Tea Around the World: Cultures, Ceremonies, History

I used to be a coffee drinker and was addicted to that rush of caffeine throughout my day, but these days I am tea obsessed which of course sends me off on a learning journey to discover the tea cultures of the world.

The culture of tea begins in China. Archaeological studies of Han‑era tombs near Xi’an indicate tea (Camellia sinensis) was in use by the 2nd century BCE. Some finds are associated with the period of Emperor Jingdi, but the specific claim that tea leaves were buried with the emperor himself is not confirmed. From these early roots, tea culture spread across Asia and eventually around the globe.

Originally tea production was only cultivated and drunk as herbal medicine to treat everything from sore throats to digestive issues.  Monks began to drink it for its calming effects and soon it began to be more widely used. Over time the various Chinese tea ceremonies went from being religious activities to social and cultural activities.

You can also explore our Food by Country: Global Cuisine & Traditional Dishes, where we cover food from around the world.

The history of tea around the world

Loose leaf tea reached Western Europe via Dutch East India shipments and Portuguese merchants around 1610. In England, it entered public life through London coffeehouses later in the century; Thomas Garway (also spelled Garraway) began advertising and selling tea to the public in 1657–1658 at his Exchange Alley house, promoting its healthful qualities.

Tea quickly gained popularity and by 1700 hundreds of coffeehouses sold it to their customers. As tea rose, the government levied heavy duties; the price pressure reshaped drinking habits.

Licensing and high duties made legal tea expensive. By the mid‑18th century, smuggling networks flourished across Britain and its coasts; contemporary estimates suggest contraband supplied a large share of domestic consumption.

In the 19th century, British merchants raced the new season’s tea from China to London aboard fast “tea clippers.” Captains earned premiums for the first cargo to arrive. The most famous surviving clipper is the Cutty Sark (launched 1869), now exhibited in Greenwich.

The Cultural significance of tea

Tea is often associated with respect, and it is seen as a way to show hospitality and respect to guests. One of the most famous is Gongfu Cha, which translates to making tea with skill. This is a traditional Chinese tea ceremony known for its meticulous preparation and appreciation of tea. The Japanese tea ceremony is about connecting on a spiritual level while in Morocco tea is served as a sign of hospitality.

Facts about tea cultures

What is the difference between High Tea and Afternoon Tea?

Tea soon became the preferred drink of the working class when the custom of afternoon tea was launched by the Duchess of Bedford. In the early 1800s, the Duchess was feeling peckish in the late afternoon and so she began the custom of taking tea with dainty sandwiches and other goodies like scones and cake. This fashionable custom sits apart from “high tea,” which was usually served around 6 PM as a substantial meal for working families—bread, meat, pies—accompanied by tea. The “high” refers to the high dining table, not social status.

Who was the first to add milk to tea?
There is no single verified “first.” Adding milk likely developed in Europe in the 17th–18th centuries to temper strong black teas and protect delicate porcelain. The practice became standard in Britain.

What country drinks the most tea?
By total volume, China and India lead global consumption; by per‑capita consumption, Turkey and Ireland are among the highest. Trade bodies and FAO statistics consistently place Turkey at or near the top per capita.

Which is older, coffee or tea?
Tea’s documented use in China predates coffee in Arabia by many centuries. Legendary origins place tea millennia earlier; written records for tea appear long before coffee’s rise in the 15th century.

America and tea?
Tea arrived in colonial America (United States) through British trade. Disputes over tea duties culminated in the Boston Tea Party (1773). Coffee later eclipsed tea culturally in the U.S., but iced tea and specialty imports keep tea significant.

Who invented Iced Tea?
Sweetened iced tea recipes appear in 19th‑century American cookbooks. Popular lore credits Richard Blechynden with promoting iced tea at the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair, which accelerated its mainstream appeal.

Who invented tea bags?
Tea bags emerged in the early 1900s; New York merchant Thomas Sullivan’s silk sachets (c. 1908) helped popularize the concept, later standardized in paper filter bags.

24 Tea Cultures of the world

Gongfu Tea Ceremony China

One of the most famous tea ceremonies in China is the Gongfu tea ceremony. Its name, gongfu cha, translates to “making tea with skill” and often features oolong, prepared and served to guests as a sign of respect. The whole ceremony usually lasts 20–25 minutes with the last step being the actual drinking of the tea. For that, the guests hold the cup with both hands and drink it in three sips.

Salt Tea & Tumuru Tea Pakistan

The north of Pakistan is a hostile environment, especially during winter. Surrounded by the mighty mountain ranges of the Hindu Kush, Himalayas and Karakoram, some of the tallest mountains in the world are located here like K2 and Nanga Parbat.

The usual way is to make a cup of milk tea and then take a salt stone and stir it in the cup until it is salty enough for your taste. The salt stone is usually presented to guests as well rather than using ground salt which is considered manufactured and impure by locals. 

The tea is steeped and then poured into cups and then a salt stone is used to make it savoury. The best way to experience this is to enjoy this tea with a slice of soft spongy apricot cake, a speciality of the region. A cup of savoury Tumuru tea with a slice of apricot cake overlooking Hunza valley or Passu cones is a pleasure that’s unmatched in the entire world.

Argentinian Mate

Yerba mate, also known as mate, is an herbal tea. It’s a traditional drink in Latin and South America. It’s made by steeping dried leaves from the yerba mate plant in hot water. Yerba mate can be served cold or hot. Mate is the Argentinian national drink.

Mate tea is made from the yerba mate (pronounced yehr-bah mah-teh,) a South American holly tree similar to the tea plant. It’s not strictly tea as it’s not made from the tea plant, but it has similar benefits to tea since it’s similarly high in antioxidants and contains caffeine. In South America it’s drunk from a hollow gourd with loose leaves, hot water and a metal strainer straw; in Argentina nearly everyone walks around with the iconic cups in their hand.

Turkish tea rituals

From Istanbul to Cappadocia, street corners, tea gardens and shops are full of locals sipping a glass of sweet black tea. Although Turks today consume an amazing 4 cups of tea a day on average, the drink only became popular in the early 20th Century. Before that coffee was the drink of choice.

At the wish of Atatürk, the founder of Turkey, people turned to drinking tea in the aftermath of World War I. During the war Turkey lost some of their lands to the south where coffee was grown and as a result coffee prices rose. However, tea could still be grown in Turkey.

Turkish tea is made in a special pot called çaydanlık. The pot has two parts stacked on top of each other. Water is brought to a boil in the lower part and in the upper part, loose tea leaves and a little bit of water produce a strong black tea. It is always served with a few lumps of sugar in a small tulip-shaped glass on a small saucer.

Bedouin Tea Jordan

Although today much of Jordan’s Bedouin population has evolved towards a life more intertwined with modern conveniences, the traditions of tea culture have not shifted.  The most common tea in Jordan is prepared with water and sugar brought to a boil over tea leaves until the liquid takes on a beautiful golden colour.  A sprig of mint is added for flavour and the tea is served on a central tray in small, short glasses without handles. 

Innate character traits of the nomadic Bedouins mean hospitality is extended to any stranger or visitor they meet.  As a traveller in Jordan, you will be welcome to share tea on any day and at all times.  Evenings in Petra and the surrounding villages come alive with locals all sitting on the steps and in the doorways of their homes and shops, drinking tea and carrying on traditions of Bedouin life. 

Cameron Highlands Tea Plantations

For a taste of the British tea tradition in South East Asia, look no further than the Cameron Highlands. Located in the Pahang district of Western Malaysia, this hilly area is home to a thriving tea and vegetable production industry. It is quite easily reached from Kuala Lumpur or Penang by road and is popular for its refreshingly cooler temperatures. 

Visitors to the Cameron Highlands can enjoy a tour of the Boh Sungei Palas Tea Plantation, where you can learn all about the tea culture and harvesting. Follow the tour with a pleasant afternoon tea and a side of cake at the café, which offers stunning panoramic views of the plantations. 

