Top Tea Producing Country in Asia

China stands as Asia’s top tea producer and dominates global production. India ranks second and has become the world’s most prominent black tea producer, accounting for 31% of worldwide tea output. The Asian tea market showcases distinctive varieties from China, India, Sri Lanka, and Japan that have influenced tea traditions through the centuries.

Nepal has emerged as a notable producer, multiplying 100-fold in the last two decades. The Asian tea industry provides jobs to approximately 1.5 million South Asian workers, with women making up most of the workforce. The Asia Tea Alliance (ATA) represents six major nations: India, China, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. Let’s explore these Asian tea giants’ unique characteristics, cultural significance, and economic influence on the global stage.

Top Tea-Producing Countries in Asia

Asian countries lead the world’s tea production. The region’s perfect mix of climate, altitude, and traditional growing methods creates ideal conditions to produce exceptional teas in countries of all sizes.

China

Tea originated in China, the world’s biggest producer, with 3.25 million metric tons in 2023. This Asian powerhouse makes up almost 50% of global tea production, and its output grows by 5.9% yearly. Yunnan, Guangdong, and Zhejiang provinces are China’s tea heartland, where perfect growing conditions yield exceptional teas. Chinese teas come in many varieties, from smoky Lapsang Souchong to strong Keemun and delicate Green Gunpowder. The country’s tea exports reached 367,500 metric tons in 2023, bringing in $1.74 billion.

India

India ranks second worldwide and produced 1.37 million metric tons of tea in 2022-23, about 20.5% of global production. The country’s main growing areas are the Assam Valley, Cachar, and West Bengal’s Dooars, Terai, and Darjeeling regions. Indian teas are known for their variety, with Assam, Darjeeling, and Nilgiri each bringing unique flavors. The country produces more tea and drinks than any other nation. Tea exports brought India $706.3 million in 2023.

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka, once called Ceylon, typically produces 300 million kilograms of tea yearly, though production fell to 231.8 million kilograms in 2022. Tea grows best in the country’s central highlands, where workers pick leaves by hand to ensure top quality. The country stands fourth among world tea producers. Its exports grew 4.5% to reach $1.3 billion in 2023.

Vietnam

Vietnam holds fifth place globally and produced 214,300 tons of tea in 2022. Fresh tea production hit 1.13 million metric tons in 2023 from over 122,400 hectares. While known for coffee, Vietnam’s tea industry thrives with black and green tea production. The country produces unique varieties like lotus and jasmine tea. Tea exports dropped to $84.8 million in 2023, a 62% decrease.

Indonesia

Indonesia ranks seventh globally and produced 122,700 metric tons of tea in 2023. Tea plantations covered 101,281 hectares in 2022, with West Java having 71% of these areas. Despite good growing conditions, plantation areas shrank by 33% from 2002 to 2022. The country produces mostly black and green teas. Tea exports fell 23.3% to $69 million in 2023.

Bangladesh

Bangladesh 163 tea gardens produce 60 million kilograms yearly, with locals drinking 95%. These estates provide jobs to 300,000 workers; women comprise over 75% of this workforce. Local tea consumption grows by 4.5% each year as the economy expands. Tea exports dropped 56.7% to just $1.1 million in 2023.

Japan

Japanese tea production reaches 81,700 tons yearly. Shizuoka Prefecture makes about 40% of the country’s tea, while Kagoshima produces 20%. Japan specializes in premium green teas like Sencha, Matcha, and Gyokuro. Tea plays a vital role in Japanese culture through traditional ceremonies. The country’s tea exports grew 23.6% to $210.6 million in 2023.

Nepal

Nepal produces 26,379 metric tons of tea yearly across 20,212 hectares. Over 15,000 farmers grow tea, and about 60% of it goes overseas. Ilam, Panchthar, Dhankuta, Terathum, Sindhupalchok, and Kaski are the main areas that are growing. Nepal shipped 16,594 metric tons of tea worth Rs 3.937 billion in 2022/23. Dollar-value exports fell 21.4% to $25.5 million in 2023.

Types of Tea Produced by Each Country

Asian tea production showcases a fantastic variety of teas. Each country makes special types based on weather, customs, and tea-making methods. You’ll find everything from strong black teas to light white teas. Asian nations have become skilled at creating their signature blends.

Black Tea

Black tea leads the global market, making up about 60% of the world’s tea production. When black tea first began, China created special tea types, such as Keemun from the Anhui Province. Keemun’s taste includes fruit notes mixed with pine and dried plum hints. Yunnan’s Dianhong tea stands out for its dark, malty flavor and golden buds. India brings two famous teas to the table – Assam black tea with its rich, intense, malty taste and Darjeeling, which people love for its light, floral character, and unique muscatel notes. Sri Lanka’s Ceylon tea changes with altitude. Its high-grown varieties make a honey-colored drink that many call some of the finest tea for its exceptional taste, smell, and strength. Other countries like Indonesia, Vietnam, and Bangladesh focus mainly on making black tea to sell at home and abroad.

