Lemon Honey Drop is a caffeine-free herbal tea that combines lemon and honey with 10% daily value of vitamin C in every cup. This citrusy brew blends the subtle flavours of honey with sweet and tangy notes reminiscent of candied lemon, providing a bright, uplifting experience any time of day.

Sleepytime Biotin Beauty Rest is the latest innovation in Celestial Seasoning’s long-standing fan favourite Sleepytime lineup. This caffeine-free herbal tea features the beloved Sleepytime blend with added biotin (vitamin B7) to complement consumers’ self-care routines.

“We are thrilled to announce the expansion of the Celestial Seasonings tea line with two new products that provide not only uncompromising exceptional flavour but also include ingredients and functional benefits that help support a healthy lifestyle,” said Emily Rosen, marketing director at Hain Celestial Group. “Our latest blends round out our already extensive portfolio of bagged tea offerings, so whether you’re looking for a cozy caffeine-free herbal tea or a fruit-forward blend that tastes great even over ice, we’ve got something for everyone.”

Celestial Seasonings teas are available at retailers nationwide including Amazon, Kroger, and Walmart, among others. Lemon Honey Drop retails for USD $3.59, and Sleepytime Biotin Beauty Rest retails for $4.99. For the full product portfolio and for more information on Celestial Seasonings, visit celestialseasonings.com.

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Key Highlights and Award Winners

Taiwan was the standout region of 2024, winning the highest number of awards overall with eight Gold and 10 Highly Commended winning teas. Taiwanese teas proved their excellence in various categories, with LuYu Tea Garden taking home the highly coveted Best in Black award for their exceptional black tea, which wowed judges with its depth and balanced flavour.

Japan once again took centre stage with Yame Tea Kumaen earning the prestigious Best in Show title for the second year. Their matcha saemidori astonished the judges with its sweet and creamy flavour and long-lasting smoothness. Japanese teas earned 16 Awards in total, including six Gold and 10 Highly Commended. Notably, Teaste it, an Italian-Japanese tea company, impressed the judges with their innovative Moka-cha, a matcha prepared in a traditional coffee moka pot.

Islington-based Japanese tea retailer Katsute claimed the most awards for any single retailer, receiving accolades for their premium matcha, gyokuro, and genmaicha teas. In India, Jay Shree Tea won the most awards of any single company. They were recognised with two Gold awards, including one for their experimental Steamed and Panned Darjeeling, along with three Highly Commended teas. Sri Lanka also earned seven awards overall, with high quality Ceylon teas demonstrating the region’s continued excellence in the global tea market.

China contributed some standout teas including Sichuan Emei-shan Zhuyeqing Tea’s scented jasmine, which was recognized not only for its superb quality but also for its artistry in tea making. Sichuan Emei-shan Zhuyeqing Tea was also honoured with The Leafies Pioneer Special Award for their impressive contributions to the industry. The Nepali tea community was also recognized this year, with Sandakphu and Nepal Tea Collective both winning Gold awards for their exceptional teas, highlighting Nepal’s growing prominence in the global tea industry.

New Categories and Innovative Teas

For the first time, The Leafies introduced a “Fruit and Herbal Infusions” category, which saw two extraordinary entries from Quinta de Soalheiro of Portugal. Their Lemon Verbena and Chocolate Mint infusions received glowing praise from the judging panel.

This year also marked significant recognition for retailers, with products like Birchall’s Great Rift Breakfast Blend and Copenhagen Sparkling Tea’s Jasmine, Darjeeling, Chamomile tea winning awards.

Commitment to Sustainability and Social Impact

An ongoing commitment from The Leafies to celebrate trail blazing tea companies in areas such as environmental stewardship, community empowerment, innovation and education is represented through a selection of special awards,with winners including the women-owned cooperative Kazi Yetuin Tanzania and Kaley Tea in Sri Lanka for its impressive sustainability initiatives.

The post The Leafies 2024: celebrating excellence at the International Tea Awards appeared first on Tea & Coffee Trade Journal.

With a commitment to delivering the perfect cup of tea, these expertly crafted blends feature quality-sourced and trending ingredient, butterfly pea flower. Each caffeine-free herbal tea offers a vibrant colour and delicious flavour, making every cup a beautiful tea drinking experience.

Bigelow Tea Butterfly Pea Flower Vanilla Midnight

Vanilla Midnight Herbal Tea is a soothing blend of butterfly pea flower, cinnamon, natural vanilla flavours, and other comforting ingredients. This caffeine-free herbal tea is reminiscent of the tranquillity of the quiet hours of the day and offers a dark blue brew and a sweet herbal floral aroma. Perfect for winding down after a long day, each cup provides a smooth, sweet, earthy flavour that elevates one’s mood and creates a serene experience. Take one sip and begin your mindful journey!

Bigelow Tea Butterfly Pea Flower Sapphire Bay

Sapphire Bay Herbal Tea transports the tea drinker to a tropical paradise with its blend of butterfly pea flower, passionflower, pineapple, mango, and other ingredients. This caffeine-free herbal tea brews to a deep purple-blue, exuding fruit aromas and robust, sweet flavours that make every sip a delightful island escape.

“I’m so excited to share our newest blends, Bigelow Butterfly Pea Flower Sapphire Bay and Vanilla Midnight,” said Cindi Bigelow, president and CEO of the family- and woman-owned Bigelow Tea. “These premium herbal teas feature the amazing and magical butterfly pea flower, delicate blossoms carefully sourced from a small woman owned farm in Thailand. I was so fortunate to visit one of these gardens not so long ago. It was so impactful to experience these breath taking gardens first hand and up close. The flower itself is exquisite and naturally vibrant in colour, offering an enchanting experience that’s as beautiful and delicious as it is healthy. This is what I call the ‘power of blue!’ In an exclusive partnership with our friends at Walmart, we have crafted these premium teas to nurture the mind, body, and spirit. It is my hope that tea lovers everywhere will get to experience each captivating and relaxing blend.”

Available exclusively at select Walmart stores and Walmart.com.

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With 100,000 cups of its teas drunk every hour, globally, Traditional Medicinals shares its herbal remedies and teas with two million people a day, providing itself the opportunity to inform, to be transparent, and to raise issue of importance, as well as bringing them each a little bit of nature in every cup.

Traditional Medicinals’ story begins more than 50 years ago, when Drake Sadler who co-founded the company with Rosemary Gladstar, met in the woods of Northern California where they were both living in the late 1960s. Gladstar collected plants and was teaching students and young people about the herbs and formulas that had been passed down through her family.

“Her great grandmother was a herbalist from Armenia [who taught her daughter], [who in turn, taught her daughter]. All this knowledge was passed down, as it always has been, in an oral tradition with women from generation to generation. They were the ‘medicine women’ in their communities and Rosemary was the medicine woman in her community,” explained Sadler, chair of Traditional Medicinals. Gladstar had a small shop and people would come to see her seeking remedies for their ailments.

Meanwhile, Sadler came from a background of social development. He worked for the US government on what was called the War on Poverty, setting up social programmes in poor communities. At this time, Gladstar wanted to further educate the community about herbal education, so she started packaging her herbal formulas and inserting inside information she had written to provide further explanation about the herbs they were using to treat the illnesses. This was the founding purpose of Traditional Medicinals – herbal education – and why the pair decided to launch it as a business.

The second founding principle came as Sadler and Gladstar began to visit the countries and communities from which they were sourcing plants. There they discovered that the herb and spice communities were quite impoverished. “This then triggered the evolution of the company’s second purpose,” said Sadler, “which was to build sustainable communities where these plants came from.”

Traditional Medicinals Throat Coat packaging circa 1980. Image: Traditional Medicinals

When Traditional Medicinals began, it offered nine products, each chosen to meet specific consumer needs and address ailments people had come in for, such as sore throats, problems sleeping, digestive troubles or morning sickness. “But that quickly expanded. I think within the first two or three years we had about 20 products,” commented Sadler. “People were like, why can’t I get this? What about that? So, Rosemary was formulating remedies that people needed. We weren’t trying to come up with the latest flavour or something, it was all about consumer needs.” Now Traditional Medicinals has more than 60 products (teas, lozenges, and capsules), which still change according to consumer needs and the ingredients they are interested in, such as dandelion, raspberry leaf or hibiscus.

These trends and demands also vary by region; Joe Stanziano, newly appointed CEO of Traditional Medicinals (see the announcement in People News) added, “according to industry data, the stress/relaxation segment has the highest regional share in California and has the lowest regional share in the mid-south; whereas the immunity segment has the highest regional share in the mid-south and lower in the northeast [of the US].”

Sustainable from the start

The majority of these products are distributed across the United States, but its market generally covers Central and North America. “The products are in a lot of countries I visit, but we don’t have a strong foreign strategy,” said Sadler. “There’s only so many places we can be and be there successfully […] There’s a limit: there’s a limit to these plants, there’s a limit to our capacity to produce […] We’re not trying to be the biggest, we’re just trying to be the best.” This notion is something integral to the workings of Traditional Medicinals.

