As the world marks International Tea Day, tea is an integral part of life in Bahrain – more than just a drink, it has become a cultural tradition for generations. The Kingdom’s pride in its tea drinking heritage continues to provide numerous opportunities to remind others about how important this simple liquid has been in connecting the people of Bahrain through their social and community interactions with each other and with their visitors and guests.
An example of how much tea means to the people of Bahrain can be seen by the thousands of locals and expats who gather each day at the coffee shops and souqs throughout Manama and throughout the GCC to drink tea with their friends and extended family members. They speak of tea—without using words—by simply offering a cup to another person in acknowledgement of their relationship.
In Bahraini households, many people regard pouring a cup of karak (the region’s favourite spiced milk tea) for someone as a ceremonial event. Bahrain’s signature tea, karak, is made by combining four main ingredients: strong black tea, cardamom, sugar and milk. Karak is enjoyed by many today and reflects the history of the kingdom as a crossroad for Arab, Persian, Indian and British cultures.
Tea has a long history in Bahrain but has also become part of the modern lifestyle due to Bahrain’s booming cafe culture. Tea has been transformed by boutique tea lounges, wellness cafes, and artisan brewers into a new experience for young drinkers by offering distinctive blends, including saffron-infused blends, Japanese matcha, and exquisite Chinese oolong.
Worldwide, tea is the second most consumed beverage after water globally (over 2 billion cups of tea are consumed each day). In Bahrain, tea has become even more important because of the hospitality and local customs, where sharing it is an integral part of both business meetings and family celebrations.
Moreover, tea’s popularity continues to grow because of its health benefits; for example, tea is an excellent source of antioxidants, and there are many types of tea known today that promote heart health, reduce stress, and increase mental alertness—attributes that have become increasingly important in today’s fast-paced world.
The Bahrain food-and-beverage industry continues to thrive economically due in large part to the power of tea. As demand grows, restaurants, cafés and boutique tea brands can take advantage of tea’s rising popularity, while traditional Bahraini tea experiences are offered by tourism outlets to give visitors a cultural experience.
Tea’s most prominent characteristic is the ability to be very simple.
In this fast-paced, screen-dominated world, finishing the conversation with a cup of tea can allow you to pause for a moment. This pause creates an opportunity for conversation. This pause helps build relationships between people.
Thus, in Bahrain, where heritage and modernity co-exist, this pause is an important element of the country’s culture.
And today, from homes to offices and cafés throughout the Kingdom, many people will enjoy a cup of tea not only to satisfy their thirst but also to show their appreciation for the rich cultural heritage that connects all people, one by one, with each sip of tea.
