Tea sales in the UK are estimated to dro by 5% in 2016 to reach £614 million, according to new research by Mintel.

Over one in three (35%) tea drinkers aged between 55 and 64 drink five or more cups of standard black tea a day, compared to just 16% of those aged between 25 and 34.

Despite tea being a national favourite for centuries, it seems that younger consumers are less enthused. Almost half (48%) of those aged between 25 and 34 say that too much standard black tea can stain your teeth, while 23% of this age group say that the beverage has too much caffeine for them to drink it in the afternoon or evening and one in five (21%) say black tea is not good for hydration. Indeed, it seems young Brits are keen for more extravagant options as two in five (32%) aged 25 to 34 say they prefer more indulgent hot drinks to tea.

Whats more, this age group are the most likely to shun the traditional tea bag for a more exotic tea time drink. Brits aged 25 to 34 are almost twice as likely to drink speciality teas in comparison to Brits over the age of 55, with half (50%) of those aged 25 to 34 drinking speciality black tea, compared to 26% of consumers over the age of 55. Furthermore, 49% of Brits aged between 25 to 34 drink green tea, compared to less than one quarter (22%) of those aged over 55. Theyre also more partial to fruit tea, with almost half (48%) of those aged between 25 to 34 drinking this variety, compared to just 28% of those aged over 55.

As a result, while Mintel research reveals that sales of ordinary tea bags are estimated to have dropped by 14% between 2013 and 2015, sales of green bags grew by 39%, speciality bags by 8% and fruit and herbal bags by 13%.

Richard Caines, senior food and drink analyst at Mintel, says, "UK retail value sales of tea have been in decline in recent years, with growth in sales of green, fruit, herbal and speciality teas not enough to make up for a fall in sales of standard black tea which dominates the market. Tea brands need to increase the appeal of their products to 16 to 34 year olds who drink standard black tea less frequently. One way of encouraging more tea drinking among younger consumers is with more choice of flavours and indulgent varieties."