Sadler spoke about how both he and Gladstar were interested in Buddhism during the origins of the company, one of the principles of which is ‘right livelihood,’ which he said they have always strived to embody within the company. “The notion of right livelihood is how business, or how people, should conduct themselves when they’re doing business. And the fundamental of right livelihood is to do no harm. So, conducting business in a way that helps people and does no harm, no harm to the environment, does no harm to each other, does no harm to the community.” This is something Sadler said distinguishes Traditional Medicinals from many other businesses.

This ethos also guides the company through purchasing and working with organic and fair-certified suppliers. Traditional Medicinals made a commitment to using quality and efficacious ingredients to deliver tangible health benefits. Its first certified organic products were in the late 70s, and then fair-certified ingredients began in the 90s. “The company has a real commitment to its stakeholders from these supply communities all the way through our trading partners […] We operate from a place of integrity,” said Sadler, and sustainability has always been a part of this, whether it is environmental or social.

When Sadler and Gladstar first started visiting their source communities, they would find children working in fields and not going to school, because their parents needed them to work and often there weren’t schools for them to go to. “So, then the next time that we would come back to those communities, we would bring books; we’d bring books written in the language of that country, school books. And we’d ask, ‘Can we hire a teacher and have children learning in the evenings? Would you give them room to study? We will hire the teacher and bring the books,’” recounted Sadler, explaining how the company’s opportunities for scale of impact have expanded since its founding. “Now we build schools. We have five schools in one remote area of Rajasthan [India], five schools just in this little remote area and there’s 2,000 kids going to school there every day.”

Traditional Medicinals now works in 43 countries through fair certification projects and partnerships. Its community projects in these regions impacts tens of thousands of farmers and collectors and their families, in areas such as health, hygiene, education, economic development, food and water security and women’s empowerment, the latter of which is especially crucial, said Sadler.

Historical Traditional Medicinals packaging. Image: Traditional Medicinals

Since the beginning of humankind, people have been experimenting with plants for food and medicine, for clothing and for shelter. Now in modern times, 50 percent of the world’s medicine contains plants, 80 percent of which are not farmed and must be collected in the wild, Sadler shared. It is in these remote areas that they grow and are collected by indigenous people, the vast proportion of which are women. This is why “we want to work on projects that empower them, raise their voices in the community, educate them better. And make sure that their daughters are going to school.”

While these practices have been embedded in the company since its founding, Sadler noted that there has been a strong increase in demand for sustainable activities from consumers, particularly young consumers who are wanting more information about the products they buy. “Young consumers really want education, they want to know what they’re consuming, they want to know about the ingredients, they want to know where those ingredients come from, they want to know who’s involved in the production of those ingredients, whether they’re farmed or collected, and how they’re manufactured and under what conditions,” he said. “They really demand transparency and this is wonderful. This is the way it should be. We should be knowledgeable about the products that we’re using and under what conditions they’re produced.”

Not business as usual

Integrity, right livelihood or transparency, however Sadler’s Traditional Medicinals’ ethos manifests itself, it is all under the umbrella of sustainability, and safeguarding resources and people’s livelihoods for the future, a pressure that is becoming increasingly urgent, something Sadler feels keenly. “There’s no more business as usual. We’re done with business as usual. I’m fed up with business as usual. I’m fed up with corporate America. I’m fed up with billionaires who are acquiring wealth,” he emphasised.

“That’s not the answer for the future. That’s not how we’re going to survive as a species. It is my belief that business has not only an opportunity, but an obligation to lead in the evolution of business as a platform for social change.”

Sadler said he is now focused on creating a structure of ownership within the company that ensures this purpose “is embedded in the company’s operating system, it’s part of its daily governance. So that it can’t be disrupted,” long after he is no longer there to steer it.

Newly appointed CEO, Stanziano, is taking up this mantle, and explained how he hopes the company will continue to evolve. “Traditional Medicinals has built a strong legacy as a leader in herbal wellness and as a Certified B Corporation, deeply rooted in sustainability and social responsibility. As we look to the future, my vision is for Traditional Medicinals to continue advancing its mission-driven approach, placing people and the planet at the forefront of every decision we make, even as we adapt to the evolving market landscape and changing consumer needs.”

Stanziano said that in the next 20 years, he sees Traditional Medicinals “solidifying our position as a global leader in herbal wellness by broadening our market presence and diversifying our product portfolio. We’ll achieve this through our strategic partnerships and collaborations with local communities and suppliers, ensuring that our sourcing and production practices remain sustainable and transparent.

Our commitment to environmental stewardship is unwavering, and in 2023, we took a significant step by aligning with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), setting ambitious goals to reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 42 percent by 2030 and achieve net zero emissions by 2050,” he said, adding, “looking 50 years ahead, I envision Traditional Medicinals sharing more of its leadership position to inspire – empowering global communities and consumers to embrace the healing power of plants and live in harmony with nature. Our focus will be on innovation, continuous improvement, and expanding our impact, ensuring that we remain a trusted source of wellness for generations to come.”

Over the last 50 years, from its roots as Rosemary Gladstar’s homemade herbal remedies, passed down through generations, and shared with her community, to a far-reaching company, who’s impact stretches even further than it’s teas, Traditional Medicinals has managed to maintain its founding ethos and principles throughout.

This is something that Sadler articulates accordingly, “People think we’re a tea company. We’re actually not. We’re a tea company, but the tea company is actually the means to an end. It’s the work in those supply communities and educating people about herbal medicine, that’s really what we do and the products are the means to an end. They’re what financially support the purpose. It’s not the other way around.”

• Kathryn Brand is an associate editor with T&CTJ, while still writing for several of Bell’s other magazines. She joined Bell Publishing at the beginning of 2022 after graduating from the University of East Anglia with a degree in English Literature and Creative Writing. She may be reached at: kathryn@bellpublishing.com.

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The post-Covid surge in the popularity of functional beverages is ongoing and has significantly bolstered the consumer spend and interest for such products, or rather ‘the wellness economy.’ As this movement has matured, it has, by extension, expanded and brought to the forefront wellness teas specifically catered towards women. This, combined with a growing feeling of disempowerment of women’s health needs, has resulted in a strong market demand in the women’s wellness tea category.
There is an ever growing group of companies that offer women’s wellness tea products, whether they are tea companies that have expanded their product portfolio to meet the demand, or companies which have founded themselves on the premise of supporting women through tea. HotTea Mama falls under the latter. Founded by Bethan Thomas and Kate Achilles, the brand offers consumers a selection of products to support different stages of women’s reproductive life, from menstruation, pregnancy, nursing, and menopause.

Thomas, co-founder and tea scientist at HotTea Mama, explained the premise behind the company’s founding, “It wasn’t until I got pregnant that I realised the majority of the herbal blends that I was creating, weren’t suitable for pregnancy due to many of the ingredients inside. This triggered the idea for HotTea Mama, as my best friend [and I] went through motherhood and suffered with morning sickness, struggles breastfeeding and sleeping… We wanted to make teas that were suitable for this life stage, to be both delicious and supportive. As we grew, our customers started to ask if any herbs or teas could support periods and perimenopause, and I used my tea biochemistry knowledge to create blends for this time of life too.”

Similarly, Poorvi Chordia, founder of Herbs & Kettles, which sells premium single-origin Indian teas, was inspired to create teas for women’s wellness due to personal and professional experience. “As a woman and a frontline physician, I experienced firsthand the importance of self-care and stress management, especially in the face of life’s challenges. Tea played a significant role in keeping me grounded and providing moments of solace during stressful times.”

Wollenhaupt offers a large variety of herbal teas, including a ‘Women’s Power’ blend. Image credit: Wollenhaupt

Meanwhile, Smith Tea recognised its high number of female-identifying customers and wanted to offer a product with health and wellness and “functional nourishment” as a priority, commented Sara Kaufman, product development manager and lead tea maker for Smith Tea’s Empower Mint blend, which was specifically designed with holistic women’s health in mind.

A demand for holistic wellness

Tea companies are noting and building on the idea of women as individual and important consumers with significant purchasing power. “Women’s health is a priority for Traditional Medicinals because we recognise the unique needs and experiences of women throughout their lives. We believe in providing natural and effective support for women’s health concerns, from menstrual health to pregnancy and lactation support,” shared Kristel Corson, chief marketing officer, Traditional Medicinals.

But why is it that women are turning to teas for their health needs in the age of modern medicine? It is part of the growing consensus that the Covid-19 global pandemic inspired, that self care and holistic wellness is something that should be prioritised and sought after in everyday products through functional food and drinks. “During the pandemic, we have learnt that many people have taken more time for themselves again […] People are living more consciously and paying more attention to their health and diet,” noted Michael Görres, head of product development at Wollenhaupt.

