Minna launches fourth flavour of sparkling tea
US sparkling tea brand, Minna, “the tea that pops,” has announced the launch of its newest flavour, Cherry Cacao Green Tea.
Founded in 2019 by Ryan Fortwendel, a former executive of e-commerce at Marc Jacobs and passionate volunteer and philanthropist, Minna was created after Fortwendel noticed that popular sparkling water flavours often fell flat. After visiting a local cafe that served hot brewed tea poured over ice and topped with sparkling water, he reportedly had a eureka moment, to make what he would call “lightly brewed sparkling tea” more readily available in the market.
Continuing to build Minna’s reputation as a “better for you” sparkling beverage, Cherry Cacao Green Tea is unsweetened, with no sugars or added sweeteners, using only organic, non-GMO ingredients, and Fair Trade tea. Minna’s newest flavour features green tea that is balanced to ensure smoothness without the tannin aftertaste, as well as notes of cherry and hibiscus on the front and cacao on the back note, giving a chocolate “nod” at the end.
Minna says it is redefining what it means to give back, with a social mission to include everyone (Minna means “everyone” in Japanese). The brand donates 1% of sales to nonprofit organisations that advocate for inclusion. “As we continue to develop the brand and launch new flavours, we are focused on supporting those advocating for equality,” said Fortwendel. Starting with the introduction of this new flavour, all of Minna’s sparkling teas will be produced using only Fair Trade teas. “In our first year, we constantly analysed our processes of how we could do things better. With a social mission of equality, we need to make sure that we are supporting the source as well. The farmers. We want our consumers to know from start to finish, we are doing our part to be a better beverage brand.”
For the month of June, 1% of all Minna sales will be donated to the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund. “As a gay founded brand, we support the LGBTQIA+ community year-round not just in June, said Fortwendel. “In this moment, we feel it’s important to amplify the voices and stand in solidarity with the Black community during this revolution.”
Cherry Cacao Green Tea is available at drinkminna.com ($28/12pk and $25/12pack with monthly subscriptions), as well as on Amazon. Tropical Green Tea, Citrus Black Tea, and Lime Hibiscus Tea flavours are also available online and at finer retailers throughout New York, New Jersey, Chicago, Los Angeles, and select tri-state Whole Foods Market stores (NE, SE, and Rocky Mountain Whole Foods Market Regions).
