In the tea category, some of the most unique new innovations are not just offering consumers new flavors, but creating entirely new drinking occasions for tea as well. “Breakfast tea” has been a common tea variety for years, but some tea companies are creating new drinking occasions with products targeted at other specific times of day. Tea Forté Herbal Retreat Teas, for example, are going after the cocktail hour, while the Republic of Tea’s Cuppa Chocolate Teas are designed as dessert drinks.
Tea Forté’s Herbal Retreat products are promoted as “naturally caffeine-free, organic relaxation teas,” but not of the sink-into-a-hot-bath variety. These teas are formulated for cocktail time and feature flavors such as Blueberry Merlot, Cherry Cosmo, Mojito Marmalade and Apricot Amaretto. Likewise, the Republic of Tea’s Chocolate Red Velvet, Strawberry Chocolate and Coconut Cocoa red tea blends take their cues from cakes and other sweets and are positioned as dessert teas.