
Note: This article’s statistics come from third-party sources and do not represent the opinions of this website.
We’ve all heard the wonderful debate—which is better, coffee or tea? While we may never be able to put the dispute to rest, we can take a look at a few tea and coffee statistics that lovers of these beverages can take with them into 2022. This will help you understand where your favorite stands and whether you’re willing to give the other drink a try due to how others feel about it. Read on below to know all about tea drinker versus coffee drinker statistics.

The 18 Tea Drinkers vs. Coffee Drinkers Statistics
- Tea ranks as the second most popular beverage worldwide after water.
- Black tea remains the most widely consumed tea variety globally.
- Global tea consumption reached 297 billion liters in 2021.
- China dominated the tea market in 2020 with 78.7 billion US dollars in revenue.
- Bubble tea orders in Southeast Asia surged 3,000% in 2018.
- The wholesale price of tea rose 50% worldwide in 2020 due to pandemic-related disruptions.
- Between 75% and 80% of tea consumed in the United States is iced tea.
- Americans consumed 89 billion servings of tea in 2021.
- In 2019, 48% of tea consumed by Americans occurred at food service locations.
- More than 50 countries worldwide contribute to coffee production.
- Brazil accounted for 44% of worldwide coffee exports in 2019.
- Global coffee sales decreased by 3.8% in 2020 compared to 2019 figures.
- Coffee sales are projected to reach the $1 billion mark in 2023.
- The Netherlands led global coffee consumption in 2020 at 8.3 kilograms per capita.
- World coffee prices per pound hit their lowest point in over a decade during 2019.
- The United States ranks 25th in per capita coffee consumption worldwide.
- Over 37,000 coffee shops and cafes operated in the United States in 2020.
- On average, US coffee drinkers consume two to three cups of coffee daily.

Tea Statistics Worldwide
1. Tea is considered the second-most popular ingest of preference worldwide.
While coffee is a preferred ingest in many countries, when looking at worldwide drink consumption statistics, tea is the second-most consumed beverage. The beverage producing the top of the list is packaged water.

2. Black tea is the most consumed tea around the world.
Black tea is considered the favored kind of tea worldwide. In the United States alone, nearly 90% of all tea consumed is steeped from black tea leaves. The steep time and water temperature significantly affect the extraction of flavor and antioxidants.
3. 297 billion liters of tea were consumed worldwide in 2021.
World Tea News
The worldwide consumption of tea has been on the rise. In 2021, 297 billion liters of tea were consumed worldwide. This is an increase of 63 billion liters since 2013.

Tea Industry Statistics to Understand
4. In 2020, China dominated the tea market with 78.7 billion US dollars of revenue.
(Statista)
When it comes to the tea industry, China is predominately the leader in all areas. In 2020 alone, the country earned what translates into 78.7 billion US dollars in revenue from tea production. Brazil and India found themselves taking 2nd and 3rd place by earning 16 billion and 15.8 billion, respectively.
5. In 2018, bubble tea made a 3,000% jump in orders throughout the Southeast Asia region.
(The Asean Article)
The bubble tea in the Southeast Asia region brewed an incredible leap when it came to orders in 2018. With the popularity of this tea continuing to rise, this number is expected to continue growing, particularly as bubble tea becomes a global trend.

6. Worldwide, the wholesale price of tea rose 50% in 2020 due to the pandemic.
(Forbes)
Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic had a huge effect on the price of tea around the world. On average, consumers were paying up to 50% more for wholesale tea, bottled tea, and tea bags across the globe.
US Tea Statistics
7. 75%–80% of tea drank in the United States is iced tea.
(Tea Association of the U.S.A. Inc.)
Popularized in the Southern states, iced tea is rather popular in America. Lots of love this type of tea throughout the year but it is a prized staple during the warmer months, particularly in those states with long, hot summers.

8. Americans consumed 85 billion servings of tea throughout 2021.
(Tea Association of the U.S.A. Inc.)
Throughout 2021, people in the United States consumed 85 billion servings of tea which equates to more than 3.9 billion gallons.
9. In 2019, 48% of tea consumed by Americans took place at food service locations.
(Euromonitor International)
Before the pandemic, the majority of Americans enjoyed their tea while at restaurants or other locations that served food. This is where 48% of the country’s overall tea intake took place.

Worldwide Coffee Statistics
10. Worldwide, more than 50 countries contribute to coffee production.
According to the National Coffee Association, global coffee production now spans over 50 countries, reflecting sustained demand across continents.
Brazil led coffee exports in 2019, followed by Indonesia at roughly 8% of export sales, per the International Coffee Organization.
11. In 2019, Brazil accounted for 44% of worldwide coffee exportation.
Worldwide coffee sales in 2019 surpassed 2020 figures, with a 3.8% decline in 2020 that has since rebounded.
Espresso-based drinks remain a dominant force in global consumption, with specialty roasters driving growth in emerging markets.

