WORLD CUP GUIDE TO TEA 

The World Cup is underway across the US, Canada, and Mexico—including our own Dallas/Fort Worth with nine matches. Forty-eight nations, one beautiful game, and millions of fans united by sport. But here's why tea is the world's cup: it does the same thing. While soccer brings the world together on the pitch, tea has been the ultimate social connector for centuries, sipped in living rooms, cafés, and ceremonial spaces from Tokyo to Marrakech. So we've curated a spirited guide of signature brews of the World Cup nations. Bonus, get 15% off the recommended tea choice with coupon code WORLDCUP26 until the 2026 trophy is lifted, because the best way to cheer on your team is with a cup that tells their story.

1. USA- The Cup's Ice.

While hot tea is served here, iced tea is the overwhelming favorite with a whopping approximately 75% of all tea consumed is served cold. With visitors experiences some of our notorious hot summers (especially in Texas and the South)- it may not be hard to understand why!  Quick side note, our favorite artisan tea actually grown in the U.S.A. is a unique black tea with notes of malt and sweet potato in Black Magnolia. However, the farm that grows it was hit by a tornado right before harvest season. If you are able and want to help them recoup you can donate or sign up to be notified when the tea back in stock. 

2. Mexico- Mexican Cinnamon Chocolate.

 Mexico has a strong herbal tea culture with hot served manzanilla (chamomile) and cold served agua de jamaica (hibiscus) topping the list, but we recommend Mexican Cinnamon Chocolate. Inspired by rich Mexican style drinking chocolate and a creamy cinnamon Horchata, this cocoa and cinnamon black tea is comfort in a cup! 

3. Canada- Maple Toddy.

For the other co-host, a bold Orange Pekoe style black tea is the most popular choice, but if you ask us, Maple is the must-have Canadian flavor, and it pairs beautifully with tea! This black tea has real dehydrated maple syrup blended in it and joined by cinnamon and marigold.

4. Japan- Shade Grown Sencha. 

One of the most familiar tea growing regions in the world, Japan, is renown for quality green teas—Matcha, Sencha, Hojicha, and more! Matcha is having a moment, but its actually Sencha that makes up more than 60% of Japan's total tea production. We love this vibrant and umami rich sencha that has been shade-grown like matcha and gyokuro (just not for quite as long). 

5. England- Empress of Peking. 

England is a tea drinking powerhouse and a main player in turning tea into a global commodity.  The most quintessentially British teas are English Breakfast, Earl Grey, and Darjeeling. Empress of Peking is hand blended in Bath, England and reminds us a little of all three tea styles. It is smooth like a breakfast tea, contains bergamot like an Earl Grey, and has a bit of a lively note similar to Darjeeling.  

6. South Africa- Orange Sunset Rooibos. 

Rooibos, also known as redbush tea, is a naturally caffeine free plant that is native to South Africa. It provides a nice, robust, earthy flavor that blends beautifully. It is traditionally recommended to relieve stomach ailments and colic, but this healthy tisane has other benefits as well. While we offer a variety of flavors, Orange Sunset Rooibos is one of our original rooibos options, and the bright orange notes continue to keep customers coming back for more! 

7. Germany- Baked Apple Almond.

Herbal and fruit infusions are the most reached for in this country. We love Baked Apple Almond for its cozy vibe that reminds of strolling through one of Germany’s famous holiday markets with its warm notes of toasted nuts, cinnamon, and sweet stewed apples. But the majority of our fruit teas are blended in Germany, and they are all delicious!

8. France- French Breakfast.

For France, you can’t go wrong with any Mariage Frères tea. This iconic Paris based brand was established in 1854 and is renowned for its incredible flavors. We established a relationship over 30 years ago, and are the only shop in the country that is licensed to sell their teas loose-leaf. We are constantly rotating through their vast array of flavors, save for about a dozen standards, like French Breakfast, a top-seller with a smooth body and hint of vanilla that transports you to Paris! 

9. Türkiye- Turkish Delight.

Many people are surprised to learn that Turkey drinks the most tea per capita - drinking 3-4 kilos per person annually! In Turkey, tea is closely associated with hospitality. You always find a pot brewing in the home, at businesses, and even to welcome you in shops. To feed this demand they produce much of their own tea, 95% actually, in the Rize Region. While we don’t carry Turkish grown tea (the most popular being state owned Çaykur), we created an exclusive blend to pay homage to another Turkish treasure, Turkish delight! We blended a creamy black tea with toasted pistachios and almonds, dates, and rose petals to create a dessert in a cup! 

10. Spain-Silver Linden Flower Teabags (Tilia Argentea).

Spain is another nation with a preference for herbal and caffeine free tisanes. Among their favorites are manzanilla (chamomile), menta poleo (peppermint) and tilia or linden flowers. It is sought after for its calming and stress relieving properties. Only available in teabags. 

11. Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, Brazil- Yerba Mate, Latin Lover or Polo Club Green Tin.

Yerba mate is a unique tisane made from leaves of a tree in the holly family native to the subtropical rainforests in South America. It has a deep rooted cultural significance, being originally consumed by the indigenous peoples of the region. All these countries enjoy this caffeinated brew although they have their own methods and rituals for consuming it. We do not carry it loose leaf, but offer two specialty blends that use it as the main ingredient by Mariage Frères.

12. Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria- Marrakech Teatime.

Magherbi tea, sometimes referred to as Moroccan Mint tea, is Morocco’s national drink, but this tea is popular across North Africa and the southern Andalusian area of Spain. A  sweetened green tea infused with fresh mint, it is an integral part of the social culture. Marrakech Teatime is our original take on this infamous tea style. 

13. Curaçao, Haiti, Senegal, Ivory Coast - Hibiscus Ruby Red.

The hot climates of the Caribbean and African coasts all share a love for hibiscus to help them cool down. In the Caribbean they have sorrel, a bright hibiscus punch served with spices and citrus. In West Africa they have bissap, a chilled hibiscus tea with mint and sweetened with fruit juices and sometimes vanilla. (In Ghana it is known as sobolo and in Nigeria its zobo).

14. Cape Verde- Spearmint Spa

Cape Verde leans into refreshing herbals like lemongrass, hibiscus, and citrus peel for their most popular teas and infusions. It is their first time at the World Cup, and they had an impressive initial showing against Spain, so we are recommending a tea as cool as they are under pressure with Spearmint Spa or hortelã as it is known there! 

15. Uzbekistan- Green Dragon

In Uzbekistan tea is a pillar of social life and a symbol of hospitality, always served to guests before and after meals. Besides in some eastern regions, a robust green, like a gunpowder, is preferred. Our Green Dragon is actually a blend of predominantly green with some oolong, which we believe gives it that bold, slightly roasted flavor.  

16. Panama- Dream Teabags

Panama is yet another Spanish speaking region that reaches for herbals. Preferences include lemongrass, ginger, mint, chamomile, and the most unique, cascara (the dried skins of coffee cherries). Mariage Frères makes a lovely herbal tea that blends many of these and similar herbs in convenient teabags for a relaxing elixir. 

17. Ghana- Dark Chocolate Black

Ghana has a vibrant traditional tea and herbal scene. With sobolo ( a spiced hibiscus tea), lemongrass, ginger, spiced green, and standard black teas all consumed. However, we were delighted to learn that in local slang ordering a ‘tea’ may actually get you a hot, sweet, malted chocolate drink (like Ovaltine). With that as inspiration, we offer a true tea in Dark Chocolate Black, a slightly malty black tea base blended with cacao that produces a rich chocolatey experience, just add a splash of milk! 

18. Iran, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Iraq- Spiced Tea/Chai (Morning Jumpstart or Raj Masala)

Many Middle Eastern countries enjoy some form of spiced tea or chai as their preferred beverage. The variations are numerous across cultures, with different spices, sweeteners, and accompaniments being used. But you need a strong black tea for a base. For that we recommend Morning Jumpstart, a malty Assam. Or if you prefer your tea pre-spiced, try our Raj Masala Chai. 

19. Egypt- Chamomile Cool Mint

Tea culture is strong in Egypt, with shai or tea named the national drink. There are two main black tea varieties— Koshary which is steeped with sugar and mint similar to Maghrebi mint tea, and Saiidi which is steeped for a long time to create a concentrated brew that is then sweetened to taste with sugar. Besides these black teas, herbal teas are popular. They also grow well in the area, leading them to be a major exporter. Our Chamomile and Spearmint are organically grown in Egypt. This blend marries them together for a calming and stomach settling tonic! 

20. Australia, New Zealand, Netherlands, Scotland- Keemun Single Malt

These countries all seem to gravitate towards a good breakfast or bold black tea. Some countries prioritize body, malty flavor, or boldness.  We love our Keemun Single Malt as a general crowd-pleasing breakfast style black. Its full-bodied and robust while remaining smooth with pleasing notes of malt and cocoa. 

21. South Korea- Organic Genmaicha

South Korea is  producing high quality tea, especially green, in prime growing regions like the volcanic Jeju Island, Boseong, and Hadong. The most popular tea for the moment among South Koreans though is roasted barley tea. Another top choice is brown rice green tea. We carry an organic version that is brothy, nutty, and satisfying!

22. Ecuador- Guayusa

A tisane made from an ancient caffeinated plant in the Ecuadorian Amazon. It was a ceremonial drink by the Kichwa people and remains popular today. We unfortunately do not currently carry any, but hope to soon! 

23. Colombia- Colombian Jardin

The Colombian Andes has prime terroir for producing specialty black and green tea, and indeed they are being made. However, Colombia is internationally recognized as a premier coffee growing region. We love our Colombian coffee sourced from Jardin that is complex with notes of chocolate and toasted nuts, with a bright and clean finish. 

In the following  nations, coffee reigns supreme—tea and herbal tisanes are mostly relegated to the sidelines as comfort sips or wellness remedies. But don't count tea out just yet. The global tea culture is thriving (matcha and boba are taking over internationally), and we wouldn't be surprised if tea makes a serious run at the trophy in these regions by the next World Cup. Browse all our coffee options. 

1. Austria
2. Belgium
3. Bosnia & Herzegovina
4. Coratia
5. Czechia
6. Democratic Republic of Congo
7. Norway
8. Portugal
9. Sweden
10. Switzerland