Smith Tea’s Kaufman added that “the pandemic highlighted a long-forgotten (or perhaps just overcomplicated) need for finding holistic wellness in our lives. From work-life balance to cleaner eating, the wellbeing economy supports wellness across the board and functional teas sit at the pinnacle of that.” At a time when people felt a need to have some control and agency over their health, a functional beverage market blossomed and remains a strong category even still.

But taking power and control over one’s own health, in the ways that one is able, is something particularly pertinent to women. Thomas explained that “women’s wellness and health has been hugely neglected in society and in medicine for a very long time, which has made women more open to looking at their health holistically.”

Smith Tea’s Empower Mint tea contains four herbs that cover systematic health for women of all ages and demographics. Image credit: Smith Tea

Some medical professionals cite concerns, however, that women are turning to alternative therapies “at the expense of engaging with proven medical approaches, and with conditions such as endometriosis affecting around one in ten women of reproductive age, this kind of marketing can be dangerous,” wrote Dr James Brown, senior lecturer in biology and biomedical sciences, Aston University, in a Guardian article titled “Women: beware teas with a gender agenda.”

However, this perspective overlooks the fact that many women do seek professional medical intervention, but use holistic healthcare, such as herbal teas, alongside it, or as a last resort when doctors are not able to help. “The truth is, that there is a huge medical gap in the UK, and all other countries. Women are often not recognised or heard by their doctors. Especially with conditions like endometriosis, PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) and adenomyosis — these are hard to diagnose and women on average have to wait 7.5 years for a diagnosis. In this time, they are forced to take charge of what they can in their diet and lifestyle to support,” added Thomas.

Studies and traditions

While it is true that women cannot necessarily expect a cure for their female-related ailments through wellness teas, there is a growing portfolio of scientific evidence and studies that show an amount of benefit can be seen from regular consumption. An example of this is an article titled “Herbal Infusions and Women’s Health: A Review of Findings with a Focus on Human Studies on Specific Infusions with Studies on Extracts to Evaluate Mechanisms,” by Gill Jenkins, Christopher John Etheridge and Pamela Mason, from the Journal of Nursing and Women’s Health sourced via Gavin Publishers. The paper demonstrated that German chamomile, rosehip and spearmint are all shown to give women health benefits in human trials. German chamomile was found to improve aspects of sleep in postnatal women, as well as being beneficial for pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS), anxiety, stress, and metabolic control.

Rose hip was associated with improved symptoms of menstrual pain, and spearmint improved hormone control. “These infusions contain a range of phytochemicals, including flavonoids, which help to explain their health outcomes. Most of the human studies indicated that 1-3 cups daily with brewing times of 5-15 minutes provided the health benefit in question,” the study noted.

Raspberry leaf, red clover, ginger and turmeric are also routinely favoured in women’s wellness tea offerings and are among those that have been used as herbal remedies stretching back generations. Companies endeavouring into women’s wellness teas have to choose how to balance verifiable scientific evidence with anecdotal and traditional uses. “We’re careful to only use ingredients that have historical use but are also backed up with research in more recent years. While the research studies are often small scale, we work with a technical agency to review new research regularly and ensure that there is as much evidence as possible to suggest that the majority of women will benefit,” said Thomas.

It is this deeply rooted historical practice that also may also be bolstering the attraction of wellness teas for women, observed Corson. “The appeal of these teas to women may be rooted in their historical connection to nature and traditional herbal practices that have long been passed down through generations of women.”

Chordia also noted that women tend to be more open to “an integrative approach towards health.” She added that “they are also more [receptive to] trying Eastern medicine which has a multitude of health benefits and often functional teas and tinctures play an important role in these alternative approaches. Women more often form communities that empower each other, and that often helps them take charge or ownership of their health and wellbeing than men.”

HotTea Mama offers a range of wellness teas for different stages of women’s reproductive life. Image credits: HotTea Mama

While many companies stress that their wellness teas can benefit both men and women, they are overwhelmingly finding that their consumer base is dominated by women and as such, are marketing their teas with this in mind. However, some view gendering teas as a marketing strategy in itself. Görres explained, “In the herbal tea sector, it can make sense to develop gender-specific teas for the respective needs and with a target-group orientated approach.”

On the whole, people tend to drink herbal teas for their health benefits as well as just their flavour, and since men- and women-identifying individuals often have different wellness needs, especially in relation to reproductive health, it makes sense for teas to be targeted in this way. Corson noted that this must be done with some care; “gendering teas can be a marketing strategy to target specific demographics and highlight the relevance of certain products to their unique needs. However, it’s essential to ensure that gendered marketing does not reinforce stereotypes or exclude potential consumers. Ultimately, the effectiveness of marketing strategies depends on the authenticity of the brand’s message and its ability to resonate with consumers’ values and experiences.”

Market movements

With herbal tea market sales expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.3 percent to USD $7,693.5 million between 2023 to 2033, according to market research company, Future Market Insights, there is no doubt a driver of this is consumers’ search for products to improve their health and play a functional role in their beverage consumption. The trend for customisation is expected to influence this market with consumers wanting tea formulations for their specific health concerns, including women’s wellness. These are also anticipated to grow in the organic and ‘natural’ space as “people are making a conscious decision to drink better quality teas that are organic, directly sourced and fresh, farm to cup,” said Chordia.

While some may consider women’s wellness teas a trend or marketing gimmick, and for some companies that may be true, but there are equally companies that are investing in the research and utilising centuries old traditions of herbal remedies to give women comfort, relief, relaxation, or even just a moment of pause to enjoy a delicious cup of tea. And with the functional market and ‘wellbeing economy’ ever-growing, this category is not expected to go away any time in the foreseeable future.

• Kathryn Brand is an associate editor on T&CTJ, while still writing for several of Bell’s other magazines. She joined Bell Publishing after graduating from the University of East Anglia with a degree in English Literature and Creative Writing. She may be reached at: kathryn@bellpublishing.com.

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Lipids are a diverse collection of natural substances that share the property of being insoluble in water. They include all of the fats and oils that are common constituents of many foods, but they have generally not been examined as significant components of teas.

The Hokkaido team selected four teas for their initial analysis: dokudami (Houttuynia cordata, fish mint), kumazasa (Sasa veitchii), sugina (Equisetum arvense, common horsetail) and yomogi (Artemisia princeps, Japanese mugwort).

“These herbs are native to Japan and have been widely consumed as tea from ancient times due to their medicinal properties,” said Gowda. The medicinal benefits attributed to these and other herbal teas include antioxidant, antiglycation, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, anti-allergic, anticarcinogenic, antithrombotic, vasodilatory, antimutagenic, and anti-aging effects.

The lipids in the teas were separated and identified by combining two modern analytical techniques called high-performance liquid chromatography and linear ion trap-Orbitrap mass spectrometry.

The analysis revealed significant variations in the lipids in the four types of tea, with each type containing some known bioactive lipids. These included a distinct category of lipids called short-chain fatty acid esters of hydroxy fatty acids (SFAHFAs), some of which had never previously been found in plants. SFAHFAs detected in tea could be a novel source of short-chain fatty acids, which are essential metabolites for maintaining gut health.

“The discovery of these novel SFAHFAs opens new avenues for research,” commented Hui, adding that the lipid concentrations found in the teas are at levels that could be expected to have significant nutritional and medical effects in consumers.

The lipids discovered also included α-linolenic acid, already known for its anti-inflammatory properties, and arachidonic acid which has been associated with a variety of health benefits. These two compounds are examples of a range of poly-unsaturated fatty acids found in the teas, a category of lipids that are well-known for their nutritional benefits.

“Our initial study paves the way for further exploration of the role of lipids in herbal teas and their broad implications for human health and nutrition,” Gowda concluded. “We now want to expand our research to characterise the lipids in more than 40 types of herbal tea in the near future.”

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By strict definition, tea is a beverage made by brewing tea leaves in near-boiling water. Whether the tea is black, green, white or oolong, these leaves come from the same plant: Camellia sinensis. Technically, anything not made from this plant should not be called tea.

The history of mixing Camellia sinensis leaves with those from other plants to get new taste and aroma traces its roots to ancient times. Over the years, some additives and alternative plants have started to be consumed independently from Camellia sinensis leaves. This emerging segment is frequently referred to as ‘new teas’, and according to market players, it has a bright future.

The Covid-19 pandemic was certainly good for the herbal tea category, commented Matthew Barry, insight manager, food & beverage research with Euromonitor International, an international think tank.

“Many herbal teas have strong functional positionings that were in demand in 2020, including immune support, anxiety relief, and treatment of Covid symptoms like coughs and sore throats,” Barry said. Growth has been slower since then, but it is notable in itself that the category did not shrink in 2021 the way so many other food and beverage categories did once the pandemic eased, and people’s shopping habits started to return to normal, he added.

