The Craft of Coffee and Tea in Asia

Asia is the originating point for exploring coffee and tea customs, including craft preparation, culture, and social customs. From peaceful Japanese tea ceremonies to Turkish coffee culture steeped in complexity, tea and coffee across Asia will each share their own unique story through instant rehydration.

The Enduring Tradition of Tea in Asia

Tea has always been a representation of hospitality, social connection, and mindfulness in Asia. In China, tea drinking is recorded as early as 5,000 years ago and eventually became an art form of sorts—how tea diverts the senses of aroma, taste, and balance to contribute to the experience of drinking it in the first place. The Japanese tea ceremony, chanoyu, incorporates the power of harmony and respect and establishes an overly deliberate aesthetic, almost spiritual in nature, transforming tea drinking into a meditative experience. In India, tea becomes a lively, flavorful experience through famous chai, or spiced tea with milk, that comforts the heart and mind as it is shared and served across the country. 

Korean traditions have organised tea drinking in an art form called darye, which includes elements of peace and respect for nature, and in Thailand, cha yen or Thai iced tea infuses a modern, fun, and sweet feel to a mix of traditional tea flavours with condensed milk and crushed ice.

Coffee Culture: A Complex Brew

While tea dominates in many parts of Asia, coffee is a refreshing perspective. In Vietnam, cà phê sữa đá (iced coffee with condensed milk) is extremely popular. Street cafés bustle with activity, which is re-energising the nation’s spirit. Turkey and the Middle East stand out for their thick, aromatic coffee brewed in three-ounce pots called cezve, frequently served with a side of hospitality and friendship.

Kopi luwak, also known as civet coffee from Indonesia, is one of the world’s most expensive coffees. Coffee beans are eaten and later excreted by the civet before they are harvested, cleaned, and dry roasted to create a unique drink!

Examining the Tradition of Tea & Coffee in Asian Heritage

If readers would like to learn more about traditional Asian beverages, please follow our culinary heritage section, where we explore the cultural essences of foods and beverages. 

A Cup That Crosses Cultures

The art of tea and coffee across Asia involves more than the beverage experiences; it connects generations, forms bonds across cultures, and creates memories. Each experience of having a cup, whether it is a Japanese matcha or a Vietnamese coffee, our experience is unique, and expresses the Asian spirit of flavours, patience and togetherness.

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