The future of tea in 2010

15th December 2009

Tea experts across the country have been looking into their crystal balls - or perhaps they've been reading the tea leaves... From the top tea rooms and hotels around the UK, here are the predictions for tea trends in 2010.

Swissotel The Howard

At this new Tea Guild Member, Ilka - Manager of The Mauve Lounge - predicts that, "Afternoon Tea will become more popular during business meetings" and reckons that tea cocktails have the potential to be Summer's big trend. "We also think that added value or themes will make the afternoon tea experience even more special" such as the revitalizing and beautifying afternoon tea the hotel is planning with spa brand Aveda. Tea will also become more popular with a younger generation due to it's price, while seasonality is set to be a huge gastronomic trend for 2010. According to Swissotel's Executive Chef, Brian Spark, "afternoon tea cakes and pastries will be more focused on seasonal ingredients next year".

Brown's Hotel

"Until recently our clientele were mainly female but the market for afternoon tea will continue to become more diverse" reveals Leyla Mussaud, Manager of The English Tea Room. Leyla believes that the key trend of 2010 will be themed afternoon tea, such as "children's afternoon tea parties, baby showers, hen parties and even bachelor's afternoon tea!"

The Athenaeum

As the recession continues to bite, more people will skip lunch in favour of afternoon tea according to Marketing Manager, Alison Wheatley. "Over the past few months we've seen an increase in guests who replace their lunch with tea. People are more conscious of what they spend so afternoon tea is a welcome option as it includes everything from champagne to savory and sweet options, instead of guests having to pay for their food, wine and water". Alison also believes that hotels and teas will continue to offer "quirky ideas" for their teas and predicts that cupcakes will continue to be "the biggest thing in pastries".

Tiny Tim's

Conversely, this Kent tea room "noticed the trend for cupcakes during 2009, however we predict this will tail off in the new year in favour of more traditional cakes. We can't make enough Victoria Sponge!" say owners Jo and Phil Dench-Owens. Cake sales soared in January 2009 and Jo and Phil predict the same will occur in 2010. "Rather than people shunning luxurious cakes after Christmas, we saw a rise in cake sales during January and February!"

Mandarin Oriental

"2009 was the year of tea, from designer tea, flower tea and men’s bespoke tea..." but Graham Hornigold, Chef Patissier, believes that 2010 will see tea return to the classics, "which must be executed to perfection". But of course! For the sweet treats that will accompany your tea, Graham thinks that "pastries will have to be fresh and trendy in appearance - like jewels - and must be finished with love and passion. The number of tea diners has increased considerably and to keep up with this influx and the diversity of diners, tea will cater more for the individual and head towards more allergen aware teas i.e. gluten, dairy and nut free".

Orange Pekoe

"Afternoon tea sales will increase in 2010 as people continue to look for affordable activities," predicts Marianna Hadjigeorgiou, Managing Director of this riverside tea room. "Looking at bigger trends, design is being led by traditional English design and culture - which is why afternoon tea is doing so well at the moment". Orange Pekoe are also about to introduce a rare yellow tea to their menu and are introducing a tea menu with in-depth descriptions of the 60 blends they offer.

The Black Swan, Yorkshire

According to Alison Souter, Manager of this Helmsley hotel's patisserie and tea room, "there will be a big interest in tea's health benefits so I think there will be an increase in the drinking of green, white and oolong teas served in glass teapots and cups, which will be drunk by a younger customer". Alison continues, "I also predict that younger customers will continue to take traditional afternoon tea. Young couples seem to relish stepping back in time and just taking an hour out of their hectic lives to enjoy the whole tea experience!"

The Dorchester

Head of Communications at The Dorchester, Rosanna Crawley, predicts that in 2010 "people will enjoy entertainment alongside their afternoon tea." The Dorchester ran several events with added entertainment in 2009, such as a Christmas tea accompanied by a choir and a Mad Hatter's Tea Party for children (in collaboration with the English National Ballet) and this trend is set to grow in 2010. The Hotel has also inspired an airborne tea, "British Airways have just launched Afternoon Tea inspired by The Dorchester on their long-haul flights" reveals Rosanna.

The Lanesborough

Karl Kessab, dedicated Tea Sommelier at this prestigious London hotel, predicts that in 2010, "the emphasis will be on rare white teas with a difference. There is a huge demand from customers who know what these teas have to offer in terms of their health benefits". Next year The Lanesborough also plans to offer High Tea, which Karl describes as "an early evening meal and much more than just tea and cakes."

Grosvenor House

James B. Clarke, Director of Food & Beverage, believes that teas from the Far East and flowering infusions will be the hottest thing in tea in 2010. "Next year we will also offer a Bespoke Tea, giving guests an alternative option to the traditional set afternoon tea. They can pick and choose what they would like to eat - such as a single éclair or finger sandwiches - and it looks set to be especially popular in the detoxing months of January and February". James' tip-offs for the cakes to eat in 2010 are "rose macaroons and classical comfort food such as mini Victoria Sponges". The hotel has also seen a rise in "young professional women taking their boyfriends on dates and young mothers holding baby showers" and also reiterates the growing trend of business meetings taking place over afternoon tea. "It's a more recession friendly concept than lunch," says James.

Cemlyn

Excitingly, this traditional Welsh tea room is set to serve the first Welsh tea in 2010, sourced from a tea plantation in Pembrokeshire. In 2009, owners Jan and Geoff noticed "that people are willing to spend more on quality afternoon tea and we feel this will continue. On our travels we've seen that there are definitely more tea rooms offering loose tea so while we wouldn't say the days of the tea bag are numbered, it's great to see that loose tea is again coming to the fore". Cemlyn also looks set to continue to welcome children experimenting with their tea choice. "We saw a distinct increase in the numbers of youngsters trying teas that they haven't had before and often they are very interested in where the tea comes from".

Bettys

The tea buyers for Bettys predict that more people will be experimenting with their tea choices and while black tea is still well-loved, green and white blends will becoming increasingly popular. At the Yorkshire branches of Bettys there also seems to be a growing trend of younger people taking afternoon tea. "It's a lovely, celebratory treat that is not overly expensive", says press officer Samantha Gibson.

Turnberry

Catriona Grant, manager of this Scottish hotel's tea room has noticed that "People are drinking a variety of teas - especially black teas - for health reasons and oolong is particularly popular". In 2010 Catriona predicts that people will continue to enjoy "traditional afternoon tea, as people now spend longer over tea than they do for dinner" while she also believes that tea will be served to "a variety of different groups especially younger groups celebrating birthdays".