10 Unique Tea Traditions From Around the World

In honour of International Tea Day on May 21st, we're showing you some of the many wonderful ways different countries from around the world prepare and drink their tea.

Drinking tea is a tradition that goes back almost 5,000 years in ancient China, and since then, tea has spread across the world, with each culture adapting the way they drink it.

Here is a list of 10 unique tea traditions from around the world:

China

One of the most popular methods for making tea in China, the home of tea, is called 'Gongfu cha', which means 'making tea with skill'.

The Gongfu cha way of making tea is as much about the ceremony as the tea itself. To make it properly, you'll need to use tea leaves and serve it in a proper Chinese tea set.

Japan

In Japan, Matcha is made by whisking powdered green tea into boiling water, so you actually eat the tea leaves instead of infusing water with dried leaves. It is commonly served with a sweet known as wagashi.

Taiwan

Bubble tea is originally from Taiwan. It was invented in the 1980s and is made from a combination of tea, milk, and chewy tapioca balls, known as boba.

You'll usually get your bubble tea served in a transparent cup with a wide straw, which lets you suck up the boba.

India

Tea is India's most popular drink. Their tea tradition is so transcendent, that you can find chai vendors just about anywhere in cities boiling delicious milky tea with sugar and spices, such as ginger. It is originally served in small clay pots.

United Kingdom

The most popular tea in the UK is the classic English breakfast, a blend of black tea, served with milk. It is traditionally served in the morning, and don't get this confused with Britain's traditional 'afternoon tea', served along with sandwiches or pastries around 3 to 5 pm.

Russia

In Russia, a tea tradition of hospitality accompanied by cookies, sandwiches, and other treats has continued on through the ages. 

The Russian tea ritual begins after supper with a samovar, which is a decorative kettle used to brew tea concentrate. 

Turkey

A strong, black tea is the cornerstone of Turkish tea culture. It's prepared in two stacked teapots and served in a tulip-shaped glass. 

Milk is never served with Turkish tea.

Morocco

It is Moroccan etiquette to offer mint tea to any visitors that might stop by. Usually the host pours the tea from at least 30cm above the glass, which forms some foam that is a sign of respect.

United States

There are two traditional iced teas in the US: iced tea and sweet tea. The only variation between them is sugar. 

American iced tea began as an alcoholic beverage, with the first hints of a non-alcoholic version not appearing until 1876. Black tea is a clear favorite for sweet tea and iced teas across the US.

Argentina

Originating from Argentina, Yerba Mate, a high-caffeine herbal tea, is made by soaking dried leaves in hot water and traditionally served out of a gourd, with a metal straw.

It has a strong, earthy and bitter taste.