Tea regions around the world

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Since some time ago we had an entry about cities where the most delicious brews are made, worthwhile destinations for coffee-lovers and simple, beauty-seeking tourists alike. This time, I though that it would be interesting to do a similar article on another immensely popular drink: tea. Hot or cold, black, green, red or white, tea comes in virtually thousands of tastes and colours.

Regular folks like their brew laced with sugar, lemon, milk or other seasonings and aromas, but for a true tea purists, where the tea comes for counts the most. Incidentally, tea is and has always been grown in some of the most amazing places in the world. So leave your tea-bags in the cupboard, brew up some loose-leaf orange pekoe and read about where your delicious cuppa comes from…

Yunnan, China

China is the cradle of tea culture, and according to legends, the firs cup of green tea was brewed by mistake by emperor Shen Nung, in whose cup of hot water happened to fall a tea leaf. No one knows how accurate this story is, but fact is that the Chinese have been growing and brewing tea for millenia.

Tea is grown all over the country, and one of the most famous tea-producing provinces is Yunnan, the southernmost province of China. Your regular black tea blend most likely contains some Yunnan Black, grown in the lush mountainous areas of the province. Thanks to its mild climate and beautiful landscapes, Yunnan is one of the most popular tourist magnets in China.

Sri Lanka

Or Ceylon, as it was called until 1972, is an island country just south of the Indian peninsula. Sri Lanka is an amazingly beautiful place which unfortunately has been rather down its luck lately. Although the country has more or less recovered after the devastation caused by the 2004 tsunami, the political tension still stops many people from visiting it.

But if you do visit Sri Lanka, the locals, who take great pride in their culture and cuisine, will welcome you with open arms. Ceylon tea, one of the economy’s pillars, is grown mainly in the Central Province.

Fukuoka, Japan

It’s no secret that the Japanese like their tea just as much as the Chinese do, but although they share the same penchant for green tea, Japanese green tea is prepared differently, and tastes differently. The best sencha (japanese green tea) is grown in Fukuoka prefecture.

In addition to having natural wonder such as the largest caldera in the world, Fukuoka is knows to have some great onsens (hot springs) traditional Japanese inns. For some lively nightlife, you can head to Fukuoka City, the best entertainment hub in Kyushu, and also the home of some interesting tourist attractions.

Western Cape, South Africa

Western Cape is the home of rooibos tea, or red tea, which actually is no tea at all, but an altogether different plant. Roobois is delicious and has lots of health benefits, and what better place to drink it than the amazing Western Cape? This is the most beautiful place in South Africa, with its flat-topped Table Mountain and colourful scenery.

Assam India

Assam tea is known for its full bodied, malty flavour, just as enticing as the place it comes from. Assam has a huge touristic potential, with its ancient cities, monasteries, national parks and villages bursting with life. Dispur, the planned capital, pales in comparison to Guwahati, the largest city in the province, and certainly an old one too.

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