Which Country Drinks the Most Tea? + 12 More Tea Facts

Our love affair with tea has been going on for nearly 4,800 years now. Over the years, our tea obsession has left a mark on the world, influenced politics, improved our health and has made history. So take 5, put the kettle on, brew a cup of tea and find out why we can’t live without the good stuff.  

1. Blocks of tea were once used as a currency in Siberia

Which was continued right up until the 1800s.

 

2. Out of more than 3,000 tea varieties, black tea is the world’s favorite tea

It makes up around 75% of the world’s tea use.

 

3. Tea doesn’t just help prevent cancer and heart disease

It can speed up the healing of cuts, remove odors, soothe sunburn, fertilize your soil, slow down bleeding, get rid of cold sores and remove warts.

 

4. Tea was discovered in 2737BC

By the Chinese emperor Shen Nung . In 350AD, a Chinese dictionary cites tea for the first time as Erh Ya. And in 1589, Europeans first heard about tea when a famous author wrote about the secret of Asians long lives being because of tea.

 

5. The world’s #1 producer of tea is China

In 2009, China produced approximately 1,360,000 tons with India coming second by producing just under 980,000 tons.

 

6. Tea plants need 50 inches of rain a year

While coffee needs around 90 inches.

 

7. Only 120 liters of water makes 1 liter of tea

Whereas 1,120 liters of water is needed to produce just 1 liter of coffee.

 

8. Which country drinks the most tea per person? Britain, right?

You’re wrong. It’s Turkey. Closely followed by Ireland and then Britain.

 

9. After water, tea is the most consumed drink in the world

With beer coming in third.

 

10. In one year, 37 people were injured by tea cozies in the UK

And another 18 people reporting injuries made by teapots.

 

11. Don’t throw away your tea bags

Tea contains astringent tannins (contained mostly in green & black teas) that can shrink swollen tissues. By applying damp tea bags to an affected area you can naturally relieve bee stings, insect bites, toothaches, inflamed gums and soothe conjunctivitis.

 

12. It can take between 4 and 12 years for a tea plant to produce a seed

We need to wait another three years before a new plant is ready for harvesting. And - if a tea plant is left alone, it can grow up to 16 meters tall.

 

13. The ‘Boston Tea Party’ was the first event that set off the American Revolution

An event that went against the Tea Act of 1773.