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Billions of people worldwide begin their days with a hot, stimulating beverage – coffee or tea. Historically, geopolitics, colonial expansion, and changing trade patterns have caused most nations to show a preference for one over the other.
Coffee prevails in Western Europe and the Americas, while tea is preferred in most of Asia and the former Soviet Union’s nations.
Coffee
Coffee is a beverage brewed from the roasted and ground seeds of the tropical evergreen coffee plants of two species of coffee plants – Coffea arabica and Coffea canephora. Both species are of African origin.
Coffea arabica is considered a milder and more aromatic coffee than Coffea canephora.
Global coffee production
Coffee production varies from year to year and is influenced by many factors, such as weather conditions, global demand, and economic factors. According to the International Coffee Organization (ICO), the total global coffee production in the 2019/2020 coffee year (October-September) was estimated at 169.34 million 60-kilogram bags, which is equivalent to approximately 10.16 million metric tons of coffee.
Who is the world’s largest coffee producer?
Brazil is the world’s largest coffee producer. This country has a long history of coffee cultivation and is renowned for its coffee production, particularly in regions such as Minas Gerais, São Paulo, and Espírito Santo. Brazil’s favorable climate and geography, with suitable conditions for coffee cultivation, along with its large coffee farms and advanced agricultural technology, contribute to its status as the world’s leading coffee producer. Other major coffee-producing countries include Vietnam, Colombia, Indonesia, Ethiopia, and Honduras, among others.
Which countries consume the most coffee?
Countries that are known to have high coffee consumption per capita include:
Finland: Finland is often ranked as the country with the highest coffee consumption per capita. Coffee is deeply ingrained in Finnish culture, and Finns are known to be avid coffee drinkers, consuming coffee throughout the day (cups per capita: 4 per day; kilograms/pound per capita: 11.8 kg/26 lbs).
Norway: Norway is another country known for its high coffee consumption per capita. Coffee is an integral part of Norwegian culture and lifestyle, and Norwegians are known to appreciate high-quality coffee (cups per capita: 3 per day; kilograms/pound per capita: 10.0 kg/22 lbs).
Denmark: Denmark is another country with a high coffee consumption per capita. Coffee is a popular beverage in Denmark, with a strong coffee culture and a tradition of “hygge,” which includes enjoying coffee in a cozy and comfortable atmosphere (cups per capita: 2 per day; kilograms/pound per capita: 9.1 kg/20 lbs).
Iceland: Iceland is also known for its high coffee consumption per capita. Despite its small population, Icelanders have a strong coffee culture and are known to consume coffee in significant quantities (cups per capita: 2 per day; kilograms/pound per capita: 9.0 kg/19.84 lbs).
Sweden: Sweden is known for its coffee consumption, with Swedes enjoying coffee in various settings, including fika, a Swedish tradition of coffee breaks with pastries (cups per capita: 1.8 per day; kilograms/pound per capita: 8.2 kg/18 lbs).
Other countries with notable coffee consumption include Switzerland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Canada, and the United States, among others.
Tea
Tea is beverage produced by steeping in boiled water the young leaves and leaf buds of the Camellia sinensis. Two main varieties are used: the small-leaved China plant (Camellia sinensis variety sinensis) and the large-leaved Assam plant (Camellia sinensis variety assamica).
Global tea production
Weather and economic factors also influence global tea production. According to data from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the total global tea production in 2019 was estimated at approximately 5.9 million metric tons.
Who is the world’s largest tea producer?
China is the world’s largest tea producer. The country has a long history of tea cultivation and is renowned for its tea production, with various regions in China known for their unique tea types and flavors. China’s favorable climate and geography, along with its rich tea culture and traditions, contribute to its status as the world’s leading tea producer.
Other major tea-producing countries include India, Kenya, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia, among others. India is the second-largest tea producer in the world, with a significant tea industry that spans various regions of the country. Kenya is also a major tea producer, particularly known for its black tea production. Sri Lanka, famous for its Ceylon tea, and Indonesia, known for its unique tea varieties, are also significant contributors to global tea production.
Which countries consume more tea?
Countries that have high tea consumption per capita include:
Turkey: Turkey is often ranked as the country with the highest tea consumption per capita. Tea, particularly black tea, is an important part of Turkish culture and is consumed throughout the day, often brewed strongly and served in small glasses (3.16 kg /6.96 lb).
Ireland: Ireland is another country known for its high tea consumption per capita. Tea is a popular beverage in Ireland, with a strong tea-drinking culture and a tradition of “tea time” or “cuppa” as a social ritual (2.19 kg / 4.83 lb).
The United Kingdom: The United Kingdom, particularly England, Scotland, and Wales, has a strong tea-drinking culture. Tea is a widely consumed beverage in the UK, often enjoyed with milk and sugar, and has a significant place in British traditions and social customs (1.94 kg / 4.28 lb).
Morocco: Morocco is known for its tea-drinking culture, particularly its traditional mint tea. Tea is an integral part of Moroccan hospitality and is often served in elaborate tea ceremonies (1.22 kg / 2.68 lb).
Japan: Japan has a strong tea-drinking culture, with green tea being a popular beverage in Japanese society. Matcha, a powdered green tea, is particularly popular in Japan and is used in various tea ceremonies and rituals (0.97 kg / 2.13 lb).
Other countries with notable tea consumption include China, India, Egypt, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates, among others.
