15 Best Tea From Around the World: Teas From Asia, Europe, Africa, and America You Need To Try

Steeped in history, culture, and tradition, tea has captured the hearts of people around the world for centuries. From the lush tea plantations in Asia to the charming teahouses of Europe and the vibrant blends in Africa, there’s no doubt that teas around the world are a delicious blend of flavors, aromas, and experiences waiting to be explored.

If you’re looking for the best tea drinks around the world, you’re in the right place! As a self-professed tea connoisseur, I wanted to take some of my favorite tea drinks from my travels and share them. From milky boba tea to refreshing Moroccan mint tea, a cup of cozy masala chai, and the wonderful aroma of hibiscus tea, you’ll find some of the most popular teas in the world here :)

Since you’re looking to try tea from different countries, may I also suggest one of my other popular posts — The 30+ Best Candies Around the World — to complement your tea-drinking experience?

Get ready to sip, savor, and explore the best teas from around the world!

Turkish Tea (Turkey)

Known locally as çay, Turkish tea is a beloved icon in Turkish culture and one of the most cherished beverages in the country (the others being coffee and raki). This aromatic tea has deep historical roots and is an integral part of Turkish hospitality and daily life — in fact, it’s very common to be invited inside a shopkeeper’s store to enjoy a cup of tea if you travel in Turkey!

Turkish tea has quite the history: it only became popular after World War I, and before that, the majority of tea used to come from China. The first Turkish tea plantation was in Bursa <link to city guide>, but it wasn’t very successful due to the soil. Nowadays, the majority of Turkish tea is produced along the Black Sea, in the Rize and Trabzon provinces.

Fun fact: The Turkish are the largest consumer of tea in the world! Each person consumes about 3.16 kg (7 lb) of tea per year, beating out competition like Ireland (2.19 kg), the United Kingdom (1.94 kg), and Japan (1 kg).

The most popular Turkish tea brands are Caykur, Dogus, and Tirebolu.

Caykur Special Turkish Tea | Caykur Tea Loose Leaf Altinbas | Dogus Exclusive Turkish Black Tea | Caykur Tirebolu 42

Once you’ve bought your tea, it’s time to brew and enjoy it! The Turkish have a special type of teapot (called a çaydanlık) that works like this: water brews in the large bottom container, and the tea essence is brewed in the smaller top part.

The Turkish even have a special tulip-shaped cup to drink their tea. The most iconic brand is Paşabahçe with their classic cup, although you can find dozens of beautiful designs in Turkish stores and online.

Korkmaz Orbit Teapot | Saki Electric Turkish Tea Maker | Pasabahce Turkish Tea Set | Karaca Blue Tea Set for 6

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Matcha (Japan)

If you ask someone what comes to mind when they hear the words Japanese tea, there’s a good chance that they’ll say matcha!

The history of matcha goes back nearly a thousand years, and was initially used as a sort of ‘meditation tea’ for Buddhist monks. Thanks to its caffeine content, matcha produces a sense of calm feeling with a hint of mental alertness — which really helped monks when they needed to meditate for hours on end.

That’s not all — matcha is also one of the healthiest teas in the world! In fact, it contains up to 10 times more antioxidants than normal green tea, and is purported to improve one’s mood, reduce stress, and help with memory and brain power.

Unlike most other teas on this list, matcha is also really versatile and can be used in cooking (my favorite is to make matcha cookies ) , added to smoothies, sprinkled on oatmeal or ice cream, and much more.

Ippodo Tea Sayaka | Organic Premium Ceremonial Japanese Matcha Green Tea | Zen no Ocha Japanese Matcha Powder | Naoki Matcha Superior Ceremonial Blend

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Mint Tea (Morocco)

If you’ve traveled to Morocco, there’s a pretty good chance you’ve been invited to try this deliciously refreshing tea at least once. During our trip to Morocco, one of our tour guides even joked that mint tea is locally nicknamed ‘Berber whiskey’ and is the national drink of Morocco.

Moroccan mint tea is made with a special type of green tea called gunpowder tea (so called because the leaves resemble gunpowder pellets), sprigs of fresh mint, and sugar. The mint tea is typically served in colorful ornate cups called keesan along with cubes of sugar.

4011 Moroccan Green Tea | Numi Organic Moroccan Mint Tea | Hand-made Moroccan Glasses

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Rooibos Tea (South Africa)

Rooibos tea, which translates to ‘Red Bush’ in Afrikaans, embodies the essence of South Africa’s warmth. Derived from leaves native to the Western Cape province, rooibos tea has a delicious earthy rich flavor and is naturally caffeine-free!