In recent years, yerba mate tea, one of the prominent segments of the new teas, enjoyed a strong growth in popularity, commented Amelia Quelas, president of the newly established American Yerba Mate Association (AYMA).

Up until a couple of years ago, the yerba mate business was restricted to those who brought the custom and tradition to consume it from their homelands, specifically South America, including countries like Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Brazil, and the Middle East, and was sold in small markets and delis that catered to those communities, Quelas said.

“Slowly but steadily, a couple of companies started producing yerba mate-based carbonated drinks and entered the market through larger chains of food supply. Also, stars like Lionel Messi and teammates in the soccer world have spoken about their commitment to using yerba mate for stamina, energy and resilience,” Quelas added.

The emergence of new ‘teas’

Other types of new teas are performing similarly well. The moringa tea market, for one, has been growing steadily in the past several years, commented Clarissa Akakpo, CEO of the Accra-based moringa tea manufacturer, Aguma Tea.

“My tea business is primarily in West Africa, and there is a certain level of local knowledge that the moringa leaf is a great source of nutrients and can aid the symptoms of a variety of ailments,” Akakpo said.

In general, there used to be a perception that moringa is a tea to be consumed when sick or dealing with some form of health condition. The pandemic, however, was a game-changer for the moringa tea market.

“With the Covid-19 outbreak at the beginning of 2020, there was an increase of enquiries for moringa tea globally,” Akakpo shared, explaining that customers were looking to strengthen their immune systems and alleviate some of the symptoms. “This developed an increased general knowledge about the benefits of moringa tea,” she said, emphasizing that the impetus started by the pandemic to the moringa sector had not winded down even when the worst period ended.

Occasional reports indicated that purple tea, another type of the new tea segment, also enjoyed a rise in popularity, although it is twice the price of traditional black tea. Companies working in this niche also emphasize the health benefits of their product.

For example, Summer Tea, a prominent Kenyan purple tea manufacturer, lists high antioxidant content, weight management and improved heart health as the key benefits customers can get from consuming purple tea.

Capitalising on health habits

The Covid-19 pandemic undoubtedly boosted the popularity of at least some new teas, but there is more to it than that. As growing numbers of consumers continued to pursue healthier choices, new teas continue to come into the spotlight. Tea continues to benefit from consumers’ focus on health and wellness in a post-Covid-19 world, said Tan Heng Hong, senior food & drink analyst with Mintel, an international consultancy.

Additionally, Hong suggested that brands can deliver stronger messaging, provide more eco-friendly options, and deliver greater transparency to ensure tea’s continued relevance among sustainability-minded consumers.

In the coming years, the new teas market is poised for exceptional growth in sales, largely owing to a low-base effect. “Teas are recognised as having health benefits, and yerba mate, also has many health benefits, but because it was consumed by a much smaller population than traditional teas, it is coming a little late to the party in the US but [has staying power],” Quelas said.

With regard to herbals, Euromonitor’s Barry said there is not one specific factor behind the growth, “there are a number of things. One is simply a restlessness we find among younger consumers across many beverage categories. Younger people are abandoning sodas for waters, lagers for ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails, etc.”

According to Barry, another reason for the rising popularity of herbal tea is the interest in functionality. Herbals have done a really good job of speaking to the functional space with a wide array of targeted products, he said, adding that in his opinion, black tea has not touted its own health benefits enough. “Regular consumption of teas from Camellia sinensis is linked to all sorts of positive health benefits, yet black tea is not really thought of as a health drink.”

Akakpo also said that the moringa tea business is growing, and the demand is increasing with the rise in interest in preventative health and well-being techniques. “I have observed that consumers want to incorporate new natural remedies into their everyday diet, and moringa is one of them,” Akakpo said.

A place on the infinite shelf

New teas offer excellent opportunities for tea companies looking to diversity their product range.

“We have been gradually increasing our range of herbal infusions over the last few years for those looking to avoid caffeine as well as to increase the range of flavour profiles,” said Holly Grinstead, a marketing manager for Edinburgh-based tea company, Rare Tea Co.

“The East-to-West cultural exchange will create demand for more tea varieties and new ways to consume it. Tea can increasingly take inspiration from energy drinks and other energizing beverages as consumers look for more natural sources of energy,” Hong added.

“If you have a market where black tea has been dominant for a long time, it’s not surprising to see millennials and Gen Z instinctively want something else,” Barry explained, adding that there is a lot of room for experimentation because of all the different ingredients you can use, and consumers these days are very interested in trying new and unusual beverages.

He noted that the internet has played a key role in this. “Even the most well-stocked tea retail outlet can only have so many options, but online, you have the ‘infinite shelf’. Tea out-performs in e-commerce compared to other food and beverage categories, and I think the variety available is a key reason.” Barry explained that people only want so many kinds of peanut butter or toothpaste to choose from before it becomes too much, but when it comes to tea and herbal teas specifically, they really do seem to want a massive selection.

Market players also continuously study various options for mixing new teas in different blends.

“Business has been good for us in the value addition space,” commented Sahil Radia, CEO and co-founder of Kenyan tea manufacturer, Bahari Teas, which focuses on purple tea, among other things. “We find there’s a lot of focus on tracing the tea from farm to cup and ensuring the tea is planted and produced at optimum standards. organic, Fair Trade, non-GMO tea are even more important now, but commitment to quality and sustainable packaging is also key,” Radia added.

Social media plays an essential role in the growth of the popularity of new teas. “Some health commentators on social media platforms have shared that moringa forms part of the cuisine in India; for example, in some villages, moringa leaves are put into curries and used as a herb; this was also a common practice in many parts of West Africa where moringa leaves and stems would be used as a vegetable in soups and stews,” said Akakpo. “This conversation has led to different types of enquiries. As a result, I have had requests for whole leaf moringa.”

The product range of new teas, as well as the number of market players working in this field, is likely to keep growing for the time being.

“The yerba mate business is still in its infancy, and one of the targets of the American Yerba Mate Association is to help those companies that are already in the market, those that are interested in selling yerba mate products in the US, and also those that are ready to enter the market such as Matea, a new concept out of Boise, Idaho, which is producing a yerba mate matcha energy drink in different flavours,” Quelas indicated.

In general, analysts remain optimistic about the future of the new teas. Barry, for example, pointed to the fact that a lot of the underlying drivers boosting growth are strong and that there is little reason to believe that there will be a reversal anytime soon.

• Vladislav Vorotnikov is a Batumi, Georgia-based multimedia B2B freelance journalist writing about the tea and coffee industry since 2012.

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Bigelow Tea brings new takes to Black tea and Herbal tea blends with the below new flavours:

Peak Energy Black Tea plus extra L-Theanine and Caffeine

A robust black tea with an earthy balanced aroma; this recipe combines tea leaves with an extra boost of L-theanine and caffeine to help provide sustained energy throughout the day.

L-theanine, a compound naturally found in tea, works with caffeine, studies say, to benefit the brain and mood by supporting sustained clarity and focus. This tea has been blended for a morning or midday pick-me-up minus the jitters that may accompany coffee alone.

Whispering Wildflowers Herbal Tea plus L-Theanine

This caffeine-free herbal tea has been designed to engage multiple senses with its bright purple colour, and a taste blend of lavender, rose, passionflower, and butterfly pea flower that finishes with a hint of sweetness. L-theanine has been added to florals to create a comforting cup of tea that helps reduce stress and encourage relaxation.

L-theanine is thought to promote a calming effect that may boost mood and help to manage stress and anxiety.

Ginger Honey Herbal Tea plus Zinc

Expanding on Bigelow’s Blackberry Citrus plus Zinc herbal tea, is the Ginger Honey Herbal Tea plus Zinc which is a spicy, zesty, ginger forward caffeine free herbal tea with a subtle honey flavour.

Ginger is thought to offer many benefits including support for a healthy digestive system, and in this blend it is combined with zinc, a trace mineral and essential nutrient to supports healing.

“Tea has always been a source of comfort and well-being,” said Cindi Bigelow, president and CEO of family-owned Bigelow Tea. “Knowing this, I am excited to announce the expansion of the Bigelow Tea Signature Line with three new teas that provide not only uncompromising exceptional flavour our consumers have grown to rely on, but also include ingredients and nutrients with functional benefits that help support a healthy lifestyle.”

Bigelow Tea offers over 150 teas. These newly launched teas from the Bigelow Signature line are now available for purchase in US stores and online from the Bigelow Tea company website and other select online retailers. The average suggested SRP is $3.49.

