The global tea industry includes over 50 tea-producing countries, with a strong concentration within the latitudinal band between 30 degrees north and south.

Tea cultivation is a meticulous process, requiring specific environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity, light, soil quality, altitude, and wind speed.

While the tea plant, an evergreen shrub common in subtropical regions, is adaptable, it thrives best under certain conditions. Tea plants prefer warm, humid environments, with an ideal average annual temperature between 10 and 30 degrees Celsius. The optimal range for tea growth is 20 to 25 degrees Celsius. For humidity, tea plants thrive in areas with precipitation levels of 1500 to 2500 mm.

Light conditions are also crucial. While tea can grow in varying sunlight intensities, daylight is essential. Regions with ample sunlight favor black tea cultivation, whereas shaded areas support green tea production, as green tea thrives in weaker light conditions. Soil quality is equally important; tea plants require deep, well-drained, acidic soil for healthy growth. The ideal altitude for tea cultivation ranges from 10 to 2000 meters, with a preference for gentle breezes over high winds.

India plays a prominent role in global tea production, with regions like Assam and Darjeeling known for producing high-quality black tea. Assam, located in northeastern India, includes areas such as Arunachal Pradesh and is renowned for its distinctive Assam tea.

This black tea variety offers a robust, mellow flavor with subtle East African notes, making it a key component in traditional English black tea blends. In the eastern Indian state of Sangsigala, the region of Dargota is celebrated for producing Dargota black tea, known for its unique aroma and smooth, mellow taste, establishing it as a notable Indian red-black tea.

Sri Lanka also holds a significant place in global black tea production, with Nuelleria and Uda Center as two major tea-producing regions. Nuelleria, located in the central Sri Lankan mountains, is famed for its high-quality Santin black tea, distinguished by its rich, aromatic red scent and distinctive blend of four flavors. This variety has gained popularity among both local and international tea enthusiasts. Uda Center, another prominent Sri Lankan black tea region, produces tea known for its strong aroma and smooth, mellow taste.

The global love for tea spans over 160 countries and regions, each with distinct tea-drinking traditions. Leading in overall tea consumption are India, the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, Indonesia, and Egypt. However, when looking at per capita consumption, the top consumers include Ireland, the United Kingdom, Morocco, New Zealand, Egypt, Poland, Japan, and Saudi Arabia.

Beyond cultural influences and tea origins, tea-producing countries show a strong continental-oceanic link. The global tea map indicates that tea primarily comes from eastern, southeastern, and southern Asia, particularly in subtropical and tropical monsoon climates.