Green Tea

Unlike other countries, Japan puts almost all its effort into green tea. They create premium types like Matcha, Sencha, Gyokuro, and Hojicha. Japanese tea makers steam their tea leaves to keep their natural umami and sweet taste, which sets them apart from Chinese green teas. China makes an incredible range of green teas. These include the highly regarded Long Jing (Dragonwell) with its sweet pea flavor and roasted chestnut smell, Bi Luo Chun with its gentle spiral leaves, and gunpowder tea rolled into tight little balls. Vietnam has grown faster in popularity for its balanced, light green teas. Nepal also makes high-quality green tea in its eastern highlands.

Oolong Tea

Oolong sits between green and black tea, with 8-85% oxidation levels. Most oolong comes from Southern China’s cultural region, especially Fujian and Guangdong provinces, plus Taiwan. Vietnam and Thailand have started making small amounts of oolong with help from Taiwanese experts. China’s oolong includes famous types like Tieguanyin and Dahongpao. Taiwan produces well-known varieties such as Dongding, Wenshan Pouchong, and Oriental Beauty (White Tipped Oolong). Taiwan’s oolongs show many flavors because of different oxidation and roasting levels.

White Tea

White tea goes through very little processing. The leaves wither naturally before oxidation stops. Nepal creates excellent white tea from young buds and leaves of Camellia sinensis. China still makes most of the world’s white tea, though India and Sri Lanka have started making their versions over the last several years. The gentle processing keeps white tea’s subtle flavors intact and might explain why it has more antioxidants than other, more processed teas.

CTC and Orthodox Tea

CTC (Crush, Tear, Curl) and orthodox processing create significant differences in tea quality and character. Orthodox processing keeps the original leaf shape through traditional methods, including withering, rolling, oxidation, and drying. These loose-leaf teas have complex flavors and are considered higher quality. People grade them on scales like “orange pekoe” for whole-leaf types. CTC processing works differently – it makes small, uniform pellets by crushing, tearing, and curling the leaves mechanically. CTC teas brew quickly and make a strong, dark drink with a sharp taste that works great in tea bags and drinks with milk. Nepal splits its production between these methods. CTC makes up 95% of what people drink at home, while they sell most orthodox tea to other countries.

Unique Characteristics of Asian Teas

The terroir concept comes from wine culture and shapes Asian teas’ unique characteristics that can’t be replicated elsewhere. Each region’s mix of geography, climate, and traditional knowledge turns similar tea leaves into distinctly different infusions.

Flavor profiles by region

Tea regions across Asia create their signature flavors in every cup. Chinese teas show incredible variety – Keemun brings chocolatey notes, Yunnan offers earthy undertones, and Wuyi oolong delivers its toasty character. Sri Lankan Ceylon teas give bright, citrusy flavors with hints of spice. Darjeeling, known as the “Champagne of Teas,” produces delicate muscatel notes that tea lovers seek worldwide. Japanese green teas stand out with rich umami flavors – Sencha brings fresh grassiness, and Matcha delivers creamy intensity. Korean teas aren’t as well-known globally but have special qualities. Balhyocha breaks traditional categories with its unique oxidation levels and processing methods that vary between masters.

Altitude and climate influence

Height significantly affects tea quality throughout Asia’s central growing regions. Gardens high up in Darjeeling and Nepal create teas with gentle floral notes because plants grow slower at these heights. More chlorophyll in elevated plants leads to more decadent flavors with a subtle sweetness. Temperature changes directly shape chemical makeup – warm weather teas grow faster but can taste bitter. Cooler areas produce more starch in roots, which creates naturally sweeter teas. Soil type is a vital terroir element – Assam’s clay-like tropical soil creates its malty taste, while volcanic soils give other regions their mineral qualities.

Traditional processing methods

Processing techniques reflect centuries of refined knowledge passed down through generations in Asia’s tea-producing countries. China created all six basic tea categories, and the methods date back 1,700 years. Anxi County’s oolong crafting shows this heritage with precise steps: withering, shaking, resting, heating, rolling, and final roasting. Each step needs expert judgment rather than strict rules. Japan’s special steaming creates very different green teas from Chinese pan-fired ones, keeping bright colors and giving them a grassy taste. Tea-making keeps evolving across Asia. Taiwan has changed oolong production through machines while keeping quality high. Traditional hand-processing lives on in special preservation groups, showing that machines can’t fully match the artisan’s touch, which makes Asia’s best teas special.

See More: Top 10 Tea Producing Country List in Africa

Cultural Importance of Tea in Asia

Tea pervades Asian society’s fabric. It serves as the lifeblood that has shaped social interactions in tea-producing Asian countries for thousands of years.

Tea in daily life and rituals

Tea surpasses its role as a simple beverage in Asia. It expresses hospitality and respect in meaningful ways. Chinese hosts always offer tea to welcome their guests. This creates a relaxed atmosphere that encourages conversation. Chinese families use tea to show respect and gratitude. Younger family members serve tea to their elders as a sign of respect. Indian culture values chai as part of daily life. Guests receive chai as a symbol of warmth and friendship. Tea symbolizes a woman’s nurturing care and love in Asian societies. This theme appears as a powerful cultural symbol in literature, films, and songs.

