Tea Consumption by Country 2025

Tea is the most widely consumed beverage globally. According to the 2022 report on the per capita tea consumption, Sri Lanka leads the countries drinking the most tea in the world, followed by Argentina and Turkey, while Paraguay and Vietnam occupy the fourth and fifth positions, respectively.

Highlighted Countries

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka, long known for producing some of the world’s finest tea, now tops the global chart for per capita tea consumption—with the average person drinking a staggering 48 kilograms of tea in 2022. That’s not a typo—tea is truly a way of life here. Whether you’re visiting a friend, stepping into a shop, or just taking a midday break, you’ll almost always be offered a hot cup of tea. It’s how people connect, unwind, and welcome each other.

Most Sri Lankans prefer a bold black brew—strong, sweet, and often served with a splash of condensed milk. Even in the heat, tea is seen as refreshing and grounding, a daily companion from early morning to night. And it’s not just tradition—it’s comfort. A shared cup of tea here carries warmth, hospitality, and a sense of home, no matter where you are on the island.

Argentina

Argentina may surprise some tea enthusiasts, but in 2022 it ranked #2 in the world for per capita tea consumption, with an impressive 27.2 kilograms consumed per person—no small feat in a country better known for its steak and soccer. The secret? Yerba mate. This beloved herbal tea isn’t just a drink—it’s a cornerstone of Argentine daily life and culture.

Whether shared among friends in a city plaza or sipped solo at sunrise, mate is a ritual of connection and comfort. Served in a hollowed gourd and sipped through a metal straw (bombilla), it’s passed around in groups as a symbol of hospitality and trust. Bitter, earthy, and gently stimulating, mate fuels everything from quiet mornings to late-night conversations.

And yes, many Argentines carry their mate kits with them wherever they go. In a world of fast-paced habits, mate drinking offers something rare—a shared pause in the day, steeped in tradition and community.

Turkey

Turkey is the third largest consumer of tea. According to sources, each Turk consumes approximately 6,000 cups (14.7kg) of tea annually. That is an impressive amount, with the number of daily cups rising during the freezing winter.

In other words, this beverage forms an integral part of Turkish culture. You can find people taking it in their homes, cafes, Kiraathane (men’s social gatherings) and other social groups, including funerals and weddings. The Turks also offer tea as a welcome drink to visitors.

The most common tea type in the country is black tea (cay). However, other tea varieties like rosehip tea (kuşburnu çayı), Linden Flower Tea (ıhlamur çayı), etc. are also gaining traction.

Paraguay

Paraguay quietly claimed the #4 spot in global tea consumption per capita in 2022, with each person consuming about 14.2 kilograms of tea that year—just shy of Turkey’s total. But the tea story here has a unique twist: in Paraguay, tea is often served ice-cold.

The most popular form is tereré, a chilled version of yerba mate traditionally sipped from a guampa (horn-shaped cup) using a metal straw. Especially during Paraguay’s hot, humid summers, tereré isn’t just refreshing—it’s essential. It’s common to see people carrying a thermos of ice water and their tereré kit wherever they go, ready to pause, pour, and share.

Much like mate in Argentina, tereré is a deeply social tradition, passed between friends, family members, and even coworkers. It’s not just about staying cool—it’s about staying connected. In Paraguay, every shared round of tereré is a small act of community, grounding modern life in something timeless and human.

Vietnam

Vietnam brewed its way into the #5 spot globally for tea consumption per capita in 2022, with each person drinking about 10.2 kilograms of tea that year. But here, tea isn’t just a drink—it’s a quiet thread woven through everyday life.

From small street-side stalls to elegant family gatherings, tea is offered freely and often, usually green, light, and unsweetened. It accompanies conversation, meals, business meetings, and even moments of solitude. In Vietnamese culture, tea is less about ceremony and more about gentle presence—a way to show respect, hospitality, or simply to pause.

While green tea dominates, especially in the north, herbal teas made from lotus, artichoke, or jasmine are also beloved, each with its own health benefits and regional charm. Whether sipped hot on a misty morning or poured cold over ice in the midday heat, tea in Vietnam is a daily comfort, a cultural gesture, and a reminder to slow down just a little.