The History of Tea and Tea Market in Thailand

Originally, tea was first known in ancient China for more than four thousand years ago. Tea has spread through trade routes and gained popularity in Japan and later in Europe by the 16th century. The British East India Company facilitated tea's mass consumption, gradually leading to global popularity. Nowadays, Thailand has continued to gain reputation as a great tea source. If you are keen to learn about tea sourcing, let’s get to know the type of tea available in Thailand and why Thailand has become competitive in terms of tea sourcing.

Additionally, we will introduce you to the No.1 wholesale food market in Thailand, “Phenix”, which is now trending among international tea merchants.

What is Afternoon Tea and Why Has it Gained Popularity?

What is afternoon tea? Despite its popularity, some are still wondering about it. Afternoon tea has been known to have initiated by the British when tea is being enjoyed with a light meal like scones, cookies, sandwiches and pastries, generally from the early to late afternoon. Afternoon tea is best enjoyed with friends or family. Afternoon tea has gained popularity due to its charming ambiance and the rise of café culture. Social media has also played a role in spreading the charm of afternoon tea. More consumers have become educated with more type of tea, resulting in the thriving of tea business worldwide.

Bedazzled by Tea? Let’s Get to Know the Afternoon Tea History

Afternoon tea history begun with a British tradition originating in the early 19th century. It features the serving of tea, pairing with assorted light snacks, such as sandwiches, scones and pastries. It was popularized by a Duchess named Anna Maria Russell, who sought to solve midday hunger. Soon after, this delightful little meal evolved into a social occasion, reflecting leisure and socialization. As time goes by, afternoon tea has become popular across the globe, which therefore resulted in the growth of tea consumption and trade worldwide.

The Universe of Tea - Let’s Learn About the Type of Tea

There is a wide spectrum of teas. With its aroma, taste, caffeine content and benefits, each type of tea suits individuals differently. If you’re confident that you know much about tea, it’s good to check it out if you’ve already known all the world’s most common teas! Now let’s explore the universe of tea.

1. White Tea

Delicate and subtle, white tea is made from young tea leaves and buds. Known for its light flavor, it’s rich in antioxidants and offers a soothing, floral aroma with a hint of sweetness.

2. Sencha / Green Tea

Sencha is a Japanese green tea, characterized by its bright, grassy flavor and vibrant green color. This type of tea provides a refreshing, slightly bitter taste, making it a great match with sweet snacks.

3. Jasmine Tea

Jasmine tea is green tea infused with fragrant jasmine flowers. This type of tea boasts a sweet, floral aroma and a smooth, refreshing taste, offering a calming experience with low caffeine content.

4. Genmaicha

This Japanese tea is a blend of green tea and roasted brown rice. Genmaicha has a unique nutty flavor profile, combining the freshness of green tea with the toasty, comforting notes of rice.

5. Matcha

Matcha is finely ground powdered green tea packed with antioxidants. Recognized for its vibrant green color and rich umami flavor with creamy and frothy texture, matcha is perfect as an everyday drink and as the ritual drink in Japanese tea ceremonies.

6. Oolong Tea

Oolong tea offers a complex flavor profile, ranging from floral to fruity. This type of tea has a rich aroma and is smooth with a lingering finish that delights the palate, matching well with any afternoon snack.

7. Black Tea

Black tea has a bold, robust flavor and dark color, so it is best enjoyed with milk or sugar. Black tea delivers a strong caffeine kick and a comforting, hearty experience.

8. Earl Grey Tea

Earl Grey is a black tea flavored with bergamot oil, giving it a distinctive citrusy aroma. This fragrant tea offers a smooth, refreshing taste. It can be enjoyed plain or used as a key flavor of modern dessert.

9. Red Tea

Red tea or rooibos is a caffeine-free herbal tea from South Africa. This type of tea has a naturally sweet, earthy flavor with hints of vanilla, making it a soothing, antioxidant-rich beverage.

10. Ceylon Tea

Originated in Sri Lanka, Ceylon tea is known for its bright, brisk flavor and citrusy notes. The taste varies based on elevation. Nowadays, Ceylon Tea is popularly used as a key ingredient for boba milk tea.

11. Assam Tea

Assam tea is a strong, malty black tea from India, renowned for its bold flavor and rich color. It has become one of the most common type of tea grown in Thailand. It can be enjoyed with milk during breakfast or afternoon tea but has recently gained popularity as a main ingredient for milk tea.

12. Mix & Match of Tea and Snacks

Tea and snack matching is easy! Balance sweetness and bitterness by matching bitter teas with sweeter snacks. Contrast textures by pairing smooth teas with crunchy items. Consider aromas, regional characters and common ingredients to enhance flavor and create a blissful tea experience.

All Type of Tea Made Available 24/7 at PhenixBox

If success and profitability in tea business are your goals, look no further. With the biggest selection of teas for your business, the Phenix, Bangkok-based top wholesale food market, is where you can purchase directly from quality tea sellers no matter what type of tea you’ve been searching for. But if an online purchase is your preference, the market also has an online wholesale platform with comprehensive purchasing solutions called the “PhenixBox”!

Phenix Box

Launched as Thailand's leading O2O marketplace, PhenixBox is designed to foster global business connections through direct interactions between local sellers and international buyers. This integrated platform seamlessly connects the Phenix physical market with our O2O marketplace. Beside all type of tea, PhenixBox also promises complete support, ranging from payment processing, logistics to messaging services. Key strategic features include:

• Group Purchase: Even if you're placing a small order, you can team up with other entrepreneurs to benefit from competitive pricing.
• e-Catalog: Access all type of tea from Thailand, along with essential equipment to support your business needs.
• Seller Store: We prioritize your safety and transparency. This feature allows you to review seller profiles and assess their credibility, ensuring a reliable experience.

We hope this article has given you valuable insights into all type of tea and the best sourcing place to inspire your tea business ambitions. Phenix, we believe "Flavor Gets Its Wings Worldwide," and PhenixBox is your gateway to global profitability. Explore new opportunities with us 24/7!!