Iced Tea Thailand

What is it about Thai iced tea that makes it so special? For starters, this deliciously sweet drink has a rich history behind it. It was originally used as a herbal remedy in China for treating colds and sore throats. And ever since then, this refreshing beverage became a favourite among locals and foreigners alike who have visited Thailand.

Although the traditional Thai drink has now been around for centuries and the recipe hasn’t changed. It’s typically made with black tea, sugar, and cardamom-infused water, but there are many variations in the recipe as well. The colour of the drink ranges from dark brown to light caramel depending on how much milk has been added to it. You can add milk, coconut milk, and honey.

The iconic beverage is drunk daily by locals (much like we drink a daily coffee) and can be found on nearly every street corner. In Bangkok and Chiang Mai there are street vendors everywhere selling Thai iced tea for around $1 or less. It’s refreshing, sweet and delicious, with just the right amount of caffeine to keep you awake without feeling jittery during the day.

Masala chai India

Masala Chai: the spicy, sweet, creamy, zingy and herbal steaming concoction can be found all over the streets of India from local chaiwala stalls to upscale restaurants. The drink has been a popular tea ritual in India for over a century.

Masala Chai is prepared using black tea leaves, and for the majority, a combination of cardamom, black pepper and ginger. There are variants of this base mixture throughout different regions in India where ingredients such as cloves, cinnamon, star anise, fennel seed, honey, vanilla and even rose petals are added. 

The blend is steeped until it reaches a rich brown colour. Sugar and milk are then combined using an airing technique where the tea is poured from high above into the cup several times over. Traditionally, Masala Chai is served in a small clay cup so that it can be smashed and repurposed to make more. This way of serving Chai is still present today.

Tea Belize

Hugging the shores of the Caribbean, Belize is a Central American country that might not be known as a country with tea culture to the travelling masses. And yet, tea is a popular drink here because of the country’s colonial past. 

A former British colony, Belize was formerly known as British Honduras and gained independence in 1981 after a long political campaign. While the country has been changing over the last decades, many British traditions are alive and well in Belize and tea time is one of them. 

Ceylon Tea Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is one of the fourth-largest tea producers and the third-largest exporter of tea in the world. Most of the tea grown in Sri Lanka is Ceylon tea. This is a variety of black tea with a high content of caffeine and a full-bodied taste. The tea gets its specific taste because of the conditions it grows in, at higher altitudes, in a rainy, cold environment. Ceylon Tea is part of Sri Lanka’s heritage and culture. When you visit the country, you will find Ceylon tea everywhere, from the breakfast buffet of your hotel to tea shacks on the side of the road.

In Sri Lanka, Ceylon tea is usually drunk in the afternoon, to unwind after a busy day. Because of the high content of caffeine, Ceylon tea is a perfect energy booster but also a fantastic antioxidant. As it’s quite strong, Ceylon tea is served with milk and sugar. To make it less strong, for people who are not used to it, it is recommended to brew it only half of the recommended time. A great way to learn more about Ceylon tea is by visiting the tea plantations in Sri Lanka’s Highlands.  

Teh Singapore 

Singapore is a melting pot of diversity with a mix of Chinese, Indian and Malay, making it an exciting place to discover tea culture when travelling. 

Teh (as in teh tarik—“pulled tea”) originated from the Indian‑Muslim immigrants who first arrived to work on the rubber plantations. Teh is very different from chai (well regarded in India) as it is heavily sweetened with condensed milk and is derived from pulling the tea during the pouring process.

There are several ways to have teh, which include Teh Ais (sweetened with condensed milk and served cold with ice cubes), Teh Tarik Madu (blended with honey and served cold), Teh Halia (served with ginger), Teh‑C (made with unsweetened evaporated milk) and Teh‑O (refers to black tea).

High tea is everywhere in Singapore, first introduced by the British but now loved by everyone. You can have everything from Peranakan‑style high tea to a Middle Eastern high tea extravaganza. Hotels, restaurants and cafés all offer high tea, and although the main focus is the food, the teas that accompany the little bite‑size foods usually come in varying flavours and regions. 

