Cuppa time

Colorful collage with stacked antique tea cups, plates and green macarons, various hands positioned with creamers above cups of amber tea and a Black woman in green in the center, looking at the camera and holding a gold cup

Afternoon tea is the new happy hour

In 2022, people will choose darjeeling with a friend over drinks after work. Afternoon tea is more than a meal—it’s a moment, an aesthetic, a pose. Searches for “tea party aesthetic” and “drinking tea pose” are climbing across all age groups. Pinkies up: you’re royal-tea now.

Collage of tea-themed items. Carafe of citrus-flavored iced tea on a table with blue tablecloth and two glasses filled with iced tea. Glass teapot filled with herbal tea next to glass of tea and cup of herbal tea leaves. Field of yellow flowers in the background.





Collage of teacups filled with tea in dark and amber shades. White teapot with pink roses tilts downward. A white hand dips a tea bag into a dark blue cup filled with tea.

Creator spotlight

Tea time takes on a new meaning with Michael Tran. This boba-loving creator shares his fantasy-like recipes for flavored teas, pastel drinks and sweet bites. Follow Michael to create your own tea time aesthetic.

“Drinking tea isn’t new. But I’m starting to see tea time as a whole mood this year. You plan a date around pastel strawberry milk tea or splurge a little more for the teddy bear-shaped glass bottles. It’s about more than just sipping tea now.”

Local spotlight

Cuppa time in the US

The US may have boycotted tea at one point, but in 2022, we predict it will be one of the leading countries steeping into this trend. Some Americans will engage with tea time in the traditional sense—collecting tea cups, exploring photography or trying their hand at tea sandwiches—while others will give the occasion a whole new twist. Enter: hot tea bombs.

Bring this trend to life

If you’re a food or retail brand...

Food brands can offer up ideas for tea sandwich recipes and tea tasting menus. And retail brands can showcase modern kettles or traditional tea towels for an elegant cuppa time aesthetic.

If you’re a paper goods brand...

What’s a tea party without an elegant invitation? Lean into high tea party invites (print and digital!) or suggest a post-party photo book.

If you’re an entertainment brand...

Share a tea-time music playlist! Create the perfect “pinkies up” party vibe with mellow music for entertaining.

Pinterest search results for tea recipes. Top view of a teacup filled with tea and a teabag  over a colorful floral plate. Clear glass teapot filled with tea and apple slices. Top view of an orange cast iron tea kettle with loose tea next to it. Pin showcasing bearded black man with eyeglasses and earbuds holding a cup of tea. Text that reads steep. Stream. Repeat. The perfect tea-pairing playlist. Description reads cheers to these tea party playlists.

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