12. In 2020, worldwide coffee sales decreased by 3.8% in comparison to 2019’s reported numbers.
Roast profiles and grind consistency directly influence extraction quality, a principle central to modern coffee preparation worldwide.
These statistics underscore coffee’s role as a globally traded commodity, shaped by both tradition and evolving brewing techniques.
Coffee Industry Statistics to Know
13. Coffee sales in 2023 are expected to reach the $1 billion mark.
(World Coffee Portal)
With more young people becoming fans of coffee, sales are expected to reach upwards of $1 billion by 2023. The rise of specialty coffee and improved extraction techniques like those used in espresso preparation have driven this growth.

14. The Netherlands was responsible for the highest coffee usage in 2020, reaching 8.3 kilograms per capita.
(Espresso Coffee Time)
People in the Netherlands love coffee. In 2020, they were the world leader in coffee intake, consuming an average of 8.4 kilograms per person annually.
15. In 2019, the world reported the lowest coffee prices per pound in more than a decade.
(National Coffee Association)
2019 was an ideal year for coffee drinkers. Prices were at the lowest per pound than they have been in over a decade, but pandemic impacts have bumped the prices back up and have yet to match 2019 levels.

US Coffee Statistics
16. The United States ranks 25th in the most coffee consumed per capita.
(World Atlas)
While people in the US may love coffee, when it comes to per capita drinking the country ranks 25th. This comes out to roughly 9.26 pounds per person.
17. In 2020, there were over 37,000 coffee shops or cafes in the United States.
(World Coffee Portal)
The US is well-known for coffee shops. In 2020, more than 37,000 coffee shops were active in the country. Imagine if we included all the places that simply served coffee nevertheless weren’t labeled cafes, the number would likely be 10 times as big.

18. On typical, US coffee drinkers consume two to three cups of coffee daily.
(Statista)
The enjoy of coffee in the United States is clear. But, on regular, coffee drinkers in the US consume two to three cups of coffee per day, which is somewhat tame compared to some European countries.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tea Drinkers vs Coffee Drinkers
Which has more caffeine, coffee or tea?
While tea leaves contain more caffeine than coffee beans, the brewing method makes all the difference. More coffee beans are used when producing a cup of joe, so brewed coffee has higher caffeine content than steeped tea. This extraction difference explains why a standard espresso delivers a more concentrated dose than a long steep of loose leaves. (Healthline)
Who prefers sugar in their consume more? Tea drinkers or coffee drinkers?
According to a survey conducted by OnePoll, most coffee drinkers prefer their beverage black. When it comes to tea, however, the majority of people want sugar added. (SWNS Digital)
Which drink do people prefer many in the mornings?
For those needing a morning caffeine jolt, coffee is the clear winner. People enjoy tea in the mornings too, but most caffeine lovers consider coffee the stronger of the two and the most likely to supply the surge needed to start their day. The difference in body and perceived energy boost often comes down to how each beverage is brewed and consumed.

Are Tea and Coffee Bad for You?
One thing every tea or coffee drinker wonders is whether their ingest of preference is bad for them. Each beverage brings something different to the table so let’s take a look at each one below.
The Good and Bad of Tea
Whether you’re a fan of hot tea, iced tea, sweetened tea, or tea with honey the most important issue is what it will do to your health. One of the greatest things to keep in mind when you’re guzzling tea is the amount of caffeine it contains. Each sort of tea is different. Black tea contains more caffeine than green tea. Plus, the caffeine level in tea changes according to how it’s made and how long you steep it. However, tea likewise includes L-theanine, which assists metabolize the caffeine it contains. This is why the majority of people who ingest tea feel more sustained energy than coffee drinkers.
The Good and Bad of Coffee
While coffee contains more caffeine than tea, that doesn’t mean it’s bad for you. Coffee is an excellent way to wake up in the mornings and offers more antioxidants than tea. These antioxidants help fight several diseases and disorders. By consuming the recommended daily amount of caffeine, coffee drinkers can enjoy their favorite beverage while improving their health. Proper extraction techniques, such as controlling grind size and brew temperature, further enhance coffee’s benefits.

Conclusion
As you can see, tea may be the better selling beverage, nevertheless the love for coffee is steadily growing. When it comes to money, coffee is clearly the bigger industry. Whether you’re a fan of a morning cup of joe or a nice cup of tea to unwind, one thing is constant, ideal taste. Each drink has caffeine and can be sweetened to your liking so love your coffee or tea and remember to be open-minded when someone gives you something different. You may end up becoming a fan of a consume you never imagined you’d like.
Featured Image Credit: Joanna Kosinska, Unsplash
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