# Upscale Tea A need for public consumption has resulted in upscale tea-drinking experiences. By [Vasiliki Marapas](https://www.trendhunter.com/Vasiliki.Marapas), Research Advisor & Writer | Published Apr 27, 2015 | Category: [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/lifestyle-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/upscale-tea ## Key Figures - Trend score: 5.5/10 - Evidence articles: 8 ## What is the Upscale Tea trend? **Upscale Tea:** Tea is a beverage closely associated with at-home relaxation, but as tea culture becomes more popular, consumers are more likely to want to enjoy the beverage in a public space with like-minded enthusiasts. To satiate this desire, there has been a rise in gourmet tea houses and luxurious out-of-home experiences, signaling that the beverage is evolving into an upscale indulgence. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 8 featured examples - Articles from: Sep 22, 2014 to Jan 16, 2017 - Published: Apr 27, 2015 - Patterns: [Divergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/divergence), [Redirection](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/redirection) - Megatrends: [Instant Entrepreneurship](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/instant-entrepreneurship), [Experience](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/experience), [Catalyzation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/catalyzation) ## Audience - Gender: 30% men, 70% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia ## Themes within the Upscale Tea trend ### Upscale Tea Culture A rising need for tea culture in public spaces has resulted in the rise of gourmet tea houses and luxurious out-of-home experiences, providing an opportunity for companies to expand the quality and variety of tea offerings. ### Tea Tours and Sampling Campaigns Brand promotion through tea tours and sampling campaigns serves as a successful opportunity to increase business growth and broaden their consumer base. ### Innovation in Tea Production and Brewing Techniques Ongoing innovation in tea production and brewing techniques provides an opportunity for companies to utilize advanced technology in order to create unique and high-quality tea products. ## What the Upscale Tea trend means for industry ### For Hospitality and Tourism Upscale tea culture and transformative tea bars provide an opportunity for hospitality and tourism professionals to tap into a growing trend of luxury tea experiences and attract tea enthusiasts. ### For Food and Beverage Innovation in tea production and brewing techniques enable businesses to differentiate themselves by providing unique tea products and improving the tea drinking experience. ### For Marketing and Advertising Tea tours, sampling campaigns and luxurious out-of-home experiences provide an opportunity for businesses to create unique and engaging tea-centric advertising campaigns. ## Workshop question What kind of elevated experience should your brand deliver for your clients? ## Trend signals for Upscale Tea Trend score 5.5 out of 10, from popularity 78%, activity 79%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 78% - Activity: 79% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Upscale Tea trend 8 featured examples from Sep 22, 2014 to Jan 16, 2017. - [Minimalist Tea Lounges](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-gourmet-tea-lounge): The Gourmet Tea Lounge in Sao Paulo is Colorful and Chic (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Interior design professionals can explore the use of bright white brick walls as a design trend to optimize small retail spaces. - [Gourmet Tea Houses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/Traditional-Green-Tea): Ippodo Offers Premium Traditional Green Teas to Tea Enthusiasts (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Hotels and resorts could partner with gourmet tea houses to offer specialized tea services to their guests, creating a unique amenity and increasing customer satisfaction. - [Elegant Tea Shops](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/t-lounge): T Lounge by Studio pha is a Luxurious Tea-Tasting Experience (Category: Art & Design) Implication: The personalized tea experience at T Lounge presents opportunities for luxury hotels and boutique resorts to enhance their guest offerings. - [Luxe High Tea Experiences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/afternoon-tea): Rhodes W1 Offers Afternoon Tea That Is Authentically English (Category: Luxury) Implication: Opportunity for hotels, restaurants, and cafes to offer high-end afternoon tea experiences as a trendy addition to their service, adding a touch of luxury to their offerings. - [Transformative Tea Bars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/plentea): Toronto's 'Plentea' Has Tea Sommeliers on Staff to Craft Custom Beverages (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Tea retailers can leverage the third wave tea culture by offering specialty tea bars and providing knowledgeable tea sommeliers to curate customized tea experiences for customers. - [Minimalist Tea Boutiques](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/modern-tea-shop): This Modern Tea Shop is Inspired by Japanese Art (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: The tea industry can take advantage of the rise of minimalist, cultural-driven tea shops to create new and unique tea-drinking experiences for their customers. - [Vacuum-Sealed Tea Cafes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/infuse-cafe): Infuse Cafe Offers Traditional Beverages Made with Leading Technology (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Innovative brewing techniques can be applied to other food and beverage products to enhance flavor profiles. - [Tea-Sampling Tours](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/giving-out-free-samples): The New Clipper Teas Campaign Involves Giving Out Free Samples Across the UK (Category: Marketing) Implication: The tea-sampling tour by Clipper Teas highlights innovative approaches to marketing and branding in the beverage industry. ## Recent trend clusters - [Protein Personalization](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/protein-personalization) (Lifestyle) - [Countertop Craft](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/countertop-craft) (Lifestyle) - [Ready Regimens](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/ready-regimens) (Lifestyle) - [Spooky Menus](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/spooky-menus) (Lifestyle) ## Trending in Lifestyle - [Mystery Packaging Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cow-not-laughing) - [Creator-Led Learning Series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/learning-series) - [Real-Time Sunny Drink Maps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cointreau-spicy-margarita-map) - [Multi-Benefit Protein Shakes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/comes-in-three-flavors) All articles: [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle)