2025 was a big year for tea culture. From wellness-forward blends to community-driven moments with our favorite leaf, this year wasn’t just about drinking tea. It was about experiencing it in ways that feel social, soulful, and deeply personal.
Here’s what stood out in the world of tea this year.
1. Loose Leaf Tea Keeps Rising
One of the biggest shifts we’ve seen continues to be a move away from single-use tea bags toward whole leaf and loose leaf tea.
People are:
- Choosing quality over convenience
- Curious about flavor nuances
- Brewing tea the way they brew coffee—with intention
Loose leaf gives you room to explore texture, aroma, and depth in every cup. The trend isn’t niche anymore. It’s authentic.
This aligns beautifully with our community at Full Moon—where tea is a practice, not just a drink.
2. Functional Blends That Don’t Taste Like Medicine
Wellness teas were everywhere in 2025, but not the chalky, “health tonic” vibe of years past.
What people wanted:
- Functional support with flavor
- Herbal blends that actually taste good
- Ingredients that feel familiar not clinical
Think:
- Digestive supportive blends with ginger and citrus
- Calm-focused herbs like lavender and chamomile
- Skin-friendly botanicals like rooibos and hibiscus
At Full Moon, teas like Hibiscus Lavender and Evening Peach Orchard hit that sweet spot—real benefit, real flavor.
3. Tea Mocktails Go Mainstream
Bubble tea had its moment earlier in the decade. In 2025, tea mocktails had theirs.
People are:
- Brewing strong leaf teas to mix with sparkling water
- Pairing seasonal flavors with herbs and citrus
- Creating layered, colorful, Instagram-worthy drinks
From Santa’s Sunset Spritz to citrus hibiscus spritzes on warmer days, tea stepped in as the non-alcoholic star of the drink menu.
Teas as a base for mocktails = one of the most delightful cultural tea moments of the year.
4. Traceability and Transparency Matter More Than Ever
Tea drinkers are more informed than ever about:
- Where their teas come from
- How they’re grown
- How they’re processed
People aren’t satisfied with generic “black tea.” They want to know which region, which estate, how it was picked and whether it’s ethically sourced.
We’re proud that our partner Royal NY helps bring that clarity to Full Moon Tea Co teas. Transparency isn’t just a buzzword. It’s what builds trust.
5. Community First Tea Experiences
This year wasn’t just about what tea people drank. It was about who they drank it with.
Tea events, local tastings, holiday teas, online gatherings, community-driven moments—those were everywhere.
Tea stopped being a solo, utilitarian drink and became a shared experience.
That’s exactly the energy we’ve built with our tea fam, online and off.
6. Creative Seasonal Sips
In 2025, seasonal blends didn’t just mean “winter spice.”
We saw:
- Lavender citrus for spring
- Hibiscus + mint summer sippers
- Rooibos and rose for fall coziness
- Herbal blends for solstice rituals
Seasonal tea became a vibe rather than a category.
This trend matters because it invites people to treat tea as part of life’s rhythm, not just a repeat purchase.
What This Means for 2026
If 2025 was about expanding how we think about tea, then 2026 is going to be about expanding how we live with tea.
Expect:
- More hybrid tea drink experiences (think tea + botanical mocktails)
- Deeper conversations about sustainability and sourcing
- Seasonal, limited-edition drops that feel experiential
- Community-driven flavors shaped by real tea lovers
- Functional blends with flavor first, benefit second
Tea is becoming a lifestyle, not a category.
