The first European nation to drink tea was Portugal. The Portuguese were the first European power to establish direct trade with China in the late 16th century, and they brought back tea from China as part of their trade goods. By the early 17th century, tea had become popular in Portugal and was also introduced to other European countries, such as the Netherlands and England, through tradePortugal, with its pioneering spirit in maritime exploration, emerges as the first European nation to embrace the tradition of tea consumption. The late 16th century witnessed Portugal's establishment of direct trade connections with China, marking a historic exchange of goods and cultural practices.
As Portuguese traders engaged with Chinese merchants, tea became a notable inclusion in the commodities brought back to Europe. The introduction of tea to Portugal, initially regarded as a luxury item, soon sparked a cultural shift in the European perception of this aromatic beverage. The popularity of tea in Portugal set the stage for its subsequent dissemination across the continent, reaching other nations like the Netherlands and England through the channels of trade and cultural exchange. The journey of tea from a distant corner of the world to becoming a cherished part of European culture is intertwined with Portugal's early engagement with global trade and exploration.