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“Music artists have been using Throat Coat tea for years as part of their voice care, including Dave Matthews,” said Traditional Medicinals chief marketing officer, Kristel Corson. “We found an opportunity to harness this fan base to expand the visibility for our top Throat Coat brand into new occasions. Our ‘Voices are for Using, Not Losing’ campaign celebrates expression and how our Throat Coat brand has championed voices for almost 50 years, with a soothing cup of tea or now lozenges that can be used while on-the-go.”

Traditional Medicinals’ campaign demonstrates how Throat Coat products can be used to support voices, such as at concerts or sports events. As a user of Throat Coat and with a penchant for environmental causes, Dave Matthews and Traditional Medicinals also found alignment advocating for the health of the planet.

Traditional Medicinals’ business is rooted in plants, and it’s a business imperative that the company care for the ecosystems where these plants live and thrive. Traditional Medicinals believes that everything is interconnected, which means supporting the ecosystems, farmers, and collectors who harvest and gather their herbs.

Traditional Maedicinals’ products are certified organic and use non-GMO ingredients and renewable energy, in order to uphold its so called three pillars of sustainability: environmental protection, social equity and economic viability.

Traditional Medicinals’ classic Throat Coat’s original formula launched almost 50 years ago, and since the company has been sourcing their slippery elm bark from Appalachia, where wildcrafters harvest the bark sustainably by hand to protect the trees for future generations.

As part of the REVERB Eco-Village activation, Traditional Medicinals will be donating up to $20,000 to nonprofit Appalachian Sustainable Development (ASD), which works towards building a thriving regional food and agriculture system that creates healthy communities, respects the planet, and cultivates profitable opportunities for Appalachians.

“We’re looking forward to having Traditional Medicinals as our Eco-Village partner on this year’s Dave Matthews Band tour,” said REVERB’s director of projects Lara Seaver. “Their work to support agricultural sustainability practices and the communities where they source aligns perfectly with our mission. This year’s Eco-Village will also include opportunities for fans to learn about electric vehicles, participate in research about sustainable concert travel, register to vote, and connect with The Nature Conservancy.”

The Throat Coat family includes:

• Throat Coat Original: Sweet with a distinct liquorice taste. Organic Throat Coat tea supports mucous membrane health while creating a relaxed, healthy feeling in the throat and respiratory system.
• Throat Coat Lemon Echinacea: Using wild liquorice from Central Asia, this formula blends marshmallow root and liquorice with echinacea.
• Throat Coat Eucalyptus: This tea delivers throat-soothing support and respiratory wellness. Understanding that two of the most common seasonal challenges come paired together, it combines marshmallow root, slippery elm, and liquorice, with eucalyptus.
• Throat Coat Lozenges: These provide on-the-go support when you need to soothe a sore throat or relieve a cough. Available in Eucalyptus Mint, Lemon Echinacea, and Sweet Orange Fennel.

Throat Coat Tea and Lozenges are available at retailers nationwide and online at traditionalmedicinals.com.

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Wellness teas have experienced an ongoing rise since the global Covid-19 pandemic began, and there’s no sign that the trend is ending anytime soon. Thus, it’s a clear opportunity for the tea industry and beverage developers alike, to capitalise on the growth.

In November 2020–amidst the early phase of tea’s newfound popularity during the Covid-19 pandemic–writer/reporter Rebecca Deczynski summed it up at Refinery 29: “Right now, tea culture is at its peak. You’ve likely found yourself scrolling past targeted ads for herbal elixirs or swiping through endless Instagram stories depicting still-steaming mugs. You’ve heard celebrity endorsements for choice brews, and you’ve read about ‘wellness tea’ in magazine roundups devoted to self-care. The stuff is more popular than ever…”

John Lenz, the vice president of sales and president of hospitality at Intelligent Blends in San Diego, California, reported that while coffee is still considered a relatively healthy beverage, tea boasts the most benefits over any other type of beverage. “Wellness teas were already on the rise before the pandemic, but as more people looked for solutions to boost immunity, they found tea,” said Lenz. “Living through a pandemic has made many people realise the importance of immunity-boosting food and beverages.”

High demand for functional beverages

Chicago-based ADM, a leader in nutrition and a partner to the world’s leading consumer brands, regularly looks at consumer trends through its proprietary “Outside Voice” consumer insights platform. The organisation’s recent 2021 research found that 31 per cent of consumers are purchasing more items tailored for their health, and 50 per cent report a preference for foods and beverages that naturally contain beneficial ingredients. ADM also noted that the desire to influence health and wellness through foods and beverages is creating new opportunities for nutrient-dense products with functional health benefits aimed at supporting immune systems, enhancing mood and sustaining energy.

Vince Macciocchi, senior vice president and president of ADM’s Nutrition business unit, and the company’s chief sales and marketing officer, explained, “The global health crisis has changed consumer preferences in new and unexpected ways. We are seeing a heightened demand for foods and beverages that support immune systems, enhance our mood and reduce our environmental impact, driven in part by emerging human tensions. This has provided a unique opportunity for brands to develop disruptive new products that will forever change the way we eat and drink.”

Maria Uspenski, founder and CEO of The Tea Spot – which offers numerous premium teas focused on wellness and functional benefits, shared, “Consumers are seeking natural ways to support wellness, whether it’s strengthening immunity, helping reduce stress, or bringing oneself ‘back into balance’ with a cup of tea. In fact, consumers are seeking all varieties of tea–including traditional teas, functional teas, botanicals, and herbal blends. We expect that premium tea and specialty wellness teas will continue to stay in the forefront of consumers’ minds.”

Clipper Teas launched a functional teas line in 2021 designed to improve moods. Image: Clipper Teas

Shabnam Weber, the president of The Tea and Herbal Association of Canada, a leading authority on all things tea in Canada, representing members from bush to cup, agreed. “The need to take care of one’s well-being, both physical and emotional, remains a strong driver for consumers,” she explained. “Today, 58 per cent of consumers are actively looking for healthy products when they shop, resulting in a 171 per cent increase of functional food and beverages introduced to market in the past ten years. This trend will continue, and it provides the tea community with an opportunity to boost its growth by focusing on tea as a healthy beverage.”

Indeed, consumers are eagerly seeking products that they believe support wellness. For example, Whole Foods Market global buyers and experts recently unveiled their top ten anticipated food trends for 2022, and functional beverages – including teas or beverages made with botanicals – are expected to rise in popularity in the next year.

“Last year, we saw tremendous pandemic-related shifts in grocery buying habits as the world adjusted to spending more time at home,” said Sonya Gafsi Oblisk, chief marketing officer at Whole Foods Market. “As the food industry slowly adjusts to a new normal, we expect to see consumers prioritise food and drink products that deliver additional benefits – like functional sodas and tonics – and products that support their sense of well-being…”

Major brands launch wellness teas

Some of the national and multinational brands that have recently introduced wellness teas in the marketplace include Celestial Seasonings, Twinings, The Tea Spot, Buddha Teas, and other major players.

Boulder, Colorado-based Celestial Seasonings, the specialty tea brand and subsidiary of Hain Celestial Group, launched Tea Well, a line of organic wellness teas that couples daily health benefits with flavour. Tea Well blends include Mood Tonic, Sleep (the first tea with melatonin sold in the United States), Laxative and Gut Health (featuring a blend of prebiotics, probiotics and fibre).

“Beyond the mental health benefits of sipping a warm cup of tea, many consumers choose tea for its health benefits,” said Tim Collins, vice president and general manager at Celestial Seasonings. “We want to make sure we are delivering on this promise with products that go above and beyond in providing the benefits you’d find in your typical cup of tea.”

In addition to the Tea Well line, Celestial Seasonings’ ‘Taste the World of Celestial Seasonings’ ad campaign highlights the feel-good benefits of drinking tea. Video vignettes focus on Celestial Seasonings Green Tea for energy, Vitamin C tea for immune support, and Sleepy time tea to winddown. Through whimsical imagery and narration, the campaign is designed to introduce hot tea as a healthy and flavourful choice.

“This campaign captures the essence of how Celestial Seasonings brings balance and benefits everyday,” said Melinda Goldstein, chief marketing officer at Hain Celestial.

In May 2020, The Tea Spot launched its Flu Fighter wellness tea, a caffeine-free herbal blend that features functional ingredients, including astragalus, honeysuckle, organic liquorice root, orange peel, tangerine peel, dandelion root, mulberry leaf, red root, and organic ginger.

According to The Tea Spot, the ingredients in the Flu Fighter tea were chosen based on a medical report published in Military Medical Research (Volume 7, Article Number 4, February 2020), on the diagnosis and treatment of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), where a combination of herbs and roots were used to support flu-like symptoms.

The Tea Spot’s Uspenski said, “The pain and stress of the current pandemic has pushed The Tea Spot to think outside the box as to how we can help empower people to find and support better overall wellness.”

