Things really heated up for tea in 2013. It seemed that everywhere you looked, more people were making a new habit out of enjoying one of the world’s oldest drinks. With consumers looking for a versatile beverage that could provide a break from caffeine and help them pursue a healthier lifestyle, tea exploded in popularity in America.
What’s in store for 2014? Well, it’s impossible to know for certain, but you don’t need to have a Ph.D. in tasseography to predict that tea will only continue to surge in popularity.
CBS News picked tea as one of its hottest food trends for 2014 saying that the tea craze in the US is set to get even bigger this year.
One of the biggest indicators that Americans have an unquenchable thirst for tea is Starbucks’ acquisition of Teavana. You should expect to see more tea houses popping up everywhere. Can Starbucks do for tea what it did for coffee? We’ll have to wait and see if their efforts can satisfy a desire for the kind of quality, loose leaf artisanal teas that customers prefer.
If you love drinking tea and want to put your culinary acumen to the the test, cooking with tea might just be for you. NPR and McCormick’s Flavor Forecast point to tea popping up in recipes for appetizers, entrees and desserts. Don’t be surprised if your next outing to your favorite restaurant includes savoring a dish that incorporates your favorite loose leaf tea. If you want to give it a try yourself, there are plenty of recipes online that will help you get started reimagining loose leaf tea as versatile ingredient for your favorite meals.
Another big trend brewing for 2014? Many are predicting this could be the ‘Year of Gin.‘ It could be a great time to brush up on your mixology and discover recipes like this Earl Grey Infused Gin Cocktail. For the overachieving host that really wants to show off at his or her next party, this Earl Grey Martini sounds too good to pass up. For both recipes, we recommend using a high quality loose leaf Earl Grey, like our Earl Grey Special.
Are you as excited as we are to drink up everything that tea has to offer this year? What tea trends do you have on your list for 2014? Share your own predictions in the comments section below!