Milk Tea Hong Kong 

The food scene in Hong Kong is vibrant and diversified, making exploring different kinds of dishes in Hong Kong an exciting experience. Begin your journey at a cha chaan teng (Hong Kong‑style café), where not only the food but also its style and culture became a sensation in the world. 

Nicknamed pantyhose milk tea, Hong Kong adapted various tea cultures around the world and made it their own by pouring a black tea blend into a sackcloth bag repeatedly, adding evaporated milk or condensed milk, creating a smooth and silky texture with a multi‑layered and strong aftertaste. Locals have made it their comfort drink that many cannot go without having in the morning. 

While the black tea blend changes from place to place, the ability to brew a good cup of milk tea has become a standard for any cha chaan teng. The most authentic milk tea is often served in a Black & White Company mug, a local dairy producer in Hong Kong with a long history.

Chaii Iran

Iran is one of the world’s greatest tea‑drinking nations. It is the drink of choice that is served for breakfast, lunch, dinner and in between. It is so central in Persian cuisine that it’s the first thing offered to a guest. Travelling in Iran, therefore, means lots of invitations for a cup of tea. 

Tea was introduced to Iran from India and China somewhere in the 18th century. Now Iran grows its own tea in the lush green mountains of Gilan. Iranian tea has a unique taste and the reddish‑brown colour is an indication of the tea’s quality.

Iranians like their tea sweet. They often serve it with sugar cubes that Iranians put in between their teeth. As they sip the tea the sugar melts. Guests are often served nabat—crystallized sugar on a stick—to stir their tea.  

Most homes have a samovar, a large kettle with boiling water that keeps the tea warm in the teapot on top. The tea is often very strong and can be diluted with water from the samovar. Turning the samovar on is one of the first things people do when they wake up and it will be on till late at night. The tea is made from loose‑leaf black tea with cardamom pods added to the brew.

Cha China

The story of tea began in China thousands of years ago, and today tea is still the beverage of choice all over the country. Drinking tea is always accompanied by a small tea ceremony, even when drinking tea by oneself or with family or friends. 

First, the leaves are washed by pouring boiling water over the leaves and then immediately throwing it out into the small cups. This washes both the tea leaves and the cups and is not drunk.

 The second brew is supposed to be steeped for only 15 seconds before serving. Add ten seconds of steeping time for every pot after this. The host will keep the tea flowing until the guests make it clear that they’ve had enough. As part of the tea ceremony, the host will pour tea not only in the cups but also on tea pets and other ornaments on the tea tray. These ornaments either change colour, spurt out water or move when in contact with the hot tea.

For the best green tea in the country, head to the Longjing Tea plantation in Hangzhou where you can pick your own leaves (in spring), or enjoy a cup of China’s finest green tea in its natural habitat. 

Bubble Tea from Taiwan 

Bubble tea culture has its origins in Japan‑occupied Taiwan in the 1940s, when cold drinks and leisure consumption were not yet popularized. In those years, Chang Fan Schu opened a tea shop selling unique rich and creamy tea shaken in a cocktail shaker which gave the tea nice air bubbles. Then in the 1980s, a Taiwanese entrepreneur added tapioca balls to the tea and popularized the trend, which quickly became a Taiwanese icon. 

Bubble tea also has a deeper meaning for the Taiwanese, who see it as a symbol of a society transitioning from old to new that was taking place at the same time bubble tea was invented. 

What is bubble tea? Bubble tea, also called boba tea or black pearl tea, is basically tea with milk and bubbles either made of tapioca or jelly. It is shaken and drunk cold. Today, it comes in different flavours such as fruit tea, green bubble tea or bubble latte. Most people in the world have tasted bubble tea at least once in their lives, as the trend and bubble tea franchises have spread worldwide with great success. 

