Pandemic Prompts Consumers to Grab Nutritious RTD Teas

RTD Tea cropped

It’s tea time in America, and consumers not only want convenience during COVID times, but they’re also looking for their drinks to contain some sort of nutritional value, taste great and contain less sugar. And that’s where honey comes in.

Tea and honey have gone together for centuries, and 2020’s ready-to-drink (RTD) category is booming. Allied Market Research in October published its “Ready-to-drink (RTD) Tea Market by Type (Green Tea, Black Tea, and Others), Category (Organic and Conventional), and Distribution Channel (Supermarket/Hypermarket, Specialty Stores, Online Stores, and Others): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021–2027” report, which estimates the global RTD tea industry is estimated to top at almost $39 billion by 2027, amounting to a compound annual growth rate of 5.5% from 2021 to 2027. What’s contributing to this growth?

Consumers are looking for health benefits during COVID. RTD tea “is encouraging consumers to focus on adopting a healthy lifestyle, which is a key factor that contributes toward the growth of the global RTD tea market,” the report noted. Honey is an all-natural and unprocessed sweetener, which consumers are clamoring for during these times. 

The RTD tea competition is flowing on supermarket shelves, and RTD drinks are a convenient way for consumers to grab, pay and go, which is an even more unique current demand. Great taste and attractive packaging are driving the market, and Allied Market Research said that product portfolio extensions and introduction of innovative flavors “are anticipated to offer remunerative opportunities for the expansion of the global RTD tea market during the forecast period.” 

Honey is indeed a marketable sweetener, especially when consumers are looking for sweeteners that provide more of a health halo. Honey is familiar, tastes great and carries positive consumer perceptions. Let’s take a look at some great RTD teas on the market that contain honey.




Teavana Wellness Craft Iced Teas, Balance
The Balance: Watermelon Basil Oolong Tea launched with the new variety in July, and it contains honey, basil, ginger, lemongrass, fennel, lemon peel, cardamom and turmeric.

Photo Credit: Teavanva
Photo Credit: Lion




Lion Dandelion Tea, Blackberry Rose
Lion’s lineup of RTD teas have a lot of made with honey offerings, but we’re particularly in love with Blackberry Rose. Lion promotes this tea as a daily detox and digestive aid, along with a superplant elixir on its attractive packaging.

Teakoe Fizzy Teas, Pear Garden Mint
Teakoe’s made with honey lineup includes a Queen’s Choice Award winner, and we also love sipping on Pear Garden Mint. Teakoe advertises this carbonated RTD tea as a stress reliever and good for immunity support, two things that are vital especially during the pandemic. Organic white tea only has 30 calories per 12 fl. oz. can.

Photo Credit: Teakoe