3 Hot Drink Trends We Can Get Behind
South Africa has a rich and thriving food and drinks culture, with beloved brands rolling out new products and opening up new locations regularly. Furthermore, due to the recent pandemic, a shift to healthier eating and drinking habits is noticeable. For instance, according to the Rooibos Council, the happy hour that used to revolve around alcohol has been replaced by afternoon tea, with many people opting to socialise over a cup of hot tea or coffee instead of beer or wine. In line with this burgeoning practise, here are other hot drink trends that people all over the country are in love with.
Customised Tea-Gifting
In South Africa, tea is having its moment. Known as the perfect alternative to coffee, tea has always been a staple for many South Africans. However, this time, the hot tea industry is experiencing rapid growth. In 2020 alone, its registered sales reached up to 33.1 million kg. One of the key drivers in this growth is the practise of customised tea gifting. Customised tea gifts can include various blends and at times, even blending kits. If you are new to this practise, you can sign up for a membership at an online tea club in order to learn more about the perfect blends that you can give to your loved ones. You’ll also get access to different types of tea from all over the world to increase your knowledge about tea.
Homebrewed Coffee
Coffee is still one of the most loved drinks in the country. However, when the pandemic hit, access to expertly brewed coffee had also been limited. This did not deter coffee lovers, however, as the local coffee market still experienced a 2.1% positive growth. This growth can be attributed to consumers who looked for ways to elevate their coffee-drinking experience while staying at home. In order to replicate their favourite coffee shop drinks, many coffee lovers made use of coffee subscription boxes, followed online tutorials, and ordered high-quality coffee products. This trend goes to show that if you really like something, you will always find a way to enjoy it.
Milk Alternatives
While the vegan milk debate is not yet making its rounds in SA, reports show that the local demand for dairy is slowly experiencing a downward trend. This is favourable to producers of alternative milk products, especially those that offer good value for money. Some of the milk alternatives that are steadily becoming more popular are coconut, soy, and almond milk. However, there are other alternatives that are easily accessible in SA, including brown rice, cashew, macadamia, and tiger nut milk.
The local market for these products is rapidly growing, and even local businesses are catching up. For instance, Vida, SA’s top coffee chain, offers at least five plant-based milk alternatives. This trend reflects the shift towards a healthier, ethical, and more environment-friendly mindset that most consumers are adopting.
These three trends reflect that most consumers want healthier eating and drinking habits. Moreover, they also show the need to elevate simple experiences into something more refined. Just because tea, coffee, and milk are all regular drinks does not mean that you cannot bring a new and trendy twist to them.