Trà Mạn, Trà xanh, Trà ướp hương Vietnam

The ritual of tea shows up in Vietnamese cafés. Often patrons of a café will be served a free cup of hot green tea upon sitting down. Even when ordering a coffee, the customer may be served complimentary hot tea as well.

The three types of tea available in Vietnam include green tea, black tea and scented tea. Scented tea is made with lotus blossoms and it takes a very long time to infuse the tea leaves with the flavour and scent so the tea is very expensive.

There are many types of tea available in the country. In the popular destination of Hoi An, in Central Vietnam, one of the most common complementary teas served is made from pandan leaves. While not easily found in tourist shops, it can be purchased at nearly any grocery store in town. Pandan tea has a subtle flavour and pain‑relieving properties. Contribution by Michelle C. from IntentionalTravelers.

Atay Morocco

Making tea is considered a sign of hospitality and friendship, and no matter if you’re family or a traveller visiting Morocco, chances are the host at your lodge will make some for you. I had some at my lodge in Marrakech, and it was highly refreshing!

While women are in charge of the meals, the man of the house traditionally undertakes the task and uses tea leaves, mint leaves and lots of sugar to brew it.

Tea leaves are boiled in hot water and then strained into the teapot. Sugar and mint leaves are then added at last. Once ready, the tea has to be poured from a height of at least 12 inches in such a way that it causes foam to form at the top of the glass. Only when it does is the tea considered ready to be drunk.

Tea Ceremony Japan  

The Japanese tea ceremony is a way of preparing and drinking green tea and is typically done in a traditional tearoom. Kyoto is a great city to experience a tea ceremony for the first time. Some tea houses in Kyoto offer classes to tourists who want to learn the traditional tea ceremony and will also encourage you to wear kimonos they provide.

Guests who are part of a tea ceremony ideally sit in a seiza position on a tatami floor. A seiza position is where your legs are bent and knees are forward, and you are sitting on your heels. (For some people, this is very uncomfortable!)

A sweet will typically be served first. Then, the tea bowl is placed in front of a guest, with its front facing them. They will pick it up with their right hand and place it on their left palm. Then turn it clockwise so that the front is not facing them. The tea should then be drunk in a few sips and set back onto the floor.

Slurping the last sip of your tea is actually a sign that you enjoyed the tea and is a compliment to the host. A formal tea ceremony can take several hours. However, most tea ceremonies nowadays are much shorter in length.

Teh Bali

Bali might not be the first place you think of when it comes to tea ceremonies. While Indonesia has a lot to offer, tea is not what people tend to associate with it. However, in the heart of Bali, close to Ubud you’ll find that tea tastings are actually quite common.

Bali is actually known for speciality coffee, not tea.The coffee plantations have become a tourist hotspot and not all visitors know that a lot of different teas are also produced here. Both the teas and coffees are sold on‑site and to promote their products most plantations offer their tastings for free. You can simply come by without having to pre‑book anything. You’ll get a quick tour of the location and even an introduction to the process of how the teas and coffees are made. 

Tea Malta

Malta’s strategic importance as a trading post and naval base has made it an attractive place to possess. Arabs, Romans, Crusaders, French, and British, among others, colonized the islands at various times. Each group left its mark on Malta’s language, architecture, customs, traditions, and food.

What is traditional Maltese tea? At the heart of Malta’s tea culture is pastizzi, and it is only when one orders pastizzi and tea that traditional Maltese tea is revealed.

Pastizzi are a popular savoury snack resembling a small diamond‑shaped croissant. The most famous pastizzeria is Is‑Serkin (Crystal Palace) in Rabat on the island of Malta. Its status is legendary; its pastizzi are reputed to be the best in the islands and oft‑cited as one of the many interesting things to do in Malta.

Karak Chai Qatar

Ever since it was introduced to the country in the 1950s by migrant workers, Karak Chai has become a staple beverage in Qatar and a part of the nation’s culinary heritage. Similar in appearance to Masala Chai, this tea tradition’s Indian‑Pakistani roots are undeniable. But the addition of Qatari cardamom makes the flavour completely unique.

