Speciality Food Magazine - April 2026

different ways to boost their health. “Over the past fewyears, the UK’s functional tea market has seen considerable growth, fuelled by increasing consumer interest in health andwellness,”, agrees Anish Patel, co-founder of NutraTea. “UK consumers are no longer drinking tea solely for comfort or as part of a social occasion – they’re choosing blends with a purpose and incorporating them into their daily routines.Whether it’s to increase sleep, hormonal support, gut health or immune boosting, functional teas have become an accessible way to support wellbeing, elevating brands like Nutratea from the health-food aisle into an everyday purpose- driven product.” While health-driven teas are growing in popularity across the board, there is a vast chasm between the quality of the teas produced to benefit say, sleep or digestion, present in the mainstreammarket and those produced by experts in the fine foodworld. “Amajor difference between these teas is the science that’s gone into them,” begins Ajit Madan, co-founder of Camellia’s Tea House. “Many brands are aware that lavender and camomile are good for relaxation, and therefore chop them up finely and put them into teabags being sold as beneficial for sleep, but there’s rarely any science being done on the optimum levels for each and now they interact with each other.” B ritain has long had a reputation for loving a cuppa, but the tide is turning away from classic black teas to those offering a taste of something new – with a focus on wellness, quality and trust. A question of health From the fine teaworld to the mainstream tea market, functionality has moved from the periphery to the core as consumers seek out refreshingly Far from being the preserve of the consumers who shopped at the health food shops, functional teas have broad appeal in 2026. “Today’s functional tea shopper is wellness- aware, ingredient-savvy and looking for natural solutions that fit into and complement their lives,” says Anish. “Our teas are popular among health-conscious consumers seeking authentic, natural ways to support theirwellbeing. Millennials and Gen Z are avid fans who are actively seeking targeted support to boost energy or manage stress, but equally, older adults interested in supporting preventative health needs are big believers in the power of functional blends, like Nutratea, too. The appeal lies in the perceived benefits, such as aiding sleep, digestion, or mental clarity, as well as the convenience of incorporating wellness easily and affordably into daily routines.” The functional tea market offers a healthy benefit for independent retail. “For fine food retailers, the functional tea market presents 42 Time for Tea Consumers are seeking better when it comes to tea, with health, rituals and sustainability playing vital roles SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES ARE FUNDAMENTAL TO THE FUTURE OF TEA, SAYS ZAHRA AFSHAR, HEAD OF LEGAL, HUMAN RIGHTS AND SUSTAINABILITY AT AHMAD TEA Tea is highly sensitive to climate conditions, and rising temperatures, irregular rainfall and prolonged drought are already affecting yields and quality in major producing regions. If tea gardens cannot adapt, long-term supply and quality are at risk. Climate resilience is therefore not only an environmental issue, but a commercial and cultural one. Protecting tea means investing not only in ecosystems and research, but in the livelihoods, dignity and long-term security of the tea-growing communities who sustain the craft of tea itself. As climate change creates greater uncertainty for tea growers and pickers, supporting these communities is essential to ensuring the industry can continue to thrive in a changing climate. Communicating sustainability therefore means showing how responsible sourcing, investment in climate resilience, and paying fairer wages for the people who pick our tea, all work together to protect the craft of tea and the integrity of the final cup. Rather than broad claims, the focus should always be on credible, specific actions that connect what happens in tea gardens with the quality consumers experience. INDUSTRY INSIGHT an opportunity to diversify their product range with premium, health-focused options,” says Anish. “Stocking brands like NutraTea allows retailers to cater to evolving consumer preferences and tap into the growing trend forwellness products. It allows retailers to position their stores as destinations for high- quality, innovative goods that blend flavourwith function. It also offers strong storytelling on shelf and clear benefit-led merchandising, meaning retailers can tap into the wellness trend in away that feels elevated, indulgent and commercially smart.” The Millenial generation is particularly passionate about self-care, says Ajit, especially when it comes to ritual and supplementation. Camellia’s Tea House has invested into the science and is proud to present their products in dosage terms for optimum effect, and inspired by their connections with premium 178.16% In 2025 exports of Japanese green tea to the UK surged 178.16% YOY in volume, with a 403.90% increase in value. Annual growth of 70% signals a powerful shift in consumer behaviour The Japan Food Product Overseas Promotion Centre CONTRIBUTORS ANISH PATEL NUTRATEA JOYCE MAINA BIRD & BLEND CARRI HECKS UK TEA ACADEMY AJITMADAN CAMELLIA’S TEA HOUSE ZAHRA AFSHAR AHMAD TEA