Tea Preference Trends in India: What Are We Really Sipping?

August 5, 2025 Kholizio A. Kapemai

We all know tea is basically the unofficial national drink of India (sorry, water). But have you ever paused mid-sip and wondered: what is everyone else drinking? Are we all secretly green tea connoisseurs? Is the chai supremacy still undefeated? Are loose-leaf lovers finally taking over the world?

At Kapemai, we recently brewed up a Tea Habits Survey to decode exactly what the modern Indian tea drinker is really about. The results? Spicy, floral, milky, and oh-so-satisfying.

Let’s spill the tea, shall we?

What You’ll Learn (and Sip)✨

Want the highlights? Here’s the quick pour:

Discover the tea preference trends shaping India’s next-gen tea scene
Find out if loose-leaf tea is finally winning over tea bags
Meet the most popular tea types, including our crowd-favorite Assam Black and fragrant Darjeeling Green
Explore the flavor map: earthy, spicy, floral, and more
See what today’s consumer tea preferences reveal about buying behavior, packaging, and sustainability

What Are "Tea Preference Trends" Anyway?🔍

Good question.

“Tea preference trends” are the evolving patterns in how people drink, buy, and experience tea. Think of them like fashion trends but for your teacup. Do people love loose-leaf or tea bags? Are we steeping black tea or sipping oolong after yoga? Lemon or milk? Glass jars or tins?

Understanding consumer tea preferences helps us not just as a tea brand, but as a community celebrate tea the way you like it. Not how your great-uncle made it in 1996.

Who’s Drinking All This Tea?👥

According to our tea habits survey, the majority of tea drinkers were between 25–34 years old, aka Millennials and Gen Z, who love trying new blends, Instagramming their brews, and debating “chai vs. matcha” like it’s a national issue.

Oh, and 72% of respondents said they drink tea daily. We love the commitment.

What Types of Tea Are People Actually Drinking?🍵

Let’s get to the juicy part. When we asked what kind of tea reigns supreme, here’s how the leaves fell:

Black Tea – 78% (Chai lovers, we see you.)
Green Tea – 56% (Wellness crew, loud and proud.)
Herbal Tea – 31% (For sleepy time or spa vibes.)
Oolong Tea – 23% (The underrated gem.)
White Tea – 19% (A niche fave with quiet power.)

Loose Leaf vs. Tea Bags: What’s Brewing?🌿

We had to ask.

Here’s how our survey brewed up:

48% prefer loose leaf
33% go for tea bags
19% choose instant powder (we’re not judging... okay maybe just a little 😅)

Takeaway? Loose-leaf tea is slowly becoming the main character. Probably because it’s fresher, more flavorful, and gives you a tiny moment of ritual like adulting, but fun.

If you're just getting into the loose-leaf life, our tea collection is the perfect place to start. (Yes, we made it extra beginner-friendly. You’re welcome.)

Flavor Preferences: From Earthy to Fruity💡

Turns out, we’re a nation of flavor chasers.

Here’s how the taste buds stacked up:

62% enjoy earthy notes (Darjeeling, anyone?)
59% love spicy blends (Masala chai supremacy 💥)
53% lean toward fruity/floral
21% like nutty profiles

Translation: While desi-style chai still holds the throne, people are getting curiouser and curiouser about new notes and nuanced blends. (Sound like you? Welcome to Kapemai. We were made for this.)

How We Take Our Tea: Sugar, Milk, or Lemon? 🍬

No tea habits survey is complete without the classic add-in debate.

76% add milk or cream
69% sweeten it with sugar
17% add a squeeze of lemon
9% like it plain

So yes, milky sweet tea is still ruling the kingdom, but there’s a growing tribe of tea purists who enjoy it clean and simple. Either way, we’ve got you. From Classic Chai to Darjeeling Green, we make teas that vibe with your preferences, not the other way around.

What Makes Us Buy Tea?💸

We asked: What actually matters when you’re picking out tea?

Where Are We Buying Tea From?🛒

Let’s talk shopping habits:

76% buy from grocery stores
59% shop online
34% visit specialty tea shops
21% get tea from cafés

So while convenience is still king, curiosity is definitely rising. And honestly? We love that. The internet has made it super easy to explore rare teas, try new blends, and find brands that speak your language.

Like us. (Just saying.)

Packaging Preferences: Tins Are In📦

This surprised us more than it should’ve.

38% prefer tin packaging
29% go for paper
18% are fine with plastic
15% want glass or sustainable options

Sustainability is clearly on people’s minds, and we're all for it. That’s why Kapemai’s packaging is 100% recyclable and color-coded by blend for that chef’s kiss unboxing experience.

Would You Join a Tea Tasting?🎉

We asked if people were interested in trying teas at events or online tastings, and:

68% said YES
32% were like, “I’m good, thanks.”

To the 68%: get ready. We’re brewing up some tasting experiences very soon, and they’ll be full of sips, stories, and surprises. (Psst subscribers get first invites.)

Final Thoughts on Tea Preference Trends🧠

If there’s one thing our tea habits survey revealed, it’s this:

Indian tea drinkers are evolving. We're adventurous, informed, and excited to try new things. We want quality over gimmicks. Rituals over rush. And yes, we still love a good old cup of masala chai.

Kapemai was built on exactly that vibe: high-quality tea, made approachable and fun. Whether you’re a seasoned sipper or just dipping your toes into the tea world, we’ve got a blend with your name on it.

Ready to Taste What You’ve Been Missing?🌱

Explore our full collection of loose-leaf teas from bold Assams to mellow greens, and our award-worthy Oolong.
Treat your taste buds to what they actually want.

👉 Shop Kapemai Teas Now

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