Tea is becoming über trendy in the U.S., even nibbling out a bit of coffee’s market share. But is the growing popularity of tea, and particularly green tea, a passing fad or the beginning of a real shift in America’s taste?
With tea lounges suddenly popping up everywhere and grocery aisles bulging with loose teas of every variety, it’s disheartening to think Americans might soon lose interest and move on. After all, we are a nation of coffee-drinkers with a short attention span, right?
As it turns out, the interest in tea is not as new as it appears. Tea purchases in the U.S. have been rising for 20 consecutive years, and Department of Agriculture statistics show an increase in tea drinking while coffee drinking has declined. Consumers have actually been moving quietly toward tea for several years, discovering the taste, the experience and the health benefits.
Among the many reasons for tea’s upward trend is scientific studies. Over 5,000 studies have produced a growing body of evidence supporting the health benefits of drinking all types of tea (made from camellia sinensis). Many suggest that tea is valuable in the prevention of conditions such as:
• Cardiovascular Disease
• Hypertension
• Cholesterol
• Diabetes
• Weight Gain
• Osteoporosis
• Cancer
So unlike the grapefruit diet or big hair, tea is definitely here to stay- and you can bet your fanny pack on that.
Learn more about the Health Benefits of Tea
Photo by Martin Phox- cc license 2.0
