Despite tea’s astounding popularity globally, the United States has long lagged behind many other countries when it comes to tea consumption, and that conception of tea has mostly been limited to iced black tea. This, however, appears to be changing, with the U.S. importing far more tea — in the hundreds of millions of dollars — this decade than it did 30 years ago, with millennials in particular the most likely to be tea drinkers. Matcha is, obviously, everywhere; according to the New Consumer, it usurped chai as the leading specialty tea drink in cafes. A lot more tea, it seems, is about to follow, as new tea-focused businesses sprout up across the country and as tea sees increased applications as a flavor element in food, desserts, and cocktails in addition to its consumption as a standalone drink.
Across the country, teahouses with a similar ethos to Enoki’s are catering to the desire for another kind of space: one that feels slower and more intentional than the average coffee shop, and which offers a different experience than yet another restaurant or high-end cocktail bar.
I’m glad this is becoming a thing, I’m tired of my only options in the US being soda, alcohol, or coffee. Other options like tea and fruit juices are always overlooked or way too sweetened if they are available
I’m sorry to say, most of this trend isn’t really tea. Most are milk and sugar products with tea used as a flavoring. The same as how Starbucks makes its coffee products.
I would love for the trend to be actual tea houses serving unadulterated tea. Saddly, flavored sweetend milk is what most people seem to want.
Honestly, I feel the same way. I’ve been a tea drinker for a long time and I stopped getting excited whenever a new tea shop opens. It’s always boba or milk teas or something overly sweetened. I don’t even like boba.
I want a good loose leaf tea shop without all the extras.