India, Jan. 25 -- Renowned as the most popular beverage in the world, tea is consumed as part of lifestyles around the world. Served either hot or cold, the consumption of tea has seen a steady increase over the last few years. It's interesting to know that tea outnumbers the consumption of coffee by an approximate ratio of 1:3. In fact, tea is the only beverage that probably touches the hearts and minds of people from lowest income strata of the society to the absolute elites.

Looking at consumption of tea back in the '50s, we see that it was consumed by only rich people. Back then, the beverage symbolised superiority and an elite passion of the then religious leaders and aristocrats. Hosting high tea parties was a lifestyle statement t...