When it comes to tea, the more “colorful” the better. Green, black, white and red teas remain popular varietals, while numerous flavor options, health benefits and positionings have helped to propel the category even further, according to experts.
Last year, sales of tea and ready-to-drink (RTD) tea increased 5.1 percent, reaching $4.3 billion in food, drug, convenience stores and mass merchandisers, excluding Walmart, according to Mintel’s July 2011 “Tea and RTD Teas – U.S.” report. Canned and bottled tea as well as refrigerated RTD tea drove growth in the category, the Chicago-based market research firm reported.