In October 2021,The Tea Spot reported that their line of women’s teas – called Goddess Women’s Teas – were a best-seller for the company that year, as more consumers discovered premium tea or sought tea for its wellness benefits. The tea line features three 100 per cent organic tea blends that showcase botanicals and herbs to support women’s health throughout different stages of life.

Buddha Teas saw sales of its immune-boosting and lung health teas rise during the pandemic. Image: Buddha Teas.

John Boyd, co-founder of Colorado Springs, Colo.-based Buddha Teas, also noticed that more customers discovered tea during the pandemic. “We saw a huge spike in our herbal teas that boost the immune system. Our pure Elderberry had an astronomical increase in sales, and we attribute that to the amount of elderberry in each tea bag–2,000mg. Everyone seemed to jump on the immunity boosting teas band wagon. Also, our lung health teas – such as Mullein and Eucalyptus – have gained tremendous momentum.”

Boyd shared that Americans have traditionally been coffee drinkers, however people are leaning towards drinking tea. “Society is becoming more health conscious and most people know that green teas are much healthier than coffee, and they still provide the same caffeine kick that people are looking for to start their day,” he said. “Not to mention the fact that some of our caffeinated teas contain an ingredient that totally takes the edge off that jittery feeling while still kicking you into overdrive. Specifically, I’m talking about matcha and L-theanine.”

Twinings, a leading wellbeing drinks brand, also focused on an ad campaign to attract consumers to the healthy tea lifestyle. Its ‘Drink in Life’ campaign showcases the company’s new Superblends collection, demonstrating how these new products help consumers “feel good, live well and enjoy life.”

Twinings’ Superblends line – at the heart of its “Drink in Life” campaign – features four new flavours that are fortified with vitamins and functional additives, and additional flavours are slated for 2022.

Twinings new Superblends wellness line is designed to help consumers ’feel good, live well and enjoy life.’ Image: Twinings North America

“Our ‘Drink in Life’ campaign is rooted in the idea that taking even the smallest step counts when it comes to reaching your wellness goals and contributing to your overall health,” said Mike Currie, vice president of marketing at Twinings North America, based in Clifton, New Jersey.

Currie noted that the wellness segment in tea has been growing for a while, but the pandemic has accelerated the interest in wellbeing and beverages that support this. “Consumers are putting their wellbeing at the forefront and paying close attention to the products that they’re consuming,” he said. “From an overall industry perspective, this directly correlates to the steady increase in wellness tea sales. These consumers are investing in authentic brands that value transparency and put wellbeing within reach with small steps, making them feel optimistic about their purchases.”

Herbal teas are also big in the wellness tea marketplace

When it comes to wellness teas, it’s important to note that herbals teas and herbal blends are among the teas on the rise, in addition to true teas from the Camellia sinensis plant.

On the whole, the herbal beverages market, which includes herbal tea, is experiencing considerable growth, according to a new report from analysts at Vantage Market Research. In fact, the herbal beverages market is expected to reach USD $2.45 billion by 2028, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.1 per cent between 2021 and 2028. Factors like the rising awareness of the advantages of herbal-based beverages – such as replenishing skin from the inside, enhancing health, supporting healthy joints and rejuvenating the body – are facilitating the growth of the market for herbal beverages, according to the research firm. The herbal tea segment, specifically, is anticipated to grow more than 4.6 per cent CAGR over the forecast period.

Northern California-based tea author, educator and tea festival organiser, Babette Donaldson, owner and publisher of T Ching and the founder of the International Tea Sippers Society, noted, “The sense of helplessness and frustration in this time of Covid-19 motivates many to look to ancient healing lore. Many do this to feel that there are ways to take control of one’s own well-being. In the past, some in the tea industry have focused on the ‘tea and health’ message to include only Camellia sinensis. But customers are looking for something more inclusive in their cups. Resources for herbalism are abundant and bridge many cultural divides.”

The next wave of wellness teas?

In a recent World Tea Conference + Expo white paper, Euromonitor International’s senior beverages consultant, Matthew Barry, based in Chicago, Illinois, pointed out that while not a cure, tea can serve as a valuable temporary oasis in a chaotic world. “An opportune area in the US market in the near future will be teas designed for relaxation and mindfulness,” said the senior beverages consultant. “While many beverage categories are eager to address this growing consumer need, tea starts with a considerable advantage. Tea – herbal tea in particular – is already strongly associated with calming effects. Chamomile, for example, has been used as a calming ingredient in tea since the time of the ancient Egyptians, so herbal tea could be said to have been active in the calming functional space for millennia. Consumers hardly need to know this history to be familiar with the idea that chamomile, mint, valerian or other herbs promote a sense of calm – and there is a new wave of teas targeting this space.”

Barry also noted, “Stress and anxiety levels continue to be at an all-time high. Tea can provide moments of quiet and calm amidst the turbulence. The American tea industry needs to prioritise products and blends that address mental health concerns. If done effectively, the mindfulness space will be the most dynamic in the US tea industry for years to come.”

• Aaron Kiel, based in Raleigh, North Carolina, has worked in the tea, coffee and beverage industries for nearly two decades, and he’s the editor of World Tea News. He’s a journalist and writer at heart, but he also wears a public relations “hat” through his PR consultancy, ak PR Group. He can be reached at akiel@akprgroup.com.

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Tea has been enjoying its fair share of popularity since the last several decades – centuries, even – so much so that there are people whose day does not start in the true sense without taking a sip of hot tea. Plus, tea is known as a good antioxidant.

With regard to flavoured tea, the very concept springs from the fact that ‘variety is the spice of life.’ Breaking the monotonous rut is what humankind cares the most about. Tea has come a long way over the last few years in terms of flavours and the way they are being devised and marketed. Starting with fruits, the flavours have made a beeline to flowers, alcohols, and several chemical compounds. For instance, amyl acetate, which gives banana flavour, is distilled from real bananas. The mixture of amyl alcohol and vinegar also gives a banana flavour, but then it won’t be termed as ‘natural. Likewise, strawberry flavour could be devised naturally as well as artificially.

The best part about tea leaves is that most are receptive to flavours. It has been found that green and black tea leaves go well with almost every type of flavour. Dry flavours do well with loose teas, whereas liquid ones work for the teabags.

There are several variants regarding tea flavours as follows:

• Natural extracts: These flavours come from extracts of the essential oils of the blossoms, fruits, leaves, roots, and likewise. The basic function of these extracts is that of contributing to fragrance of teas.
• Natural granules: These granules, as the name suggests, come from natural essence that is spread on tea leaves all through. The mixing happens till blending with leaves happens. Most flavours come from granules comprising blossom, herb, and fruit extracts. Also, herbal infusions come as inclusions, which are solid particles of fruits, herbs, spices, and blossoms mixed with tea leaves on direct basis — when steeped, the right taste is obtained.
• Nature-close flavours: These are the flavours extracted through chemical processes. There is not much difference between natural and nature-close flavours except for the extraction process. Preserving turns out to be simpler as compared to natural processes and cost-effective. It needs to be noted that here the extraction is artificial, not the flavour.
• Artificial flavours: The name is self-explanatory. The flavours are created artificially to make stronger and better blends.

Another variety is that of scented tea. It is obtained from flowers like jasmine. Also, smoked tea is popular, which is processed around cypress or pine wood fires.

Medical benefits of flavoured tea

Tea has many healthy attributes such as being ‘chock full’ of antioxidants, polyphenols, and catechins, but there are also many medical benefits associated with various teas.

Earl Grey tea, for example, is a popular flavour that is formed by blending bergamot oil and tea leaves. The medical benefits include improvement in dental health, reduction of anxiety, helping in digestion, increasing energy levels, and body detox. Elderflower tea, a flavoured tea that is especially popular in Europe, is derived from a cream-coloured flower (elderflower) of the elderberry plant. This tea is a rich source of vitamin A, C and several essential nutrients. Apart from Europe, North America is the other major consumer of elderflower tea. In terms of medical benefits, elderflower tea relieves from fever, cough, headache, and cold. The respiratory disorders like tonsillitis, asthma, laryngitis, and others could also be relieved by drinking elderflower tea.

Though its origins could be traced to China, green tea’s popularity is unmatched across now. Japanese green teas are inclusive of hojicha, genmaicha, tencha, matcha, kabusecha, gyokuro, and sencha. Green tea is available in the form of iced green tea, green tea instant mixes, and green tea bags. The flavours include jasmine, wild berry, cinnamon, vanilla, lemon, and aloe vera. It helps in prevention of loads of ailments like tooth decay, diabetes, cancer, heart disorders by ascertain maintenance of proper blood level and cholesterol all over the body.

The least processed leaves on the part of Camellia sinensis produce white tea. It comprises juvenile buds. The floral-fruity flavour finds its applications in various industries like pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. It does possess anti-microbial properties and acts as an excellent antioxidant.

Those vying for clean label products will sync with detox tea, which is conventional as well as organic. Detox tea, as the name suggests, helps in intestinal detox, liver detox, cardiac detox, and likewise.

Delving into flavoured tea

By type, bubble tea could be categorised as chocolate, fruits and berries, mixed/blend flavours, and honey. It is popular in the Asia Pacific, India, in particular. The latest offerings include fresh ingredients like fresh fruit, organic cream, green tea, and soy milk.

Amongst the instant tea mixes, encapsulated tea is trending in certain regions at the moment. Encapsulation is a technique to protect or entrap fragrance and flavours within a coating material. Encapsulated tea reduces the preparation time for the drink. The flavours available include cranberry, raspberry, mango, and lemonade. These flavours are captured by entrapping them within the tea leaves.

As far as alcoholic tea is concerned, it comes in a wide range of flavours including coconut, mint, peach, cucumber, lime, sweet apricot, mango, and berries.

In a nutshell, flavoured tea will continue to evolve as the taste buds of consumers will ask for more variations and there would be no stoppage to research being conducted therein.

• Divakar Kolhe is a tech blogger, is a seasoned digital marketing professional, having worked for numerous online firms in his distinguished career. He believes in continuous learning, considering that the digital marketing sector’s rapidly evolving nature. His forte is analysing the commercial viability of a new breakthrough.

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The limited-edition blend is an adaptogenic herbal tea with a sweetly spiced scent of fresh-baked gingerbread and warm caramel. According to the Sama founders, the caffeine-free blend will transport you to nostalgic holiday moments like building gingerbread houses and cozy celebrations with loved ones. Packed with adaptogenic botanicals such as ashwagandha to help lower stress, mucuna to fight fatigue, and liquorice for relaxation, this dessert-ready Spiced Caramel Gingerbread tea is crafted to help tea lovers discover balance amidst the stress of the Holiday season and allow for more Peace & Joy.

Sama’s Peace & Joy can be purchased on SamaTea.com for $9.95/carton.

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Beauty Brain

Beauty Brain features notes of sweet kiwi and calming lemon balm, which has potential to reduce stress and anxiety while boosting cognitive function. Other cognition-supporting ingredients include Lion’s Mane mushroom, an adaptogen used in traditional Chinese medicine to support brain health, protect against dementia, and relieve mild symptoms of depression and anxiety; and Ginkgo Biloba, which has also been used for thousands of years in traditional Chinese medicine to treat mental health conditions and fatigue.

This nourishing blend also incorporates botanicals for radiant skin and improved complexion, such as Blue Spirulina, known for its anti-aging and anti-inflammatory effects; White Hibiscus for hydration; Rose Hips, which prevent the breakdown of collagen; and Bamboo Leaf, containing silica, which can help increase collagen production.

Beauty Brain tea is the latest addition to The Republic of Tea’s Beautifying Botanicals collection, which also includes the award-winning Daily Beauty, Beauty Sleep, Clean Beauty, Berry Aloe Iced Tea and Blueberry Lavender Iced Tea, all of which boast healthful botanicals and herbs that aid with collagen production, skin hydration, relaxation, and overall wellness. Currently, Beauty Brain is the only herbal tea on the market specifically formulated to benefit both skin and brain health.

Each tin of Beauty Brain holds 36 round, gluten-free, non-GMO, and vegan unbleached tea bags free of tags, strings or staples. Beauty Brain retails at $13.50 per tin – an incredible value at 37 cents per cup – and can be purchased online at www.republicoftea.com and at fine natural and specialty retailers across the country.

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The line consists of seven unique SKUs that will complement Numi’s core line:

• Immune Boost – featuring echinacea, rosehips and dandelion to jumpstart the immune response and flush toxins from the body.*
• Immune Support – featuring elderberry, elderflower, thyme and Fair Trade Certified ginger to strengthen immune response and support and soothe the respiratory system.*
• De-Stress – featuring soothing spearmint, passionflower and kanna leaf to encourage calm and ease stress.*
• Throat Soother – featuring sage, marshmallow, licorice and Ceylon cinnamon for their anti-inflammatory and moistening properties.*
• Congest Away – featuring congestion-clearing ginger, peppermint and soothing Fair Trade Certified fennel.*
• Dandelion Detox – featuring dandelion root, nestle, milk thistle and burdock root to flush toxins and support liver function.*
• Sweet Slumber – featuring lavender and valerian root for their anti-anxiety and sleep-inducing qualities.*

“Numi’s Stay Healthy Line draws knowledge from herbalists and ancient traditions to create the most effective blends to support common health concerns,” said Reem Hassani, chief brand officer and co-founder of Numi Organic Tea. “In a time of such uncertainty, we were grateful to be able to turn to time-honored herbal remedies to strengthen and soothe the body and mind. In addition to containing pure ingredients, the botanicals featured in the Stay Healthy line are aromatherapeutic and delicious, so you can enjoy soothing flavours while taking care of your body.”

Each flavour delivers powerful benefits in line with current consumer trends: functional foods, immune boosters, adaptogens, sleep aids and respiratory support. All of the blends in Numi’s Stay Healthy Line are organic, ethically sourced, Climate Neutral, and use plant-based compostable wrappers, reflecting Numi’s commitment to making positive impact in the world.

Numi’s Stay Healthy Line will be available on numitea.com and amazon.com starting in March 2021, and nationally at natural and conventional grocers in fall 2021.

*This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

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Family-run tea company Ringtons, along with its supply chain partner Infusion GB, one of the leading herbal tea packing manufacturers in UK, has decided to work with Beau-T-Full Minds after spotting a gap in the herbal tea market.

Beau-T-Full Minds, which launches in April 2021, has set its sights on establishing itself as a clear alternative in the herbal tea category, with five ‘better for you’ herbal teas and four coffees, all focusing on mental wellbeing.

Founders include sales director Charlie Simpson-Daniel, a serial entrepreneur who founded meat snack brand, Kings Elite Snack, which was sold to venture capitalists back in 2018 in a £20m+ transaction; York based Entrepreneur and managing director at Beau-T-Full Minds, Tom Riddolls; former England rugby player James Simpson-Daniel; actor James Phelps, best known for his role in Harry Potter movies where he played one of the Weasley twins; International rugby coach, Ben Ryan who coached Fiji to their first ever Gold Medal at the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics; former technical director at Baxters Soup, Roland Froebel, along with Ringtons and Infusion GB.

The range will launch with flavours such as Wide Awake Herbal Tea; Deep Sleep Herbal Tea; CBD Herbal Tea; Probotic Herbal Tea and Immunity-Herbal Teas plus coffees Manuka Honey; CBD Coffee; Lions Mane Coffee and Probiotic Coffee, all of which include active ingredients and herbal adaptogens to support all-round cognitive health.

Product ingredients include Bluenesse, an exclusive lemon balm extract that improves mood as well as encouraging relaxation; CBD oil, known for reducing stress and anxiety; plus Probiotic ingredients that improve more than just gut health, with the gut and brain connected through a partnership called gut-brain axis. Additionally, Beau-T-Full Minds’ Vitamin D Infused Tea helps improve energy and mood plus boost levels amongst those Vitamin D-deficient.

Tom Riddolls, managing director at Beau-T-Full Minds, said: “We shared our vision for Beau-T-Full Minds after working with Ringtons and Infusion GB as part of the manufacturing supply chain and it soon became very clear they shared our passion and drive for a functional tea which encourages mental wellbeing, even more so during the pandemic and post Covid-19. This shared passion resulted in the agreement to go on an incredible journey together. The brand is 100% plant based plus 1p from every teabag sold will be donated to mental wellbeing charities, our aim to make the world a more beautiful place.”

Charlie Simpson-Daniel, sales director and serial entrepreneur, said: “I have founded a number of brands which launched into major retail. Beau-T-Full Minds, at the beginning of its journey, is hands down the brand most well equipped to add value to its target category. The hot beverage category in major retail is one that is dominated by brand leaders trading across all the major retailers and not necessarily offering retailers and consumers significant points of difference. We intend to do this not just through our unique proposition but by making exclusive supply offers to Tesco’s and Sainsburys on the Beau-T-Full Minds brand. We have chosen to target these retailers specifically out of the big six because we feel they are the most innovative pioneers of new brands and concepts which drive the market forward with new and better propositions. If Cadburys, Walkers Crisps, Brewdog or any other iconic brand were founded in 2021, with absolute certainty the shelf you would see them on first would be a Tesco or Sainsburys shelf. This is why they are our target partners who we would consider it an honour to do business with exclusively in major retail.”

Ringtons and Infusion GB added: “We’re delighted to have teamed up with Charlie, Tom and their entrepreneurial team to develop the Beau-T-Minds functional herbal tea brand. We believe our combined skills covering innovation, production, sales and marketing as well as determination gives us the best opportunity to be successful in this market.”

For more information about Beau-T-Full Minds, visit: www.beautfullminds.com.

