6 Countries Every Tea Lover Has to Visit At Least Once!

There are only two kinds of people around the world – those who love tea and those who love coffee. For coffee lovers, nothing can replace coffee’s energetic kick or its refreshing smell strong enough to wake up even the most tired soul. On the other hand, the love affair with tea is much deeper. For tea lovers, tea is more than just an instant energy boost; it’s a ritual, a tradition. Tea is that tiny moment of bliss in the midst of a long day. On a rainy day, sipping a cuppa tea sitting by the window is nothing short of peaceful meditation. Tea is also the thread that binds friends together in never ending conversations. That’s the thing about tea, there’s one for every mood and every situation.

“If you are cold, tea will warm you;
if you are too heated, it will cool you;
If you are depressed, it will cheer you;
If you are excited, it will calm you.”
William Ewart Gladstone

For tea addicts, there’s no better way to start the day than by leisurely slurping chai – unless it’s cuppa in a faraway foreign land. So, tea lovers, here’s your guide to finding the best teas around the world.

Turkey

When it comes to loving tea, Turkey stands unbeaten. The Turkish are known to drink on average 6.96 pounds (3.16kg) of tea per capita annually! A classic Turkish tea is black and sweet served in a tiny tulip-shaped class. No matter where you go in Turkey, you will always be welcomed with a warm cup of tea, whether you’re shopping at the Grand Bazaar or checking in to an AirBnb homestay.

Book flights to Istanbul on EMI with Mihuru Splitfare.

China

Turkey may be the biggest tea consumer in the world, but China is where it all began. The Chinese tea culture dates back to 10^th century BC, making the oldest in the world. It was from here, that tea spread to the rest of the world. In China, they don’t love tea, rather they love a multitude of different teas – green, yellow, black (or red as the Chinese call it). For an old school Chinese teahouse experience complete with gossip and a game of mahjong, head to the teahouses in the Sichuan province.

You can now Book flights to Beijing and Shanghai well in advance with Splitfare and pay the remaining amount on EMI.

India

Just like its neighbor China, India not only loves tea but is also one of the largest producers of tea in the world. Although Indians were known to consume tea since ancient times, its real love affair with tea began in the early 19^th century when the British started commercially producing tea in the country. Indians like their tea with milk and laced with spices, obviously. Typically, the legendary masala chai is flavored with spices like cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, cloves and lemongrass. Such is the obsession with chai that you’ll find tiny tea stalls at every nook and corner! If you want to enjoy a proper tea-trip, head to India’s stunning tea estates in Darjeeling, Assam or Munnar where you can stay in a plantation and sip on chai while soaking in spellbinding views.

Morocco

After Turkey, Morocco is the largest consumer of tea. In Morocco, it’s not just their tea that’s fascinating but even their art of preparing and serving the tea. The famed Moroccan mint tea is brewed using pellets of green Chinese gunpowder tea and infused with sugar and mint leaves. The locals call it, Berber Whiskey. Typically, Moroccan mint tea is prepared and served by men; it is a tradition that is passed down from father to son. This tea is consumed throughout the day – during meal times, while taking a break, and in social gatherings.

Japan

You haven’t truly experienced Japanese hospitality and culture until you’ve attended a traditional tea ceremony. In this age old Japanese tea ceremony (also known as Way of Tea), a hostess dressed in a kimono performs the traditional ritual of making and serving matcha tea (powered green tea that’s slightly bitter in taste). To counterbalance the tea’s mildly bitter taste, small sweets are served (thankfully!). The entire ceremony is quite a performance!

United Kingdom

Is it even possible to talk about tea and not mention the United Kingdom? The Chinese may have first made the tea, the Indians may be one of the world’s largest tea producers and the Turks may drink 6.96 pounds of tea per capita annually, but it was the British who put tea in the global spotlight. For the Brits, tea is an inseparable part of their way of life. It would be a shame to visit the United Kingdom and not participate in the four o’clock afternoon tea tradition. Accompanied by cucumber and salmon sandwiches, cakes, and scones with clotted cream, nobody quite does afternoon tea like the Brits!

Let the travel bug bite you and Book flights by paying a small cost upfront and the remaining amount in EMIs.

Time for some tea-tripping around the world, we say!