Curating a Tea Menu

When we consult with cafés on their tea menus, we don’t use a one-size-fits-all template. Every shop has a unique clientele, value proposition, and service model—and we take that seriously. Our goal is simple: to supply you with tea that meets the standard of your coffee program.

Still, there are some consistent patterns. After working with cafés across the country, we’ve developed a few principles to help guide the process.

Less is More

You wouldn’t stock six single-origin espressos at once. Your tea menu should follow the same logic. We recommend between four to five options at a time—typically one black, one green, one oolong, and one caffeine-free (tisane).

Why? Because baristas are busy. And your customers don’t need 12 options—they need four or five that are brewed well, served consistently, and easy to talk about.

The more concise your menu, the easier it is to train and serve.

TIP: Need more non-caffeinated options? Add a second tisane.

Iced Tea

This ethos applies to iced tea—arguably even more so. A focused selection is key. For most cafés, offering just one green, one black, and one caffeine-free option is more than enough. 

These can be served straight or used as a base for seasonal drinks. The goal is the same: high-quality tea, prepared consistently, without overcomplicating the menu.

Beyond straight tea, most cafes carry both a matcha and a chai tea. From there, the sky is really the limit. 

• Matcha: A staple in both hot and iced formats. Choose a high-quality matcha that whisks easily and holds its own in milk. For many specialty cafés, matcha isn’t just an add-on—it’s a core offering. Because of this, we’ve created a dedicated guide to help you get it right. Read more about matcha here.
  
• Chai: If you offer lattes, a solid chai concentrate is a no-brainer.
  
• Signature Beverages: Once your core is solid, try building seasonal drinks that feature tea.  We can help! Check out our signature drink guide for recipes and inspiration.

Cafés don’t need an overwhelming tea menu. They need a good one.

No matter what kind of café you’re running, we can help you build a tea program that’s high-quality, barista-friendly, and true to your brand.

Let’s match your tea to the rest of your program.