 Because of the importance of pure water for good health, the act of boiling water is an essential task in many parts of the world. History tells us that Emperor Shen Nung was one
of the first people to discover the importance of boiled water, as well as having discovered tea.
Today, the consumption of tea is just as important as the consumption of drinking water. On average about 2½ million metric tons of tea are produced worldwide. Some of this tea is retained by producing countries for internal consumption, while the rest is traded either directly to value-added resellers in other countries or
bought through auction on the open market. India and China are the largest consumers of tea on the basis of total leaf used, and this consumption is largely from internal production. These countries are the largest producers of tea, as well.
- The UK is the largest per-capita consumer of tea averaging about 3.5 to 4.0 cups per day.
- US trade statistics report 236 million kilograms (519 million pounds) of tea imports per year.
- 646,575 kilograms (1.42 million pounds) of tea is consumed per day in the United States.
- Five out of six North Americans drink tea.
- The average North American consumes one cup of tea per day.
- The average North American consumes 800 grams (1.76 pounds) of tea each year.
- American tea industry wholesale purchases increased 130% from $2 billion annually a decade ago to more than $4.6 billion in 1999.
- Tea consumption generates approximately $150 million in sales each year in Canada.
- Tea consumption will continue to increase as health-conscious consumers choose tea for its medicinal benefits.
- Tea is a rich source of antioxidants and flavanoids which are scientifically proven to aid in the prevention of heart disease and cancer.
- The antioxidants in two cups of black tea are equivalent to the antioxidants in one glass of red wine, seven
glasses of orange juice, or 20 glasses of apple juice.
|
