2026
10
A Year of Innovation in Tea, Malt and Other Hot Drinks 2026
2026-04-15T12:00:58+00:00
REPE81994F1_5990_402E_9994_F15990202E1E
2195
192645
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Brands are responding to consumer needs for convenience, novelty and wellness, driving growth through formats, functional teas and eco-friendly packaging. Anis Pauzi, Associate Analyst (Innovation)…
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Tea and Other Hot Drinks
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A Year of Innovation in Tea, Malt and Other Hot Drinks 2026

Brands are responding to consumer needs for convenience, novelty and wellness, driving growth through formats, functional teas and eco-friendly packaging.

Trusted by leading global brands

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Source: G2.com, Inc.
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    • What we’ve seen
    • Our pick of the most innovative launches in this review
    • Other innovative launches
    • Global spotlight: RTD tea gains share as hot tea activity slows
    • Graph 1: tea, RTD tea, malt and other hot drink launches, by sub-category, 2021-26
  1. EUROPE, MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA (EMEA)

    • Europe: tea launch activity gradually shifts to instant formats
    • Convenience drives consumer choice in tea
    • Instant tea formats gain share
    • Graph 2: tea launches, by format type, 2021-26
    • RTD and instant teas focus on functional benefits
    • Brand renovation/innovation: DirTea launches a range of functional iced teas
    • Europe: tea launches jump on the matcha trend
    • Matcha gains interest in Europe
    • Matcha makes its mark in the tea category
    • Graph 3: matcha tea launches, 2021-26
    • Flavour pairings broaden matcha’s appeal
    • The Middle East & Africa (MEA)
    • Brands are replacing sugar with herbs and sweeteners in RTD teas
  2. ASIA PACIFIC (APAC)

    • Asia: jasmine tea launch activity rises on its freshness appeal
    • Jasmine notes signal freshness in tea
    • Tea brands are gradually embracing jasmine flavour
    • Graph 4: tea and RTD tea launches with jasmine flavour component, 2021-26
    • Sweet jasmine notes balance tea’s flavour profile
    • Asia: energy claims rise in tea and RTD tea launches
    • Tea emerges as an alternative energy booster
    • Brands are amplifying energy claims in tea launches
    • Brands expand energising teas into convenient formats
    • Australia & New Zealand
    • Vitamins and minerals are driving fortification in tea and malt drinks
  3. THE AMERICAS

    • North America: biodegradable tea bags rise amid microplastic concerns
    • Microplastic concerns spread across the tea category
    • Biodegradable tea bags drive launch activity
    • Graph 5: tea bag format launches with biodegradable claims, 2021-26
    • Tea bag launches highlight biodegradability
    • North America: brands introduce yerba mate for an energy boost
    • Consumers turn to tea for mental clarity
    • Yerba mate tea launches see an uptick
    • Graph 6: tea and RTD tea launches with yerba mate as an ingredient, 2021-26
    • Yerba mate launches deliver caffeine levels comparable to coffee
    • Brand renovation/innovation: Birdie launches yerba mate-infused sparkling teas
    • Latin America: brands increase launches with antioxidant claims
    • Consumers seek anti-inflammatory benefits in drinks
    • Graph 7: tea, RTD tea, malt and other hot drink launches with antioxidant claims, 2021-26
    • Brands highlight antioxidant-rich ingredients
Download Report Summary

"Brands are responding to consumer needs for convenience, novelty and wellness, driving growth through formats, functional teas and eco-friendly packaging."

Anis Pauzi, Associate Analyst (Innovation)

Anis Pauzi, Associate Analyst (Innovation)

Explore the latest innovation in tea in 2026 with Mintel’s global innovation report. The report identifies the major launch activities, pivotal consumer attitudes and most important product development of the year across the globe.

Key innovation trends in the tea and malt drinks market are analysed and succinctly presented alongside Mintel’s consumer data and insights. So you can understand changing consumer demands and identify future growth opportunities.

This report also presents Mintel’s analysts’ pick of the most innovative launches in the global tea market. Understanding innovation in tea, malt and other hot drinks has never been so simple.

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