It's the Perfect Time to Start Selling Tea

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Last year, according to the Tea Association of the USA, Americans consumed over 3.6 billion gallons of tea—mostly black tea (followed by green) and usually ice cold. Sales are up and the industry is expecting continuous growth: 87% of millennials drink tea and the Association predicts tea sales doubling over the next five years.

So, with summer rolling on in and everyone thinking about cooler ways to get their caffeine fix, now is the perfect time for your company to consider selling and serving tea.

If you’re interested in loose-leaf tea or tea bags, consider the following:

• Tea lasts longer in bulk bins than coffee (up to a year) and has a higher profit margin.
• Our bulk tea start-up package is ideal for first-timers: this package includes 16 pounds of tea (8 different flavors), bulk jars with labels, scoops and tin-tie bags.
• 1-oz packages of loose-leaf tea are available in attractive gift packaging, including private label, and are an easy sell.

Customers may initially be hesitant to move from familiar Lipton-style tea bags to better-tasting gourmet loose-leaf, but are easily won over—let them know they can make tea in their auto-drip coffee maker and keep a few tea ball infusers by the register for a quick impulse buy. You may also want to put up a sign (or a stack of fliers) with our recommended steeping instructions:

1. Measure accurately. Use 1 teaspoon to every 5-7 oz of water. As dry tea leaves vary in density you may want to use 2 teaspoons for larger leaf varieties such as Greens and Oolongs. If you are brewing for iced tea use 1 oz per gallon.
2. Use cold, filtered water. If filtered water is not available, let the cold water tap run for a moment before filling your kettle.
3. Add tea leaves to a teapot or infuser, or brew tea through your coffee brewer using two filters for better extraction and running the brew cycle twice.
4. Different water temperatures are required for brewing different teas. Pour boiling water directly over Black and Herbal teas, allow water to cool for a few minutes before making Green, Oolong and Darjeeling teas.
5. Steeping times will vary. The best way to find the perfect steeping time is to experiment with your favorite tea.
6. If you prefer strong tea do not steep the tea longer, simply add more leaves.

For the restaurateurs and cafe owners out there: it’s easy and inexpensive to brew and serve fresh tea (we recommend the hugely-popular Apricot Mango as a house specialty) and you can save even more money by purchasing BOP-grade tea, which is ideal for commercial brewing due to the cheaper cost and higher yield. Our commercial-grade Bunn tea brewer can make up to 26 gallons an hour and includes a 3-gallon dispenser and is optimal for the busy lunch crowd.

Tea popularity is on the rise, and carrying it will give your customers another great reason to stop by. Explore our bulk loose-leaf and packaged teas today, and call us with any questions!