Brazil, being the largest coffee producer in the world, is primarily a coffee-drinking nation. However, tea drinking has been increasing in popularity since the early seventies among the middle class and in the wealthier areas. Tea is now grown in the Bahia area of Brazil. The Bahia is a well-known, highly productive coffee-growing region with a strong African influence dating back to the slave- trasing days.

Tea drinking has not spread among the masses as of yet. However, ladies out for a day’s shopping may stop and enjoy an “afternoon tea.” Teahouses called sopos de cha, which means “cups of tea,” have sprung up in the cities of Brazil. Here one can order a cup of tea and a Danish pastry. Both green and black teas are available, served in porcelain cups.
Tea is served with milk, or cream and sugar if preferred. Brazil has large sugarcane and dairy industries. In a copo de cha, you may ask for:

Cha com leite: tea with milk.
Cha sem leite: tea without milk.
Cha com azucar: tea with sugar.

A damp sugar that melts faster than the conventional granulated sugar is used in Brazil. Tea is made and drunk the same way as it is in the United States.

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