Tea jellies, tablets or sprays: What Tetley's has to say about the future of the cuppa

It’s enough to drive you to drink - tea that is!

For the humble cuppa is set to undergo a radical transformation over the next decade – and we will soon be taking our tea via jelly, tablets... and even spray, say experts.

With Brits consuming 165m cups of tea every day, boffins at Tetley have teamed up with futurologists to predict what’s brewing for the nation’s favourite beverage by 2026.

And it makes for very interesting reading.

Sensor-powered kitchen tea-makers will deliver customised blends based on health information from ‘wearable tech’ – ensuring for instance that extra caffeine and vitamin B6 is added if the consumer is feeling tired.

By 2026, hardened tea drinkers will have become ‘domestic blenders’, using smart tools and taking advantage of rising temperatures to grow tea plants at home then blend and brew the leaves themselves.

And instead of simply putting the kettle on, tipplers will be able to take tea in the form of jelly, tablet, spray, sorbets and syrups, according to the Tetley Future of Tea report.

While tea is renowned for its health-giving properties, in 10 years’ time, ‘remedy teas’ will emerge, enriched with medicines from pain killers to antibiotics, as well as ready-made blends to help a range of ailments – including a hangover and hair loss.

High street coffee shops are also set to face a serious challenge from ‘tea-total’ chains offering exotic tastes and flavours.

Laurent Sagarra, head of product innovation at Tetley Global and the expert behind the Super Tea range, said: “Britain’s love affair with tea is enduring.

“The way we consume tea has gradually evolved since the 17th century, but now we are entering a period of rapid change

“Functional ‘super-teas’ enriched with vitamins represent the biggest innovation in tea since the tea-bag.

“We are constantly innovating, grading, blending and tasting to see what’s next for the iconic British cuppa.

“The ‘Future of Tea’ provides a strong picture of consumer attitudes to health in 2026 and an entire spectrum of product concepts, formats and technologies to explore.

“There are many possibilities, but one thing is for sure, a quality brew will always be a timeless pleasure.”