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The Specialty Food Association’s sofi Awards have been honouring the best in specialty food since 1972. The two winning teas are part of 148 winning products selected by a national panel of specialty food experts from nearly 2,000 entries across 39 categories. Every eligible entry is carefully assessed by food professionals including chefs, culinary experts, academics, food writers, and category buyers. Products are blind judged on taste, including flavour, appearance, texture and aroma, ingredient quality and innovation. This year, for the first time, sofi judging was held at the prestigious Rutgers Food Innovation Center following strict safety guidelines.

“We are deeply honoured and humbled to receive this coveted distinction for two of our great-tasting teas by the Specialty Food Association,” said Kristina Tucker, minister of Enlightenment and Commerce at The Republic of Tea. “SuperAdapt Burnout Blocker is a lusciously delicious herbal blend with organic ginger and cinnamon combined with the medicinal mushrooms, chaga and cordyceps. Daily Beauty steeps an enchanting violet colour with sweet notes of blueberries and lavender. This herbal blend quickly became a favourite since its introduction in 2019. We are thrilled that these innovative flavour profiles and high-quality teas are being recognised and celebrated.”

The SuperAdapt collection of teas feature adaptogens, a category of healing herbs to help handle stress. The SuperAdapt Burnout Blocker is caffeine-free. Its air-tight tin contains 36 round, unbleached paper tea bags and retails for $13.75.

Beautifying Botanicals Daily Beauty is a collagen-promoting blend of nourishing ingredients including the exotic blue butterfly pea flower, hibiscus, rose hips, bamboo, and schizandra berries. This caffeine-free herbal tea is a beauty ritual, hot or over ice, with blueberries and lavender. It retails for $13.75 per tin.

Both award-winning teas are available at www.RepublicofTea.com as well as natural and specialty retailers across the US.

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Teavana’s new Wellness Craft Iced Teas are available in three flavours:

DEFENSE Orange Cinnamon White Tea

A smooth, citrus-bright white tea blend with hints of orange peel, cinnamon, ginger, blackberry leaf and added vitamin C and “honey-kissed” for sweetness. Teavana’s at-home serving tip: pour this tea in a tall pint glass with crushed ice and add an orange slice garnish for aroma and flair.

BALANCE Watermelon Basil Oolong Tea

A “luminous” oolong tea blend of watermelon flavour and basil leaves plus turmeric ⁠— “honey-kissed” for sweetness. Teavana’s at-home serving tip: mix this tea with ice in a cocktail shaker, shake it up and pour in a glass tumbler – add a watermelon garnish for extra refreshment.

REFRESH Blueberry Mint Herbal Tea

A mint herbal tea blend of blueberry flavour alongside hibiscus and ginger — without any added sugar. Teavana’s at-home serving tip: muddle mint leaves and add to this tea for an extra crisp flavour boost.

Teavana’s new herbal tea sachets are also available in three flavours:

Mandarin Mimosa Herbal Tea

Real mandarin orange peel, mango and papaya flavours are infused with lemongrass in this herbal blend. Teavana’s at-home serving tip: brew this tea iced and add an orange wheel for an added punch of citrus.

Spiced Apple Cider Herbal Tea

Juicy, crisp apple flavour blended with warm cinnamon and clove spices in a “comforting” herbal tea blend that features South African rooibos. Teavana’s at-home serving tip: garnish this tea with cinnamon sticks for extra spice.

Lemon Ginger Bliss Herbal Tea

Ginger and citrus paired with sweet, creamy notes of strawberry. Teavana’s at-home serving tip: brew this tea iced and add a touch of honey for a bit of natural summer sweetness.

The new Wellness Craft Iced Teas join Teavana’s existing Craft Iced Tea and Sparkling Craft Iced Tea lineups and are now available in-store at select retailers including Whole Foods Market for an SRP of $2.39 per 12 fluid ounce bottle. Select flavours are also available at Starbucks stores.

Available wherever you buy groceries and on Amazon for an SRP of $5.99, the herbal teas are the newest flavours to join the lineup of Teavana’s premium tea sachets sold in grocery, first introduced in 2018.

For more information, visit: Teavana.com.

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The ingredients in the new Flu Fighter tea were chosen based on a recent medical report, published in Military Medical Research (Volume 7, Article Number 4, February 2020), on the diagnosis and treatment of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), where a combination of herbs and roots were used to support flu-like symptoms. According to Maria Uspenski, founder and CEO of The Tea Spot and author of Cancer Hates Tea, many of the natural herbs in this sweet, nourishing tea were also used in ancient times to make wellness broths for recovery and building strength.

“The pain and stress of the current pandemic has pushed The Tea Spot to think outside the box as to how we can help empower people to find and support better overall wellness,” said Uspenski.

“The result of our efforts is our aromatic and medicinal Flu Fighter herbal tea, inspired by recent medical research. This supportive tea is intended to be used in combination with social distancing, good personal hygiene, sound diet, ample exercise and rest, while it encourages wellness and facilitates calm amidst the turmoil and uncertainty that’s happening around the world.”

Uspenski added, “The Tea Spot exists to help people empower wellness through tea, and we are continually looking at innovative ways to help our customers and the tea-loving community through ideas and products like the Flu Fighter tea. We also recently donated more than 55,000 specialty tea sachets to first responders, doctors and nurses at eight hospitals and clinics in some of the states most impacted by Covid-19 in the United States, including New York, California and Texas.”

The Tea Spot’s Flu Fighter tea is available online and retails for $25.95 per one-fourth pound bulk (50 servings) or a sample size for $5 (five servings). The Flu Fighter tea blend can be re-infused two to three times per serving.

(Please note, while the Flu Fighter tea is meant to be supportive and maintain wellness, it is not meant to treat, cure or prevent any disease or ailment.)

For more information, visit: theteaspot.com or visit The Tea Spot’s new wholesale website at: wholesale.theteaspot.com.

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The North America Tea Market is expected to register a CAGR of 1-3 percent, during the forecast period (2019 – 2024) due to the increase in popularity of ready-to-drink (RTD) tea and iced tea in United States, according to the Tea Association of the USA.

Why is tea so popular? Tea is a rich source of flavonoids, making it a significantly beneficial delivery system of antioxidants. Given the focus on health and wellness, consumers are looking for flavourful beverages that are all-natural and better for you. Brewed black and green teas provide 150-200 mg of flavonoid antioxidants per serving, which greatly improves one’s ability to protect against oxidative damage to DNA and lipids, per the Tea Association of the USA.

Although these benefits are desired by consumers, tea must deliver a natural yet tantalising taste. One of the top-growing flavours, according to global data, is ginger, which is seen combined with different fruit flavours such as pear, cranberry, raspberry, and peach. According to Julia Pollard, flavourist with Beck Flavors, “Combinations of fruit and botanicals have taken the spotlight in the tea category, for example, Blood Orange Hibiscus, Mixed Berry Elderflower and Lemon Lavender. The hard part is finding flavours that complement each other and balancing it with a specific tea blend.”

From Green Tea to Kombucha

Pollard has seen a decade of change from the green tea craze to what is now considered commonplace, with tea used as an ingredient in bakery, ice cream and even including the popular kombucha. In fact, market researcher Global Newswire, in its report, Global Fermented, revealed that the refrigerated kombucha and the fermented beverage category has grown 31.4 percent year over year.

Fermentation, the natural alternative to artificially carbonated soft drinks, features a unique, slightly acidic taste. It is now also recognized for supporting digestive health by turning food and drinks into powerhouses of beneficial probiotics and friendly bacteria. Kombucha, the current star among fermented soft drinks, is a fermented probiotic tea drink that is becoming increasingly popular where it is marketed as a healthy alternative to carbonated soft drinks. Pollard has spent a lot of time working on kombucha formulations and sees opportunity to really expand kombucha flavours from sweet fruity into more comforting, warm flavours like maple and vanilla.

Deep Blue Tea

Another innovative ingredient that Pollard and her team have been working with is butterfly pea flower tea. This emerging ingredient is brewed as a tea and has a lot of anthocyanins that give it a natural deep blue colour. When an acid like lemon juice is added, it can turn pink or purple. It is classified as an herbal tea, is naturally caffeine free and has a mild refreshing flavour. In the United States, this fun and experimental component is becoming a visually stimulating trend for bartenders and generating buzz on social media. Unfortunately, this ingredient is not GRAS (Generally Recognised as Safe) approved and cannot be sold as a flavour yet but it is available for use in Australia.

• Janie Page is the senior director of marketing for Beck Flavors Inc, a custom flavour house that delivers flavour solutions for the food and beverage industry. Janie has over 18 years of experience in the foodservice, retail and consumer packaged goods industries. With her certification as a Q-Grader by the Coffee Quality Institute, she brings together insights, innovation and technical expertise.

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