Top 5 Tea & Coffee Drink Trends For 2024

1/ Bubble Tea

Bubble tea has been having its moment for quite some time now; what seemed like a craze looks set remain a favourite 2024. Despite being invented in the 1980s, the demand for bubble tea is going global with its market expected to grow rapidly. The refreshing Taiwanese tea-based drink features tapioca or fruit jelly bubbles. It appeals to health-conscious individuals enjoying the healthier variants low in sugar, with organic soya milk, green tea, or fruity mixes, as well as the younger generation seduced by its 200 or so different flavour combinations and even more customisable options making for truly unique, tasty and fun drink.

(Image by @lisanto_ on Unsplash: https://unsplash.com/photos/person-holding-clear-plastic-cup-with-brown-liquid-aFnrGfAvdVU)

2/ Salt Coffee

Coffee is back in a BIG way for 24, not that it really went anywhere but the reality is that you can’t ignore the TikTok hype especially adding a tiny amount of salt to your morning brew. The salt takes away the bitterness of coffee that many find off putting and adds a subtle and next-to-no-calorie sweetness.

3/ Spiked / Hard Coffee & Tea

Low and non-alcoholic drinks are all the rage and it’s a space to keep a watchful eye on. From premium mocktails by leading spirit brands we’re now seeing the beginnings of a boom in hard coffees and kombucha. Consumers are literally going to be spoilt for choice as the space grows. Whether you want something with less sugar and alcohol, or want a slight ‘kick’ rather than a traditional non-alcoholic drink there will soon be something to suite every taste, especially with a recent launch by a significant US food chain – who launched a range featuring both hard teas and coffee flavours, including Spiked Mango Pineapple Iced Tea, Spiked Strawberry Dragon Fruit Iced Tea, Spiked Caramel Iced Coffee and Spiked Mocha Iced Coffee.

4/ Hydration Hacking

With significant sections of society experiencing signs of dehydration, health-conscious consumers are resorting to exciting new hydration hacks, aimed showcasing just how important it is for your body to function properly all the while avoiding reaching for a can or bottle of something sugary and sweet. We all know that drinking water has numerous health benefits, including increased energy and immune system. It’s recommended we drink at least 2.5 litres of water a day, however, lots of us just don’t find it easy to drink that much, which is where Hydration Hacking comes and one of the easiest is hitting the herbal tea. They’re a great way to stay hydrated when you don’t feel like water, or you want something warm. Herbal teas are great as they don’t dehydrate you like green and black teas can and the added benefit is there’s little or no caffeine and they’re full of flavour so you can enjoy a nice cuppa hot or cold and hydrate yourself at the same time.

5/ Tea Cocktails

Favoured teas are emerging as a major thing in the world of cocktails and the possibilities are limitless! With the arrival of a huge array of flavoured teas, it was really only a matter of time before these infusions make their way into our cocktail menus.

Flavoured teas add a big flavour hit without the sugar hit, they nicely fit the low-calorie cocktail bill with a big flavour. The humble cup of tea never tasted so good! As well as being totally versatile bag is super versatile it offers bartenders unlimited possibilities too from a flavour perspective, bringing a wide range of flavour profiles to the party with smoke, spice, fruit and herbaceous notes just waiting to be explored and developed into the next big thing.

(Image by @foodbymars on Unsplash: https://unsplash.com/photos/glass-full-of-green-tea-3j2MJ3eOLcs)