Tea is among the most popular beverages in the world and is an inevitable drink in many cultures. Along with the large demand for reliable tea suppliers, “ which are the top tea growing regions?” is a hot topic interested by many tea distributors, tea buyers, tea shop managers, etc. 

Introduction

From skilled tea growers to experienced factory employees, every single tea mug is the culmination of extraordinary achievements by each engaged in this great delightful product. The environment in which tea is cultivated, including soil, light, and moisture, is one of the factors that affect its quality. There are numerous significant tea growing regions across the world, each with a considerable volume of exported tea, each offering customers a distinctively delightful flavor of the tea. Let’s have a look at them in this article.

1. China

Tea is said to have been grown in China lasting roughly 500 decades due to a millennia-long tradition of usage. The world’s oldest tea leaf was discovered in western China known as Xi’an, specifically Jing Emperor Liu Qi’s tomb. That provided credible proof that tea’s transported to the non tea growing region at least 2100 years ago.

Nowadays, China remains the world’s leading producer of tea. In 2017, the country generated about 2.5 million metric tons. China continues to export green, oolong, black, and “scented” tea to the rest of the world. 

Today, China remains the world’s leading producer of tea. In 2017, China generated approximately 2. 5 million metric tons. China continues providing tea to the rest of the globe including white, oolong, black, and “scented” ones.

Choose the best tea supplier by discovering 6 top tea growing regions in the world
Tea production worldwide from 2006 to 2020, by leading country (Source: Statistics)

Because each region of China is so distinct from the others, it’s advisable to recognize them as separate entities rather than lumping them together under the heading of “Chinese.” This metric identifies the country’s key tea growing regions:

Choose the best tea supplier by discovering 6 top tea growing regions in the world
The top ten tea producing regions in China (2019)

This is not an exhaustive list of tea growing regions,  but this gives you an idea of how large China’s tea industry is. Furthermore, larger manufacturing does not always imply that a place produces better tea. Certain tea-growing places are better recognized than others, generally as the origins of traditional tea culture. Here’s a rundown of several well-known regions: Yunnan Province, Fujian Province, Xishuangbanna; Anhui Province, Hunan Province;…

Explore special Chinese tea through article” What is Pu’er tea? 5 important benefits of Pu’er tea you should know” below:

What is Pu’er tea? 5 important benefits of Pu’er tea you should know

2. Kenya

Kenya is Africa’s most successful tea growing region, and it is currently one of the world’s major tea producers.

Choose the best tea supplier by discovering 6 top tea growing regions in the world
Kenya is Africa’s most successful tea growing region (Source: GRID-Arendal)

Kenya is divided in half by the Equator and the Great Rift Valley, which runs north-south through the nation. The volcanic soil, high heights, and tropical climate on both sides of the rift valley provide ideal growing conditions for tea. In much of Kenya, tea trees produce throughout the year, although the finest harvests are in the spring and fall. Kenya produces over 400 million kg of tea each year right after China and India’s production.

3. Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon) is the world’s third-biggest tea producer among tea growing regions, accounting for 19% of global tea production. The tea industry employs the majority of the country’s workforce. Sri Lankan tea has always been primarily driven by export, and the colonial tea brand “Ceylon” is still well recognized. Ceylon was named “ozone-friendly tea” and received the Montreal Protocol Implementer Award.

Choose the best tea supplier by discovering 6 top tea growing regions in the world
Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon) is the world’s third-biggest tea growing regions

Because of its proximity to the equator, Sri Lanka is perfect for tea cultivation, with year-round harvests and a broad range of teas with different characteristics:

(1) High-grown tea recognized as premium teas cultivated over 4,000 feet: Uva, Dimbulla, Nuwara Eliya…

(2) Mid-grown tea with a rich flavor is grown at a height of 2,000–4,000 feet: Uda Pusellawa; Kandy…

(3) At less than 2,000 feet in height – low-grown tea with a strong flavor is typically consumed with milk: Sabaragamuwa, Ruhuna, Ratnapura, Galle…

Black tea is the traditional Ceylon tea. Sri Lanka has around 500 tea plants that produce approximately 320 kg of tea each year. Sri Lanka is one of the world’s largest tea exporters, with the majority being orthodox black tea. White and green tea from Ceylon is available on the market, although they are rare.

4. India

In India, tea has a lengthy history, with historical reports stating that it’s consumed as early as 750 BC. India has joined China as one of the top tea growing regions in the world, producing everything from black tea to excellent Assams and beautiful Darjeelings. India’s tea-growing areas include:

Assam

Assam is a northeastern Indian featuring mountains, plains, and river valleys. Assam has become the world’s largest tea-producing area thanks to its gorgeous position. In February, the first harvest takes place. The second-flush crop in May–June, nevertheless, brings the highest-grade Assam teas with a full-bodied malty and spicy flavor.

Darjeeling

Darjeeling lies in northeastern India, on the southern slopes of the world’s highest mountains, the Himalayan Mountains. At heights ranging from 2,600 to over 6,500 feet, these gardens supply the highest quality tea, brewed in the traditional method. There are five harvest seasons: first flush, “in-between” harvest, second flush, monsoon harvest, and autumnal harvest.

