Tea From Around the World
Tea From Around the World
Tea production is one of the oldest traditions in modern society, as tea is the most-consumed beverage on the planet. Tea is grown and processed into just a few main types of tea: black, oolong, green, white, flavored, red, and even yellow. So why, then, would a green tea cultivated in China taste completely different than one cultivated in Japan?
The answer lies in the terroir of the tea, or how the unique soil composition, climate, and other environmental and growth factors influence the final flavor. Our tea master has scouted the globe and established relationships with family-owned tea estates in tea growing regions that each boast unique tea flavor profiles our customers love. Take a quick trip around the world to discover the tea growing regions of The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf®:
Sri Lanka
Its namesake Ceylon tea is grown at varying climates for a large swath of flavor profiles, but Ceylon tea is generally considered a bold, brisk, and full-bodied tea. Experience the mellow taste of Bogawantalawa Estate Ceylon black tea mixed with the delicate, aromatic of apricots in our Apricot Ceylon Tea.
That’s not all that Sri Lanka is known for — indulge in a grassy green tea blended with the sweet flavor of orchard-fresh peaches when you try Orchard Peach Iced Tea.
China
The birthplace of tea production, China produces more tea varieties than any other country. Lung Ching Dragonwell Tea, also called “tea of the emperors,” is a jade green tea only grown in the West Lake district in Hangzhou and meticulously prepared by hand.
Our fragrant and citrusy Earl Grey Tea may be named after a British prime minister, but the black tea leaves we use are grown exclusively in a mountainous region of China. From Moroccan Mint Tea to Jasmine Dragon Phoenix Pearl Tea the wide-ranging topography and climates of China bring out singular and unreplicable teas.
Japan
No matter what region, nearly all tea grown in Japan is rich green tea. Considered a Japanese specialty, Genmaicha Green Tea consists of a blend of high-quality Sencha Tea and partially roasted rice for added body and sweetness. Tea is grown throughout Japan excluding some inhospitable regions in the north, with the most popular Japanese tea-growing regions being Shizuoka, Uji, and Kagoshima.
South Africa
Regions of Africa benefit from lush, wet climates to grow complex black and red teas, along with plants ideal for herbal infusion. Our red Chai Rooibos Herbal Infusion is harvested on a family-owned farm where rooibos bushes grow wild in the countryside. We infuse the leaves with notes of cinnamon, ginger, and citrus. Some of our favorite herbal leaves are grown in South Africa, including the hand-harvested honeybush that serves as the base of our African Sunrise Herbal Infusion.
Thailand
Thailand produces some of the most sought-after and expensive green and oolong teas on the world market. Most Thailand teas are not widely available in the United States, but fans of The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® enjoy the light Earthy flavor of our Strawberry Cream Tea grown in the Mae Salong area in the Northern Mountains of Thailand. Lemongrass is a Thai staple and serves as the base of our Lemon Chamomile Herbal Infusion that is purported to be a natural aid for relaxation, sleep, and digestion.
India
The tea-growing region of Darjeeling is renowned for, you guessed it, Darjeeling tea. The Darjeeling region is situated more than 6,000 feet above sea level with breathtaking views of the Himalayan mountains. The sloping terrain gives Darjeeling teas like our Estate Darjeeling Tea their unique and fragrant flavor. Any conversation about Indian tea would be incomplete without mentioning Chai, a blend of black tea, cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves that is enjoyed throughout the country.
Sample tea from around the world without even changing out of your pajamas — your new favorite tea is just a click away at The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf.