Rooibos tea was initially discovered by the Khoisan people, who valued its natural sweetness and health benefits. While it has long been a local favorite, Rooibos tea gained international popularity recently thanks to its unique flavor profile, health advantages, and its versatility (you can make it hot or cold, with or without milk, sugar / no sugar, and so on :)). It’s a versatile brew that suits different tastes and preferences.

Freshpak Rooibos Tea 80 Bags | BOS Organic Rooibos Tea | Premium Organic Rooibos Tea 100 Bags

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Boba Tea & Milk Tea (Asia)

It’s no secret why boba tea is one of the most popular tea drinks around the world — it’s delicious, comes in hundreds of varieties, and (the best part!) it has chewy tapioca balls. 😋 Boba tea is also one of my absolute favorite drinks!

The drink’s origins are debated, although one popular story goes back to Taiwan in the 1980s. The owner of Chun Shui Tang tea house went on a business trip to Japan in the 1980s and saw how they made their iced coffee. After coming back to Taiwan, he instructed his workers to shake the cold tea before serving it, thus creating bubble tea. A few years later, the tea house’s Product Manager was drinking her regular cup of tea and decided to add a few tapioca balls on a whim, thus making the world’s first boba tea.

(Psst — if you’re traveling to Taiwan, I highly recommend visiting Taichung and taking a master class on making boba tea! You can read more in my 5 Unique Things You Have to do in Taiwan post here)

If you want to make boba tea at home, you can either buy a boba milk tea kit (see first two products), or buy milk tea and make the boba bubbles separately (last two products):

Instant Boba Bubble Pearl Milk Tea Kit | Premium Boba Tea Kit (24+ Drinks) | Japanese Royal Milk Tea | Bubble Tea Boba Pearls 2.2 lb

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Masala Chai (India)

I know, I know — there are hundreds of Indian teas, so you can imagine how hard it was to pick just one. In fact, India produces nearly 20% of the world’s tea!

Since we’re looking for some of the most unique teas in the world, I thought masala chai would be a perfect fit — or as I like to say, masala tea is the epitome of coziness in a cup. :)

Masala chai is made by brewing black tea and spices, then adding sugar and milk. Masala chai was originally created for Ayurvedic health benefits, which is why various spices are used— including cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, a pinch of pepper, fennel seeds, nutmeg, and star anise.

Wagh Bakri Masala Chai | Blue Lotus Chai 3 oz. | Masala Chai No. 33 – Chai, Assam & Aromatic Spices

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Ceylon Tea (Sri Lanka)

While we’re traveling around the Indian subcontinent, why not take a trip across the Palk Strait and enjoy a tea break in Sri Lanka?

Sri Lanka is the fourth-largest producer of tea in the world, with its most popular product being Ceylon tea (Ceylon was the former name of Sri Lanka). While traveling around Sri Lanka, I had the opportunity to visit a few tea plantations and try the local tea many times — and I highly recommend it!

If you’re planning to travel to Sri Lanka as well, don’t miss the Kandy to Ella train (and check out my Sri Lanka travel tips! ). Besides getting a glimpse of local public transport, the train passes through kilometers of lush tea plantations and is one of the most beautiful train trips in the world!

One of the most popular brands of Sri Lankan tea is Basilur — besides the excellent taste, their packaging is gorgeous! (and I’m not ashamed to say that half of my luggage consisted of their tea )

Basilur “Magic Night” Oriental Tea | Basilur Green Tea & Jasmine | Dilmah Premium Ceylon Tea | Pantenger Ceylon Tea Loose Leaf

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Yerba Mate (South America)

Yerba mate (often referred as just mate), is a unique and earthy tea from South America, particularly Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and parts of Brazil. Its history, taste, and cultural significance make it the perfect addition to our exploration of the world’s best teas. :)

Yerba mate’s history is deeply rooted in South American culture, going back centuries to indigenous tribes like the Guarani people of Paraguay. They believed that this tea possessed powerful medicinal and rejuvenating properties, and was made by brewing tea leaves in a hollowed-out gourd.

Interestingly, after Paraguay was colonized, yerba mate became such a popular drink among the Spanish that they even sold all their possessions and fell into debt in order to buy more yerba mate. Thankfully, yerba mate is much more accessible, and you won’t need to spend your entire paycheck to buy some nowadays.

Rosamonte Special Selection Yerba Mate Tea | Unsmoked Yerba Mate Tea Bags | Yerba Mate Tea Pure Loose Leaf | Guayaki Yerba Mate

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English Breakfast Tea (United Kingdom)

Is there anything more British than, well, English breakfast tea? 😄

English breakfast tea is a classic black tea blend (usually with Assam, Ceylon, and Kenyan teas) that’s an absolutely iconic symbol of the United Kingdom. Interestingly, tea was usually a drink reserved for the afternoon, but in the late 1800s a man by the name of Robert Drysale saw an opportunity… He created a stronger blend to cut through the heaviness of a typical English breakfast and provide slow-releasing energy.

