Our love for chai-tea is not unknown in this world, we Indians love our hot “adrak wali chai“. Not just chai-tea, Indians love different types of teas and coffees as well. Coffee consumption and beverage trends in the Indian market are rapidly changing; according to a survey report, about 25% of the respondents said they feel the hot beverage culture has shifted.
Tea v/s coffee is also one of the favourite online battle topics for the lovers of these beverages. So, this one is for all tea and coffee lovers. In this blog, we will trace consumption data of these beverages in our country, their history, and health benefits, amongst other things, to settle the final question: Tea v/s coffee, who takes the win?
Tea v/s Coffee Consumption Rates In India
Both the drinks are extensively popular in India. But to know how much, and to settle the tea v/s coffee debate, here are some quick data points for you!
- Tea consumption in India has increased consistently over the years; it was approximately 1.1 billion kilograms in 2021. In comparison, coffee consumption amounted to 1210 thousand 60-kilogram bags across India in 2022.
- The value of the coffee cafe market has grown to an estimated 25 billion Indian Rupees in 2018 and was estimated to reach about 125 billion Indian rupees in 2020.
- In a survey by YouGov Omnibus, tea was preferred over coffee by more than two in five respondents (44%). Eighteen per cent of people chose coffee, and 38% said both. A variance based on the region has also been observed; west India has a higher number of tea drinkers at 55%, while the southern part has more coffee consumers at 26%.
As per the data, India has a higher tea-drinking population but a rising coffee market!
History of Tea And Coffee in India
Tea originated in Yunnan province of China and was introduced by the British in the nineteenth century to eliminate the monopoly of China. China supplied approximately 90% of the tea consumed by Britain before India started its production. Beginning in the 1850s, the tea industry rapidly expanded, taking vast tracts of land for tea plantations. By the turn of the century, Assam became the leading tea-producing region in the world. India is the second largest tea producer in the world, and 70% of it is consumed in India itself.
Interestingly, coffee had existed in India since the 17th century, when the Baba Budani (infamous Indian Sufi saint) smuggled seven coffee beans out of the Yemini port of Mokka. He brought some mocha beans to India and planted them in his home in Karnataka. It eventually led to coffee plantations in the south and all over India.
Health Benefits and Side Effects: Tea v/s Coffee
One of the most crucial factors in the tea v/s coffee battle is the question of their benefits and side effects on our health. Let’s settle that question together!
1. Caffeine Content
People look for caffeine to start their day and power through it. It is an alkaloid compound found primarily in tea and coffee plants and is a central nervous system stimulant. Coffee contains more caffeine than tea; however, tea leaves contain more naturally occurring caffeine than unfiltered coffee beans. Tea also has other chemical compounds like l-theanine that boost attention & focus.
2. Antioxidants
Antioxidants are found in many food items; they are manufactured or natural substances preventing or delaying some types of cell damage. Both the beverages, tea and coffee, are loaded with antioxidants. They both have polyphenols, which give them their unique flavour and health-promoting properties. Studies have shown that black tea may have cancer-protective properties, though more research is needed.
3. Weight Loss
As coffee has high caffeine content, it helps you lose weight faster. Coffee is also associated with fat-burning properties. In comparison, tea has polyphenols like theaflavin, which also seem to contribute to weight loss.
4. Other Effects
Given their antioxidant compositions, both coffee and black tea are fine sources of compounds that protect people from heat diseases and cancer. However, coffee has various side effects, like heart failure, increased heart rate, and high blood pressure. The high caffeine content of coffee, although good for an instant energy boost, may also cause anxiety and sleeplessness in some people.
Giants In The Industry
As the beverage market in India is rapidly growing and changing trends, we explore different industry giants in both beverages in this section.
1. Coffee
Nescafe dominates the Indian coffee market, accounting for 55% of the market share. Apart from Nescafe, Tata Coffee and BRU are other significant players. Tata coffee is one of the largest integrated coffee-producing companies in the world, and Bru (second to Nescafe) accounts for a 49.6% market share of the coffee industry in India.
2. Tea
The tea market is divided into product types like green tea, black tea and oolong tea. Some big players in the Indian tea market include Amar Tea Pvt. Ltd., Duncans Industries Ltd., Hindustan Unilever Limited, Organic India Private Limited, Tata Consumer Products, and Wagh Bakri Tea Group.
If you are a coffee lover, check out our blogs, “The Ultimate Guide To Coffee Roasting Techniques” and “7 Different Types of Coffee Brewing Techniques“.
Conclusively, we can say that tea and coffee are pretty popular in India, with tea taking the lead in terms of consumption and health benefits. However, with changing trends and more research being conducted about these beverages, a lot can change in the future.
But there is one thing we can say for sure – whether you like tea or coffee, there is a place for you and your love in the Indian market!
We hope you like this blog!
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