Tea 104: Tea Growing Regions

The world is a big place and tea is enjoyed in every corner of it. Tea is, after all, the second most consumed beverage in the world. Each tea growing region imparts its own flavors and styles to its tea, join us as we touch on some of the specifics of each.

China is the birthplace of tea and remains one of the largest tea producers globally. It has a rich tea culture and produces a wide variety of teas, including green tea, black tea, oolong tea, white tea, and pu-erh tea. Famous tea regions in China include Fujian, Zhejiang, Yunnan, and Anhui.

India is one of the largest tea producers in the world. It is renowned for its black teas, particularly Assam and Darjeeling. Assam teas are robust and malty, while Darjeeling teas are prized for their delicate and floral flavors. Other tea-growing regions in India include Nilgiri and Kangra.

Sri Lanka is known for its Ceylon tea, which is predominantly black tea. Ceylon teas are known for their bright and brisk flavors. The country has several tea-growing regions, including Nuwara Eliya, Uva, and Dimbula.

Japan is famous for its green teas, especially matcha, sencha, and gyokuro. Japanese teas are known for their vibrant green color, umami flavor, and meticulous production methods. Some well-known tea regions in Japan include Uji, Shizuoka, and Kagoshima.

Kenya is a major player in the global tea industry and is renowned for its black teas. Quickly gaining popularity in the tea world is purple tea, also typically grown in Kenya. Kenyan teas are known for their bold and robust flavors. Tea production in Kenya is mainly centered around the highlands, including the regions of Kericho, Nandi, and Kisii.

Taiwan, also known as Formosa, is known for its high-quality oolong teas. Taiwanese oolongs are prized for their complex flavors and fragrances. Notable tea regions in Taiwan include Alishan, Dong Ding, and Li Shan.

These are just a few examples of the main tea-producing regions, but tea is grown and enjoyed in numerous other countries, including Nepal, Vietnam, Indonesia, Bangladesh, and many more. Each region has its own unique tea characteristics and contributes to the diverse world of tea.

There are a limited number of tea producers in North America, with one of the largest being Bigelow near Charleston, SC.

Honeybush Tea: Honeybush tea is grown in various regions of South Africa, including the Eastern Cape, Western Cape, and the Langkloof Valley. The Eastern Cape, in particular, is known for its honeybush cultivation. Similar to rooibos, honeybush plants thrive in well-drained, acidic soils and require a Mediterranean-type climate with mild winters and warm summers.

Argentina is the largest producer and consumer of yerba mate. The provinces of Misiones, Corrientes, and Entre Rios are the primary growing regions within Argentina. Misiones, located in the northeastern part of the country, is particularly renowned for its high-quality yerba mate production.

Yerba mate is also cultivated in southern Brazil, primarily in the states of Paraná, Santa Catarina, and Rio Grande do Sul. These regions share borders with Argentina, and the climate and soil conditions are favorable for yerba mate growth.

Paraguay has a long history of yerba mate consumption and production. The region of Alto Paraná, located in the eastern part of the country, is known for its yerba mate plantations.

Yerba mate is also grown in Uruguay, particularly in the northern part of the country near the border with Brazil and Argentina.