Specialty Tea Market Expanding

NEW YORK--Specialty teas are gaining popularity with consumers, according to a new report from market research publisher Packaged Facts.

According to the report, "The U.S. Market for Tea and Ready-to-Drink Tea," sales of black tea have declined in the United States, while U.S. consumers are gravitating toward more exotic tea blends. The report also values the current tea market at $6.8 billion and predicts it will reach $10 billion by 2010.

"Green tea is hot right now--in fact it's getting dangerously close to becoming a cliché for a food to contain green tea," said Don Montuori, publisher of Packaged Facts (www.packagedfacts.com). "White tea is the newest trend, and it's said to have even more health advantages than green tea. But, it may not take off with the same trajectory as green tea, since it's more expensive and the flavor is more subtle."