Opportunities in rising US tea consumption

Tea is the most popular beverage worldwide after water but only ranks seventh in the United States, presenting a huge opportunity for beverage manufacturers, according to founder and president of World Tea Media George Jage.

Speaking to FoodNavigator-USA at Nutracon in Anaheim, California, Jage said that tea consumption has taken off in North America over the past couple of years, and he envisages organic and functional tea beverages in particular to gain popularity among consumers.

People are also increasingly interested in where their foods and beverages come from, and Jage said that tea presents a great opportunity for beverage makers to tell the stories of the people and places behind its production.