CHICAGO — Younger consumers are redefining wellness and embracing better-for-you beverages. Ready-to-drink (RTD) teas — often formulated with caffeine and other functional ingredients — are capitalizing on tea’s health halo to establish a position in the market for beverages with health benefits.

“Beverage brands are leveraging innovative ingredients, research partnerships and creative flavor reinterpretations to stand out with RTD tea offerings and meet evolving consumer demands in a competitive market,” said Micah Greenhill, senior marketing director--non-alcoholic beverages, ADM, Chicago.

Tea brands have been playing in the tea alternative space for a long time, as herbal teas — such as ginseng — are not real tea. Herbal teas are not derived from the Camellia sinensis plant and are classified as tisanes.

“Real” teas are formulated from the leaves of the same evergreen plant. The leaves are simply processed differently to achieve varying flavor dimensions. All “real” tea contains caffeine.

San Francisco-based Mind Garden uses hibiscus — a tisane — as a base in one of its “mindful” RTD beverages. The company’s beverages are formulated to support and prepare the mind for a sense of calm, according to the company. They are beverages that cross that line between RTD tea and other.

Mind Garden is formulated with brewed hemp and fruit juice that is infused with a blend of adaptogens and nootropics that are recognized for supporting relaxation and sharpen focus. It includes herbal teas, such as the tisane hibiscus.

Rooibos is another tisane gaining traction. It is available in red and green varieties, both of which are native to South Africa. Rooibos is rich in antioxidants and associated with several health benefits. Its availability in the United States has been limited. Suppliers are trying to change that as interest grows. In South Africa, Woolworths recently introduced RTD rooibos cappuccino that contains 10% rooibos extract blended with dairy cream.

Yerba mate is another tisane popular in South Africa. Guayaki Yerba Mate, Sebastopol, Calif., combines the two tisanes into a new RTD variety, which starts with brewed rooibos and yerba mate leaves. The combination is then infused with peach, nectarine and white flower notes for flavor.

Mint teas are also popular. Many consumers perceive mint to support digestive health and have calming properties for the mind, Greenhill said.

Some consumers perceive mint to support digestive health and have calming properties.

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“Our colorless peppermint extract is a cross between water mint and spearmint that delivers high impact and authenticity,” Greenhill said. “Emerging within the RTD space are pairings of mint and fruit flavors, such as watermelon, pineapple, berries and citrus.”

Ready-to-drink boba/bubble tea, a milky green or black tea featuring chewy “pearls,” continues to trend.   The same with kombucha, the refrigerated RTD probiotic tea beverage for digestive health.

To create different types of microbiome-supporting RTD teas, suppliers are investing in biotic ingredient technologies. The focus tends to be on spore-forming probiotics and postbiotics that are capable of withstanding harsh formulation conditions.

“Certain botanical extracts can also deliver on flavor, along with perceived functional attributes,” Greenhill said. “Lavender, chamomile, elderflower, lemongrass and other spa-like herbal teas are perceived to have calming properties.”

Artemis International, Fort Wayne, Ind., offers multiple products to enhance the functional profile of RTD tea beverages, while at the same time adding flavor profiles. One ingredient system includes elderberry and echinacea and focuses on immune support. Another based on high-polyphenol blueberry may help brain function, improve memory and support healthy inflammation response, according to the company.  

“We offer several protein and fiber-rich ingredients suitable for RTD tea beverages, including our line of organic mushroom powders and blends and berry-based fibers,” said Leslie Gallo, president at Artemis. “Our fenugreek powder adds protein and fiber to help increase beneficial gut microbiota.”

Several RTD brands are blurring the lines between being tea or another beverage, like a protein drink. Some are adding juice or carbonation.

“Also, there are cross-category flavor combinations, such as paloma iced tea, to create novel (mocktail) drink options,” said Meghan Sutton, category marketing lead, Tastepoint by IFF, Philadelphia. “Tea is set to undergo a new wave of blurring as beverage brands continue to harness tea’s healthy halo and incorporate it into more drink formulations.”