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
2600
192645
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Report
en_GB
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)…
Global
Tea and Other Hot Drinks
simple

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."

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.

Collapse All
    • 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

What is 'A Year of Innovation' Report?

To truly understand a market, it’s essential to look at the products that are shaping it. Our ‘A Year of Innovation’ reports provide a detailed review of specific categories, focusing on the most notable product launches from the past 12 months. These reports are designed to give you a clear and comprehensive picture of recent innovation and its impact.

How We Analyse a Year of Innovation

By deconstructing the past year’s activity, we can provide valuable context for your current and future strategies. Here’s how we do it.

A Deep Dive into Product Launches

The core of these reports is a thorough examination of new products. We go beyond simply listing what’s new. Our analysis delves into the “why” behind each product launch, exploring the strategies, ingredients, and marketing claims that are driving innovation. This helps you understand what’s working, what’s not, and where the market is headed.

Powered by the Global New Products Database (GNPD)

Our insights are built on a foundation of robust data from Mintel’s Global New Products Database (GNPD). This powerful tool tracks and catalogues new product launches from around the world. By leveraging the GNPD, we offer a complete exploration of innovative activity within your category, ensuring our analysis is comprehensive, accurate, and relevant.

Uncovering Trends and Consumer Shifts

Our ‘A Year of Innovation’ reports are designed to equip you with actionable insights into how to lead innovation in your category. By studying recent product launches, we can identify shifting consumer habits and preferences. These reports help you connect the dots between what consumers want and how companies are responding. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of emerging trends, allowing you to refine your own product development and marketing strategies with confidence.

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