consumed in this region for over 300 years. Despite its long history, it only became a cultivated crop in the 1930s. Today, it is exported to over 31 countries all over the world and is slowly becoming a popular health drink. This is because aside from its robust flavor, roobois is also high in antioxidants and some unique polyphenols that can protect you from diabetes and heart disease.
Butter Tea
Perhaps the most unique out of all the teas mentioned here, butter tea, or po cha, is one of the staple drinks of Tibet. Unlike other teas which are mainly made of plants, butter tea is churned with yak butter, barley flour, and salt. The result is a creamy and soothing drink that is said to give you an energy boost. It is one of the most popular teas in Tibet, and it is said that local Tibetans drink butter tea at least three to 12 times a day.
Tea is truly a versatile drink. Not only can it be used as a base for various blends, but tea in itself comes in various forms. Often, teas from specific parts of the world shape the drinking habits of the people who enjoy them. Sampling teas from these regions can give you a glimpse of these rich tea cultures.
