Japan
Tea was brought to Japan from China somewhere in
between the 6th and 8th century by buddhistic monchs. It developed to
being a national drink in the 14th century. The first scientifical
descpription of tea origins from Japan and not from China, from the
German Engelbrecht Kaempfer from Lemgo who explained the country to
foreigners. At that point in time, the tea ceremony had already been
part of the Japanese culture for centuries.
Originally only a producer of green tea, Japan now also produces black
tea since the opening of the country in the year 1854. This used to be
only for export, but is, since the Second World War when Western habits
were taken up, also for internal consumption. On approximately 60,000
hektares, about 190,000 tons of tea are produced. Because the internal
consumption is high, only small amounts of specialities are exported.
Japan is a buyer of cheap green teas as well as black teas in
Darjeeling, Taiwan, China und Sri Lanka.