Tea takes a tanning at hands of coffee

Sam Burson, Western Mail

THE traditional cuppa is in dire need of being sexed up, or risk losing its number one spot to coffee, experts will warn today.

Latest research reveals tea may soon be replaced as the nation's favourite hot drink because it is fast falling out of fashion. Increasing coffee consumption - people spent £738m on coffee in Britain last year - plus the growing demand for soft drinks, juices, water and exotic teas are being blamed for the drop in demand.

The findings show sales of traditional tea products have gone into sharp decline. Sales of tea bags, which make up nearly two thirds of the total tea market, are down 16%. Sales of loose tea have fallen by 9%.

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