How national drinks shape culture: sake, tea, and beyond

Drinks are more than something we sip to quench thirst. They often become emblems of a country, its history, and its habits. In every beverage, you can sense climate, tradition, and national character. Sometimes that meaning runs so deep that a drink is treated as cultural heritage. In 2024, Japanese sake was added to a UNESCO list as a value for the entire world.

Drinks as part of life and custom

In many countries, drinks carry special weight. They are not just everyday refreshments but also parts of festivities and rituals. In Islamic countries, alcohol is prohibited, which has encouraged distinctive nonalcoholic traditions. Elsewhere, alcohol has become a key sign of hospitality and celebration. These choices often say as much about values as they do about taste.

Sake: Japan’s pride

Sake is known worldwide, yet in Japan it holds particular meaning. It appears in religious ceremonies and family celebrations. In 2024, UNESCO recognized the production of sake as intangible heritage of humanity. Few beverages feel so closely tied to place.

Tea: one drink, many cultures

Tea is a clear example of a drink that unfolds differently across cultures. In Britain it accompanies an elegant afternoon with pastries and sandwiches. In Japan it becomes a disciplined tea ceremony. In Tibet it is tea with salt and butter, helping people stay warm in the cold mountains. The contrast shows how one and the same product can carry very different meanings depending on where it is poured.

Teh tarik and tuak: traditions of Southeast Asia

In Malaysia, teh tarik—tea with milk that is poured back and forth between cups to cool and foam—enjoys particular affection. It is often described as the country’s unofficial national drink, and there is an application to recognize it as part of cultural heritage.

Meanwhile, in Indonesia and parts of Malaysia, tuak is common: an alcoholic drink made from palm sap or rice. It is directly linked to the local environment and rural traditions, two paths that reveal the region’s character from different angles.

Europe: drinks as symbols

Europe offers a rich roster of national drinks. France is known for Champagne, Portugal for Port, the Balkans for rakija, and Romania for țuică. These beverages have long moved beyond simple refreshment to become part of each country’s image. In some cases, they are even protected by law as products with a unique origin.

What’s changing today

Across the world, people increasingly choose drinks with a story and a clear link to where they come from. Taste still matters, but so do the ingredients and methods behind the glass. Interest is growing in sustainability and the use of local produce—provenance and process taking their rightful place alongside flavor.

Why preserving traditions matters

There are challenges. Mass production can simplify recipes and strip away authenticity, while parts of tradition risk fading as older ways of life recede. That is why preserving and developing distinctive recipes without losing their cultural meaning feels especially important today. The future of these drinks depends on keeping that balance intact.