Explore the latest global tea and hot drink innovations across the market in 2024. Our global trends market report identifies the biggest launch activities, pivotal consumer attitudes and important advances of the year across regions like EMEA, APAC, and the Americas.
Tea and Hot Drinks Innovation  – EMEA
Green tea brands are increasingly specifying the type of green tea used to appeal to a more discerning consumer. Meanwhile, European tea drinkers are keen to broaden their tea horizons with more innovative tea flavours.
- 87% of of tea consumers in Spain say they enjoy experimenting with other tea flavours.
Tea Market Innovation  – APAC
Tea brands in the APAC market are addressing consumers’ need for quick and convenient tea drinks, such as using tea bags. Ready to drink (RTD) tea brands are addressing consumers’ sugar concerns.
- 45% of adults in China have made tea using tea bags several times a week or more in the last six months.
Tea and Hot Drinks Innovation – Americas
Innovation in tea in the United States is focused around meeting consumers’ needs for functional benefits. Ethical claims continue to grab a bigger share of launch activity, especially around sourcing and supporting charities.
- 28% of tea consumers in the US are likely to look at a tea product if it has functional claims.
To discover more about the global tea and hot drinks market, read The Future of Tea 2024, or take a look at our extensive Tea Market Research.
Expert Analysis from an Innovation Specialist
This report, written by Mikolaj Kaczorowski, a leading innovation analyst, delivers in-depth commentary and analysis to highlight innovations in the global tea market and add expert context to the numbers.
Tea brands continue to focus on consumers’ health needs, while ethical production, flavours and convenient formats continue to drive innovation.
Mikolaj Kaczorowski
Innovation Analyst
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- What we have seen
- Our pick of the most innovative launches in this review
- Other innovative launches
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EUROPE, MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA (EMEA)
- Europe: brands are expanding their green tea offerings
- Consumers are keen to explore the variety of green teas on offer
- Matcha and sencha teas are making inroads into green tea launches in Europe
- Graph 1: launches of tea with green tea as an ingredient, by share of ingredient, 2019-24
- Green tea brands are tapping into consumer interest in more exotic green tea varieties
- Europe: tea brands drum up excitement with flavour innovation
- Consumers are keen to see new flavours from their favourite tea brands
- Lemon and ginger feature prominently in tea launches
- Brands put a fresh twist on tea flavours
- The Middle East & Africa (MEA)
- Tea brands highlight functional benefits
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Asia Pacific (APAC)
- Asia: RTD tea brands strive to reduce sugar content
- Many consumers in Asia deem sugar an unwelcome ingredient in RTD tea
- Sugar-free claims grow in RTD tea launches in Asia
- Graph 2: RTD (iced) tea launches, by share of sugar claims, 2019-24
- RTD tea brands flag up sugar-free recipes
- Asia: tea brands are responding to the convenience needs of time-pressed consumers
- Consumers are looking for shortcuts to making their favourite brew
- Loose tea launches are steadily declining in favour of more convenient formats
- Graph 3: tea launches, by share of format, 2019-24
- Quick-to-prepare formats cater to the health, dietary and convenience needs of consumers
- Australia & New Zealand
- Tea brands are doubling down on removing nasties
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the americas
- North America: functionality remains a key theme in tea innovation
- Consumers turn to tea for its functional benefits
- Antioxidant claims lead functional tea and malt and other hot drink launches
- Graph 4: tea, RTD tea and malt & other hot drink launches, by top five functional claims, 2023-24
- Tea brands highlight functional benefits
- North America: tea brands are responding to ethical concerns
- Consumers care about how their tea is grown and processed
- Brands are responding to consumer demand for ethical tea
- Graph 5: tea launches, by share of select claims, 2019-24
- Brands are sourcing ingredients from sustainable and fair trade farms
- Latin America
- Consumers are keen to get a better night’s sleep
- Chamomile and lemongrass feature in tea launches that aid stress relief and sleep
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.
For a more detailed look at a Year of Innovation report, take a look at a sample PDF report below.
Please Note: All of the figures, graphs, and tables have been redacted.
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