Tea ceremonies and traditions

Tea ceremonies showcase Asia’s most refined cultural expressions through formal preparation and presentation. The “art of tea” started during China’s Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE). These ceremonies spread across East Asia and evolved differently in each country. Japanese tea ceremony (Chanoyu) represents harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility. It serves as a practice that fosters mindfulness and appreciation of esthetics. Korea’s Darye ceremony takes a more straightforward approach. It focuses on genuine attention to guest comfort in a relaxed setting. Chinese tea ceremonies differ by region but consistently respect traditional values and social order.

Tea as a social and economic symbol

Tea drinking showed wealth and sophistication throughout Asia before spreading to Europe. Tea houses became vital social centers. Chinese tea houses worked like cafes where people met to socialize, play games, and conduct business. Tea production then shaped economic growth in Asia’s tea-producing regions. It became a key export product that supported millions of people’s livelihoods. Today’s Asian tea market continues to grow while keeping its cultural importance. Modern innovations like Taiwan’s bubble tea show how ancient traditions stay relevant for new generations.

Emerging Tea Producers in Asia

Big players rule Asia’s tea production market, but new producers change the game through new ideas, growth, and innovative development of their tea sectors.

Nepal

Nepal’s tea industry generates about Rs8 billion yearly and ranks among the country’s biggest exports. The sector employs close to 100,000 Nepalis but faces formidable challenges. Government rules create major roadblocks because tea isn’t listed as an agricultural product, which leads to fertilizer shortages. Tea exports to India run into problems as CTC tea shipments get stuck at border checkpoints. The biggest problem for this Asian tea producer is the lack of quality testing labs. Producers must send samples to Kolkata while their trucks wait for weeks. Despite that, small farmers keep building the industry through cooperatives. Tea cultivation now covers 28,700 hectares in multiple districts.

Bangladesh

Bangladesh has become a key player in Asia’s tea production. The country broke records with 102.92 million kilograms in 2023, growing 9.69 percent from 2022. This marks the highest output in the country’s 170-year tea-growing history. The Bangladesh Tea Board credits this impressive yield to teamwork between stakeholders, a 2017 development plan, and good weather. Tea exports grew to 1.04 million kilograms from 0.78 million kilograms in 2022. Despite that, garden owners feel frustrated as big harvests have led to significant price drops, with auction prices falling under Tk 175 per kg.

India

India is growing beyond its traditional tea regions like Assam and Darjeeling. Sikkim shows excellent progress despite its small size, with less than 180 hectares of tea farms. The Bermiok Tea Estate, which started in 2003 as the state’s second producer after the 1969-founded Temi, shows this growth. They balance business goals with community growth by hiring Darjeeling experts for management and training local Sikkimese workers. Other growing regions include Kangra, where about 6,000 small farmers work with one cooperative factory.

China

China’s tea production keeps growing at 4.5-5 percent yearly. The government pushes for new tea fields in poor Central and Western Belts counties to help rural areas grow. New regions show impressive results—Hubei, China’s fifth-largest producer, grew 10.6 percent, while Anhui jumped 12.4 percent. Spring 2024 weather has helped most areas produce healthy crops. These new regions keep improving as tea plants mature and workers gain more skills.

Conclusion

Asia dominates the global tea production scene, and the numbers tell an impressive story. China leads this age-old industry by producing 3.25 million metric tons each year. India comes next with its substantial output that focuses on black tea varieties. Tea-producing nations across Asia stand out not just for quantity but also for their exceptional quality and variety.

The unique characteristics of Asian teas come from their regional terroir, different altitudes, and processing techniques passed down through centuries. Each region brings something special to the table. Japanese green teas burst with umami richness. Darjeeling teas showcase their distinctive muscatel notes. Sri Lankan Ceylon teas shine with vibrant profiles. These special qualities stem from the local environment and wisdom that tea masters have preserved for generations.

Tea means much more than just a drink in Asia. It’s the lifeblood of social connections, a symbol of welcome, and a thread that binds families through meaningful rituals. Tea ceremonies show how deeply tea connects with Asian heritage and philosophy through Japan’s detailed traditions or China’s more casual approach.

New players like Nepal and Bangladesh are changing the tea industry’s map alongside the traditional giants. Nepal has seen dramatic production increases despite challenges with regulations. Bangladesh broke harvest records in 2023. The established producers keep developing new growing areas, which pushes the industry forward.

Asian tea-producing countries have left an indelible mark on global tea culture. The continent’s varied landscapes, from Himalayan slopes to Japan’s volcanic earth, have given birth to the world’s favorite tea varieties. Modern production methods may have evolved, but Asian tea’s essence remains pure. After thousands of years, it still offers that perfect moment of peace with every steaming cup.