Alright, so what’s the one drink that almost everyone in the world is sipping on, regardless of whether you’re chilling in a café in New York or a street market in Mumbai? Spoiler alert: it’s not coffee, soda, or even water (though that’s a close second). Drumroll, please… It’s tea!

Yup, you heard that right. Tea is the most consumed manufactured drink globally, and we’re not just talking about the fancy herbal stuff your yoga instructor drinks. From black tea to green tea, oolong to matcha, this ancient beverage is absolutely everywhere.

A Sip of History

Tea has been around for more than 4,000 years, starting way back in China around 2737 B.C. Legend has it that Emperor Shen Nong was chillin’ under a tree when some tea leaves accidentally blew into his pot of boiling water. The rest, as they say, is history.

Since then, tea has traveled the world—finding its way into just about every culture. Fast forward to now, and this drink is consumed at an insane rate. According to the Tea Association of the USA, over 159 million Americans drink tea on any given day. Globally, tea’s consumption only continues to skyrocket. In 2020, tea consumption hit a whopping 6.3 million tons worldwide. And no, that’s not a typo.

Why Tea Reigns Supreme

Now, you might be wondering: why tea? What makes it so popular? Well, for starters, it’s super versatile. You can have it hot, iced, sweetened, spiced, or even mixed into your bubble tea with boba. It’s one of those drinks that can fit every vibe. Feeling cozy and need a pick-me-up? Sip on a warm cup of chai. Trying to cool down on a summer day? Reach for some iced green tea.

Not to mention, tea comes with a whole bunch of health benefits. Gen Z is all about wellness, and tea delivers in spades. It’s packed with antioxidants, helps with digestion, boosts your immune system, and might even lower your risk of heart disease. Basically, it’s a drink that does it all.

Tea vs. Coffee: The Ultimate Showdown

Okay, so if tea is the most consumed drink, where does that leave coffee? We know the coffee lovers are probably gasping at this point. To be fair, coffee is no small player in the beverage world. It’s estimated that 2.25 billion cups of coffee are consumed every single day. That’s a mind-blowing number. But here’s the kicker: while coffee has a massive fan base, tea’s reach is just wider.

Tea is especially dominant in countries like China, India, and the UK, where it’s practically a way of life. The UK alone drinks about 100 million cups of tea every day. And in China? Forget about it. Tea is ingrained in the culture to the point where 3 million tons of it are consumed each year. Even if you’re all about your pumpkin spice latte, it’s hard to argue with stats like that.

Gen Z & The Tea Craze

We have to talk about how Gen Z is all about tea. Tea has been making a comeback in some seriously cool ways. Think about it: bubble tea, matcha lattes, and cold brew teas are all over your Instagram feed. According to a report by Mintel, Gen Z is driving the growth of specialty teas like matcha and herbal teas. These tea variations are trendy, aesthetically pleasing, and perfect for posting on the ‘gram.

Plus, tea’s versatility means it can easily fit into a healthy lifestyle—another big win for Gen Z, who is all about balancing mental and physical health. It’s like, why chug a sugary soda when you can sip on antioxidant-rich green tea and call it self-care?

And let’s not forget about bubble tea (aka boba). This Taiwanese tea concoction has taken the world by storm, with bubble tea shops popping up in major cities like LA, New York, and London. For some Gen Zers, tea isn’t just a drink—it’s a full-on lifestyle.

The Numbers Don’t Lie: Tea Stats

Still not convinced that tea is the reigning champ? Let’s drop some more stats:

• Tea consumption globally is expected to reach 7.4 million tons by 2025.
• China is the largest tea producer in the world, pumping out about 2.4 million metric tons in 2021 alone.
• Turkey takes the crown for the most tea consumed per capita. Turkish people drink an average of 3.16 kg of tea each year (that’s roughly 1,000 cups per person)!
• In the US, 85% of tea consumed is iced tea—proving that whether hot or cold, tea just gets it done.

What Kind of Tea Are We Talking About?

Not all tea is created equal, and there are so many different types that make up the global consumption numbers. Here’s a quick breakdown of the top faves:

• Black Tea: The most popular type of tea worldwide, making up about 84% of all tea consumed. You’ll find it in your standard English Breakfast tea, and it’s the main ingredient in chai.
• Green Tea: The OG healthy tea. It’s particularly popular in East Asia and is packed with antioxidants. Matcha, that green powdered tea you see all over TikTok, is also a type of green tea.
• Herbal Tea: This isn’t technically “tea” since it doesn’t come from the Camellia sinensis plant, but it’s still worth a mention. Think chamomile, peppermint, and rooibos.
• Oolong Tea: Popular in China and Taiwan, oolong sits somewhere between green and black tea in terms of oxidation.

Famous Tea Moments

Tea has even had some iconic moments in history:

• The Boston Tea Party: This 1773 event literally kick-started the American Revolution. Colonists, angry about British taxes, dumped 342 chests of tea into the Boston Harbor.
• The British Royal Family: Let’s be real, you can’t talk about tea without mentioning the royals. Queen Elizabeth II was known to have afternoon tea every day. That’s some serious commitment to the tea game.

Conclusion: Pour Yourself a Cup

So, there you have it—tea is the most consumed manufactured drink in the world, and it’s not even close. Whether you’re an iced tea fanatic or can’t go a day without your morning chai, there’s no denying that tea has become a global phenomenon. From ancient traditions to modern-day trends like bubble tea, this drink isn’t going anywhere. So next time you’re sipping on a matcha latte, just remember—you’re part of a worldwide tea-loving squad!

TL;DR:

• Tea is the most consumed manufactured drink in the world, outpacing coffee and soda.
• It’s been around for over 4,000 years and is consumed across the globe, with the biggest drinkers in China, India, and the UK.
• Gen Z is bringing tea back into the spotlight with trendy variations like bubble tea and matcha.
• Whether you like it hot, cold, or boba-fied, tea is a drink that’s here to stay.