With her passionate blog Tea For Me Please Nicole Wilson has the ultimate goal ‘to help others learn more about tea in an approachable way’. We asked her about 2020 and her expectations or this year. “Zoom tea tastings have become a popular way to bolster business. Many companies have also seen significant growth in online tea sales during this time.”
What was the best-read post on your blog in 2020? Do you know why?
My most popular post in 2020 was ‘Can You Get Coronavirus from Chinese Tea?‘. This was a major concern for many people, especially at the beginning of the pandemic. I hope that my blog post helped reassure my readers that there’s no risk of contracting Coronavirus from drinking tea.
How do you look back on 2020?
2020 was definitely a challenging year. My travel plans were put on hold, but I attended several really great online tea events. I’ve also taken advantage of the extra time at home by taking a tea teacher training course.
How hard was it in the tea business in 2020?
This year has been a mixed bag for tea businesses. Those who rely on sit down tea service and to-go beverages are definitely facing a struggle. Zoom tea tastings have become a popular way to bolster business. Many companies have also seen significant growth in online tea sales during this time.
What do you expect business-wise in tea for 2021?
I definitely think that we’ll see a continued and growing interest in specialty tea in the next year. Compared to the rest of the world, consumers in the United States are just beginning to understand that there is a whole world of tea than the typical grocery store teabag. Brick and mortar retailers will have to get creative to stay relevant and maintain sales amidst COVID restrictions.
What will the trends be in tea for 2021? And why?
Low-alcohol and low-calorie cocktails are all the rage right now. I think we’ll definitely see tea popping up more in beverages like hard kombucha. Cold-brew iced tea is also going to become more popular for food service. It is easy to make in bulk and less bitterness, giving it a wider appeal.
