Speciality Food Magazine - April 2026

spas around the world – and the potential for tea to be used by way of a supplement – have created a ritual for their teas which involve a five- minute meditation. Adding wellness rituals into consumers’ routines is big business in 2026, and one which fine food retailers can cash in on by inspiring their customers to invest in the lifestyle around great tea. Glass teapots, attractive infusers and ceramics can not only make the world of wellness teas ever-more tempting to shoppers but create away for retailers to increase basket spend. Don’t be fooled into packing flowers and Millenial pink into your functional tea displays, though; 40% of Camellia’s Tea House’s customers are male, says Ajit. Matcha’s having amoment While matcha may boast a storied history in its native Asia, today’s shoppers are seeking a side of innovation with their ceremony – and social media is at the heart of its growth inWestern society. “Matcha lattes in particular have dominated our social feeds for the last 12 to 18 months, with the aesthetic green drink going from a niche health trend to a pop culture icon,” begins Joyce Maina, head of tea at Bird &Blend Tea Co. Whether its social media-driven audience are attracted to the ancient wisdom and ceremony at the core of traditional matcha or an attractive, trending beverage Stock Check 26 We’re a tea-drinking nation, but we pay less for our tea than any other country. Education is needed around great tea, and fine food retailers are in a strong position to support the industry by telling their customers how to prepare their tea to enjoy it at its best, as well as promote the stories of incredible growers. The easiest way you can convert people is to brew them a cup of green tea at 100C and brew them one at 70C and the difference is mind blowing. There are a surprising number of people producing tea in the UK, and many of these are incredible trailblazers such as Dartmoor Tea Estate in Devon, and the team behind Tea Gardens of Scotland, which is a collection of producers growing tea in their walled gardens. Peterston Tea in Wales creates award- winning tea, and the founder Lucy George also makes her own kombucha and grows yuzu... These people are real trailblazers and their tea deserves to be treated with respect. EXPERT VIEW Carri Hecks, tea specialist at UKTeaAcademy Trailblazers inTea “There’s a surprising number of people producing tea in the UK – they are trailblazers and their tea should be treated with respect” for social media content, matcha’s health benefits ring true. “Matcha is a nutrient-dense, high-grade Japanese green tea powder packed with antioxidants, caffeine and amino acids,” explains Joyce. “It provides sustained energy (comparable to a double espresso) without jitters or crashes, while boosting metabolism, improving cognitive function, and being anti- inflammatory. It is a superfood, which consumers are increasingly conscious of in today’s climate.” The slow-release caffeine and antioxidant hit, paired with its 43 versatility in lattes make it a compelling coffee alternative, she continues. Many of the products feeding the growing demand “have a very low percentage of matcha and are bulked out with sugar and milk powder, however, the majority of matcha consumers are still after authentic matcha with clear provenance and great total experience. “Consumers who want good quality matcha should always source ceremonial grade matcha from Japan and be conscious of what other ingredients brands are adding,” she advises. Moicha Ceremonial Matcha An award-winning premium Japanese matcha, sourced from Uji. Foams up brilliantly, and delivers a clean, balanced umami flavour. moicha.com Brew Tea Co English Breakfast A classic tea, with a rich, malty flavour and the unmistakeable taste of whole, rolled Indian Assam and Ceylon tea leaves. brewteacompany.co.uk Two Spoons Tea Bucks Blend Tea leaves from Kenya and Assam mingle with the ‘Champagne of teas’, Darjeeling, in this blend. The tea pillows are biodegradable and sold in plastic-free, commercially compostable pouches. twospoons.co.uk Ahmad Tea Evening Tea – Decaffeinated This is a soothing blend of black teas, enhanced with Ahmad’s signature bergamot flavour by its tea masters. Wonderful for winding down as the night draws in. ahmadtea.com Jinger Teas Mint & Ginger A cooling mint tea, blended with spicy organic ginger, naturally dehydrated for freshness. The tea is packaged in biodegradable pyramid tea bags. jingerteas.com Good & Proper White Peony A delicate, pale gold infusion with notes of honey and melon. goodandpropertea.com Williamson Tea Happiness Within the keepsake tin (ideal for gifting), is the brand’s uplifting English breakfast tea, picked in the morning on the slopes of Kapchorwa. Pesticide free and naturally grown. williamsonfineteas.com Dragonfly Tea Swirling Mist Plastic-free, individually sealed string and tag sachets, filled with authentic Bai Mudan white tea from the Fujian province. Mellow and lightly nutty. dragonflytea.com Owl & Monkey Pink Tea with Rose and Vanilla Naturally perfectly pink tea, infused with natural rose oil, English rose petals and pure vanilla extract. Subtly sweet, with a delicate aroma. owlandmonkeytea.com Blendsmiths Masala Chai Latte A rich and traditionally spiced, caffeine-free Masala Chai made with real ground spices and sweetened with coconut sugar. blendsmiths.com