It was workers who first brought the recipe to Qatar and local cafés that put their own spin on it. For travellers, grabbing a glass or two at one of the restaurants or roadside stalls around Souq Waqif is the perfect way to start your day in Doha.

The main ingredient in this classic spiced milk tea is Qatari cardamom. Sometimes cinnamon, cloves and/or ginger are also added. Karak tea is made by boiling loose black tea leaves and spices along with milk (either fresh or evaporated) over low heat to infuse the flavour. It’s then served in small glasses with a healthy spoonful of sugar added to bring out the fragrant spices.

Tea and biscuits United Kingdom

Even though you’ll find some of the best coffee in the world in the UK, it is said the Brits drink up to 165 million cups of tea every day. So not only is tea an integral part of the British identity, it is also a cultural mechanism that has supported the rise of the British Empire.

You can find tea houses and tea rooms all over the UK and even iconic brands such as Twinings, which have had tea shops in London for centuries. Many other original tea brands still exist today. It is a custom to drink tea mixed with milk and sugar which was one of the hooks that saw even more Brits armed with the nation’s favourite hot drink.

Çay Istanbul

Tea in Istanbul is not so much a separate ritual as it is a constant. You’re never far from a shapely small glass of hot, strong tea.

There is tea alongside the rich Turkish desserts and sweets they enjoy in the afternoon. There are lush tea gardens—_çay bahçesi_—tucked between buildings, oases for respite and conversation. There are tea stalls at the train station, in the Grand Bazaar, and even from the back of a little tricycle truck in the middle of the Galata Bridge.

If you’re serving your own tea in your hotel, you’ll need to know how to do it. People drink a lot of tea throughout the day, and everyone has a preferred strength, so as to pace themselves for a day of many glasses of tea. There usually are two samovars: one is filled with super‑strength brewed tea, and another one is filled with hot water to dilute it to the ideal strength. Try filling your glass by perhaps just a third with the strong tea, then topping it off with hot water to start. Sometimes there are fresh mint leaves to add.

For a classic yet completely different Istanbul tea experience, book a table for the afternoon tea at the Pera Palace. This magnificent hotel was built to accommodate the passengers of the Orient Express in style. The grand salon of the hotel is spectacular, fragrant with tall arrangements of fresh flowers, gleaming with polished wood everywhere.

Myanmar tea culture

Myanmar is a nation of tea‑drinking fanatics! Tea shops are the hub of neighbourhood or township gossip and endless cups are consumed starting from very early in the morning.

Myanmar food culture is extremely important and there are many rituals and festivals that involve cooking and eating. Tea leaves are eaten in ritual and everyday snacks and salads.

Tea is grown in the northern, eastern and some central parts of Myanmar. Black tea with milk or condensed milk is sold in tiny cups but black herbal tea is also produced in enormous quantities!

Tea is the first thing you will be invited to have with locals in Myanmar. It is boiled for about twenty minutes and then kept hot in a large thermos to be offered to guests throughout the day.

Butter Tea Ladakh India

Cut off from the rest of the country by the mighty Himalayas, even the tea in Ladakh is different from the plentiful chai throughout the rest of India. Served across the Himalayan region, butter tea is milky, salty and a little oily to the taste and is designed to ward off the harsh mountain weather. 

Butter tea is traditionally made with yak butter and is designed to provide energy and warmth for those living in the high‑altitude Himalayan region where the air is thinner and exercise is more tiring. The tea provides a burst of energy. 

Butter tea is served to visitors at Thiksey Monastery if you come for the morning Pooja (prayer ceremony) with the novice monks and their elders between 6 am–8 am. It’s worth the early start: Thiksey is one of the largest gompas (monasteries) in Ladakh and its towering presence can’t fail to impress. 

 Black tea, green tea, herbal tea, flower tea and all the rituals surrounding the tea we love are fascinating to me. I remember my mother having a brown ceramic teapot that was never washed because it would ruin the flavour of the tea. Personally, I don’t have a favourite tea but would love to try them all—how about you?