English breakfast tea is usually served with milk and sugar, although there are so many ways to customize one’s drink. :)

Twinings English Breakfast Black Tea | Harney & Sons English Breakfast, 20 Sachets | English Teas Vintage Victorian English Breakfast Tea

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Sweet Tea (United States)

American sweet tea is a quintessential beverage that has become an iconic part of Southern culture in the United States.

The drink’s origins go back to the late 1800s, and sweet tea was originally seen as a luxury reserved for the upper class due to the price of ingredients at that time. Over time, the ingredients became accessible, and sweet tea’s popularity grew.

Sweet tea is a staple of Southern cuisine and is often the drink of choice for family gatherings, picnics, and barbecues. Likewise, iced tea makes up about 85% of all tea consumed in the United States :)

There are a few ways to make sweet tea, but the basic process begins by brewing black tea and then adding sugar to create a concentrate. From there, dilute it with cold water, add ice, and garnish with a lemon wedge for the ultimate refreshing drink!

Tip: A friend from the south said that her family uses Luzianne tea, so I’ve included it below:

Luzianne Iced Tea Bags | Y’all Sweet Tea – Pack of 15 Perfect Batch Tea Bags | Lipton Southern Sweet Iced Tea

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Pu-er (China)

Similar to India, it’s hard to choose just one tea from China as there are thousands of varieties! In fact, China is the ‘birthplace’ of tea and has been cultivating it since 2,700 BC. :)

One of the more interesting tea varieties in China is pu-er tea, which is actually made by fermenting tea leaves and leaving them to oxidise (to give it their signature taste). Traditionally produced in Punnan Province, pu’er tea is reported to have many health benefits, including reducing cholesterol, providing antioxidants, and helping with digestion.

Likewise, puer tea has a unique form: they’re usually packed in flat disks (that look somewhat like pancakes) or small balls — although loose leaf varieties are also sold.

Pu-erh Tea in Bamboo Leaf Tube (80 Cups) | Aged Ripe Puerh Tea Cake 100g | Puerh Tea Original (150 Cups)

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Hibiscus Tea (West Africa & Caribbean)

More than just a pretty flower, the hibiscus plant also makes for a delicious drink! Hibiscus tea is made from the leaves of the Roselle plant (a type of hibiscus) and is a very popular drink across western Africa and countries in the Caribbean. It goes by many names, including Bissap, Zobo/Tsobo, Agua de Jamaica (in Mexico), and Sorrel.

In fact, Senegal’s national drink is Bissap, and is a drink for all occasions, including by not limited to family gatherings, Ramadan festivities, events and holidays, and much more.

Hibiscus tea is easy to make and only contains a few ingredients: just clean and boil the hibiscus leaves in boiling water, let it steep for a few minutes, add sugar, and voila! For a hint of taste, you can also add orange blossom water.

1 lb. Dried Hibiscus Flowers | Nura’s Finest Organic Whole Petal Hibiscus Flowers

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Teh Tarik (Malaysia)

Known as Malaysia’s national drink, the delicious teh tarik is is a black tea infused with condensed milk and a pinch of salt.

However, the real magic happens in its preparation: the tea is ‘pulled’ between two containers (usually from quite a height!) to cool it off and create a delicious frothy top layer. In fact, ‘teh tarik’ literally means pulled tea — and now you know why! During my trip to Malaysia, it was fun to watch the tea vendors put on a show while ‘pulling’ the tea, and some had quite the performance!

You can buy pre-made teh tarik sachets online, or create your own —just brew black tea, pour in condensed milk, and pour the tea between two cups until it becomes frothy.

4 Pack BOH Teh Tarik Milk Tea | Aik Cheong Milk Tea Beverage 15 Sachets | Chek Hup Teh Tarik 3 In 1 Instant Milk Tea

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Cha Yen / Thai Tea (Thailand)

Thai tea, known for its vibrant orange hue and sweet creamy flavor, is one of the most popular drinks in Thailand. Thai tea is made by brewing Ceylon black tea (remember we talked about it above? 😁) and adding milk and sugar.

ChaTraMue Original Thai Iced Tea Mix | 3 in 1 Instant Thai Tea | 100% Natural Loose Leaf Tea Mix

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Carpathian Forest Tea (Ukraine)

Of course, I couldn’t leave out my favorite country (and birthplace) from this list
If you’re into natural tea, dried fruit, and herbal varieties, you’ll love Ukraine’s natural forest tea!

Most teas come from the Carpathian region of Ukraine, which is characterized by its beautiful pristine nature, wild fruits and berries growing along the mountains, and, of course, the highest peak in Ukraine (Mt. Holverla).