China is the birthplace of tea

Prior to WWII, nearly half the world's tea output originated in China, but now it accounts for less than ten percent, and has fallen into second place behind India. The most famous Chinese teas are Keemun, (black), Oolong and Green (Gunpowder and Matcha are two examples).

India

India is the world's largest tea producer, accounting for about a third of the world's total. famous growing regions include Darjeeling, Assam and Nilgiri, and they produce nearly all black tea.

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka, called Ceylon in its old colonial days, is the third largest producer of tea in the world. Ceylon has only been growing tea for little over one hundred years. The three famous growing regions are Dimbula, Uva and Nuwara Eliya. Most of the Ceylon tea gardens are situated at high elevations between 3,000 and 8,000 feet, where the hot and steamy weather makes the tea bushes flush every seven to eight days. The teas are generally classified by altitude; higher-grown generally regarded as superior.

Japan

Japan is a producer of almost exclusively green tea. Only about 2 percent of Japan's crop is available for export. The most famous teas are Sencha, Genmai Cha and Gyokuro. Tea plays a very import role in this country's art, philosophy, history and daily life, as demonstrated in its spiritual dedication to the Japanese Tea Ceremony.

Taiwan

Taiwan is an island off China. Tea from Taiwan is often referred to as from "Formosa". The bulk of the tea produced here is Ooolong, a cross between black and green, and the almost-green pouchong tea.

Other Tea Growing Nations

Africa

Burundi
Cameroon
Kenya
Malawi
Mauritius
Mozambique
Reunion
Rwanda
Seychelles
South Africa
Tanzania
Uganda
Zaire
Zimbabwe

The Americas

Argentina
Bolivia
Brazil
Ecuador
Peru
USA

Asia

Azerbaijan
Bangladesh
China
Georgia
India
Indonesia
Iran
Japan
Malaysia
Papua New Guinea
Sri Lanka
Taiwan
Turkey
Vietnam

Australia

Europe

Portugal