Choose the best tea supplier by discovering 6 top tea growing regions in the world
Assam has become the world’s largest tea-producing area thanks to its gorgeous position (Source: The ABC’s of Tea)

The following are some more tea growing regions:

Northern India: Dooars; Kangra; Terai

Southern India: Anamallais; Karnataka; Munnar; Wayanad

5. Japan

In contrast to other tea growing regions, Japan grows the bulk of its tea at lower heights, on flatter ground, and near the sea. Tea is farmed on around 119,100 acres, providing over 101,500 tons of tea, almost entirely of which is green. 

Choose the best tea supplier by discovering 6 top tea growing regions in the world
In contrast to other tea growing regions, Japan grows the bulk of its tea at lower heights, on flatter ground, and near the sea (Source: Scientific Naturopathy)

There are 3 main tea regions in Japan:

Shizuoka Prefecture – Although all of Japan’s tea growing regions are in the country’s southern and warmer half, Shizuoka (the farthest northeast) produces the bulk of the country’s tea due to plentiful land and a good climate. This region produces about half of Japan’s total output. The changing weather patterns along the coast provide ideal growth conditions for high-quality tea. Here, all types of Japanese tea are produced.

Kyoto Prefecture – Kyoto Prefecture is home to the original Uji-producing location in the inland highlands when Japanese tea was first popularized. It accounts for barely 3% of overall output but concentrates on higher-grade teas.

Kagoshima Prefecture — This southernmost island has a subtropical climate. Produces a diverse selection of teas (about 20 percent of total output).

Some of the less well-known tea-growing regions: Mie, Nara, Miyazaki, Saga, Fukuoka…

6. Vietnam

Vietnam presently ranks seventh in global tea production and fifth in worldwide tea exports. Vietnam tea is presently offered in 74 nations and territories. Vietnam today has 34 provinces and cities farming tea on 123 thousand hectares of land. Vietnam’s northeast and central highlands are the most famous tea growing regions.

Phu Tho province

Phu Tho is an area in the midlands with numerous huge hills suited for tea cultivation. It has the country’s greatest tea acreage and output. Phu Tho is presently the country’s fourth-largest tea producer and fourth-largest tea producer.

More than 16,000 hectares of tea were planted in the province in 2021. The tea production is 118 quintals per hectare, with an annual output of more than 185 thousand tons. Not only does Phu Tho have raw material sites for producing black tea for exporting purposes, but also manufactures green tea that was first generated in districts such as Phuc Van Tien,  Kim Tuyen,  Phu Ninh, Thanh Ba, Doan Hung, Thanh Son, Tan Son,…

Choose the best tea supplier by discovering 6 top tea growing regions in the world
Phu Tho is an area in the midlands with numerous huge hills suited for tea cultivation (Source: Vietnamonline)

Thai Nguyen province

Thai Nguyen is Vietnam’s greatest tea source in terms of output and quality, with an area of 20,000 hectares cultivated and exploited. Tea plants are well grown in the mountainous terrain. Vo Nhai, La Bang, and Tan Cuong are the most well-known tea growing regions, producing high-quality tea with its fragrant smell, bitter taste, and sweet aftertaste.

The bulk of tea growing region in Thailand’s Nguyen area follows safe, organic tea production procedures, agricultural production practices (GAP), national and international safety standards (such as: VietGAP, ORGANIC, UTZ Certified, GlobalGAP, etc.).

Choose the best tea supplier by discovering 6 top tea growing regions in the world
Thai Nguyen is Vietnam’s greatest tea source in terms of output and quality, with an area of 20,000 hectares cultivated and exploited. Source: Culture Trip

Other popular tea growing regions in Vietnam can be named Tay Bac, Lam Dong. Discover these areas through “Vietnamese tea areas: Introduction of 4 largest tea growing regions“.

Find more helpful information about Vietnamese tea through the below article:

Tea from Vietnam: 9 Interesting facts that may surprise you!

Conclusion

The preceding article has shown you notable tea growing regions across the world. Hope that it proves useful in your search for a large and reliable tea supply. If you want to learn more about Vietnamese tea, you can refer to the topic below “Vietnamese tea leaves – Characteristics, price, and top-tier supplier. To get more interesting information about the best morning tea for energy, connect our tea experts via info@vietnam-tea.com to be consulted. 

About Future Generation Company Co., Ltd

We are FGC, the leading tea exporter in Vietnam and one of the biggest tea suppliers in the world. Our tea products are diverse in types, grades, and production methods. We provide customers with Loose tea (such as Black tea, Green tea, and Oolong tea), Herbal tea ( such as Rose tea, Chamomile tea, and Lotus tea), Specialty tea (such as Matcha), RTD Tea, and Teabags. Our mission is to become Vietnam’s leading healthy beverage company.

We ensure stable tea sources for domestic markets and exports with vast high-grown tea farms and available herb gardens. Our tea gardens and factories also meet many international standards such as VietGAP, ISO, HACCP, etc. In addition, we constantly innovate our machinery system, strengthen production capacity, and increase productivity. We also provide private label and customized packaging services ideal for small and medium enterprises. 

If you are tea distributors, tea importers, teashop managers, or even tea lovers, we are committed to being your prestigious tea source supplier in Vietnam!

Contact:

Address: R4 building, Office Quarter 02, Royal City, 72A Nguyen Trai St., Thanh Xuan Dist., Hanoi.

Phone: +84 24 73 000 125/ +84 24 6664 7788

Mail: info@vietnam-tea.com

Website: https://vietnam-tea.com/ 

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