Hojicha, chai and mate gain ground as UK tea alternatives

6 articles · Updated · BBC.com · May 8

In London, Jenki's iced hojicha latte sales rose 55% year on year, while Chaiiwala says it sells about 500,000 cups of karak chai monthly.
Businesses say hojicha is moving from niche to mainstream, and growing demand is also lifting chai, kombucha and other tea categories beyond matcha.
The shift is being linked to sober-curious socialising and demand for functional drinks, though owners do not expect any new tea trend to match matcha's rapid boom.

Can hojicha escape its pricey, niche status to truly challenge the traditional and affordable British cuppa?

Are popular hojicha lattes a genuine health trend, or just a new marketing angle for sugary café beverages?

As Western demand for specialty teas booms, are farmers in Asia and South America seeing fair profits or exploitation?