We are we wrap up another year having services 7,304 afternoon teas, that include 2404 shipped direct or our lovely customers, and we can add another 300 over the next two days alone. This great British tradition generates sales of over £1 billion in the UK. Afternoon Tea is served all over the world and we asked our team of food imaginers and afternoon tea pastry chefs to compile the latest trends coming our way in 2026 and beyond. 

Top 10 Global Afternoon Tea Trends

1. The Experiential & Theatrical Tea

Afternoon tea is evolving into fully immersive, "Instagrammable" events, moving far beyond a simple tiered stand. This trend focuses on storytelling and engaging all five senses, often linked to popular films, books (like Alice in Wonderland), or even designer scents. Expect dry ice spectacles, colour-changing drinks, custom music, and staff-led narratives to justify the luxury spend and create unforgettable memories.

2. Global Savory Fusion

The classic finger sandwich is undergoing a massive upgrade with bold, international flavor profiles taking centre stage. We’re seeing a shift to premium bread carriers like ciabatta, petit pains, and inventive twists like Tofu Katsu Sando or Beef Bourguignon Croissant. Savory elements now draw inspiration from diverse cuisines, featuring truffle-laced egg salad, umami-rich miso in chicken, or Indian-inspired curried devilled eggs.

3. The Scone Renaissance

The 'humble scone' is finally having its moment of innovation, moving beyond just plain or fruit to embrace diverse flavor pairings for modern palates. Chefs are exploring unique sweet variations like Apple Crumble, Date and Cinnamon and Rose & Pistachio, broadening their appeal to brunch and other occasions. There is also a notable rise in savory scones, such as Basil & Parmesan, perfectly bridging the gap between the savory and sweet courses.

4. Matcha Mania in Patisserie

Matcha continues its explosive growth, transitioning from just a beverage to an essential culinary ingredient across the globe. The vibrant green tea is prized for its perceived health benefits, versatility, and visual appeal, appealing strongly to health-conscious consumers and Gen Z. Expect to find it infused into everything from delicate macarons and financiers to crepe cakes and tiramisu, or our Macha and raspberry Battenberg  offering its earthy richness and vibrant colour.

5. Hyper-Regional and Niche Tea Pairings

The focus is shifting from general tea categories to single-garden, ethically sourced, and rare loose-leaf teas served by expert sommeliers. The trend includes hyper-specific tea varieties like Organic Darjeeling 2nd Flush from a named estate or a unique hand-rolled Jasmine Pearl. Personalised guidance and tableside brewing rituals elevate the service, ensuring the perfect complementary pairing for each course.

6. Wellness and Functional Teas

Driven by a desire for reduced caffeine intake and general health-consciousness, menus now prominently feature a dedicated selection of functional, wellness-focused beverages. Naturally caffeine-free Rooibos and Herbal Infusions are popular bases for innovative blends with botanicals like lavender, chamomile, and rosehip, known for calming or anti-stress benefits. Some concepts take it further with enzyme-rich menus and beauty-enhancing teas fortified with ingredients like hibiscus or collagen.

7. The Cold Brew Craze

As tea consumption is increasingly driven by cold formats, particularly among younger consumers and in warmer climates, Cold Brew Tea is now essential on a modern menu. Cold brewing extracts a smoother, less bitter flavour from the leaves, and is appealing to on-the-go consumers. Look for creative, refreshing cold formats like Oriental Sencha Iced Tea and tea-infused hybrid drinks that offer a healthy alternative to soft drinks.

8. The Nostalgia Revival

Consumers are seeking comfort and tradition, leading to a revival of classic, traditional-recipe inspired flavour's and dishes with a subtle modern refinement. This trend reintroduces beloved childhood or vintage desserts, such as trifle, jam roly-poly, and classic vol-au-vents. The key is blending this authentic nostalgia with a modern flair, ensuring a contemporary presentation of the time-honoured taste like our reinvested custard Carmel creams 

9. Asian-Inspired Sweet Delights

Global pastry chefs are incorporating Asian culinary techniques and flavors into traditional French patisserie bases. This infusion introduces exotic and complementary tastes like yuzu, lychee, dragon fruit, and red bean to the dessert course. Signature sweets may include mini Mango Sticky Rice Pots, Mochi, or Green Tea Crepe Cakes, offering a fresh, light, and complex finish to the afternoon tea experience.

10. Dietary Inclusivity and Plant-Based Treats

The market for afternoon tea is expanding significantly to be more inclusive, with mandatory offerings for various dietary constraints. High-end venues now offer dedicated vegan, gluten-free, and low-sugar menus, where pastry chefs skillfully use alternatives like almond flour and oat or cashew creams. This trend ensures a truly guilt-free indulgence for everyone, maintaining the luxury experience regardless of dietary needs.

Why not try our apple crumble scone recipe 

.Apple Crumble Scones (Makes 24 )

This scone is a gorgeous hybrid, marrying the fluffiness of a classic bake with the warmth of a crumble.

Ingredients (Metric)

Method

1. Prepare the Crumble: In a small bowl, combine the flour, oats, and sugar for the crumble. Crucially, rub in the cold butter using your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs. Chill this mixture immediately; keeping it cold is key to crunch.

2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the self-raising flour, cinnamon, and sugar.

3. Incorporate the Fat: Add the cold, diced butter (for the scone) to the flour mix. Respect the science! Use your fingertips to quickly rub the butter into the flour until it looks like fine breadcrumbs, leaving some pea-sized pieces. The melting of these cold fat pockets is what creates the scone’s light rise.

4. Add Wet Ingredients: Pour 3/4 of the lemonade (approx. 300mls and the diced apple into the dry mix. Gently mix everything until a soft, shaggy dough forms, adding more milk only if necessary to bring it together. Do not overmix.

5. Shape and Cut: Tip the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Gently knead just a few times to form a ball, then pat it out to about 4cm thickness. 6cm rounds 

6. Apply Topping & Bake: Brush the tops of the scones with the beaten egg wash, then liberally press the chilled crumble mixture onto the tops. Bake in a preheated oven at 180 and check after 15mins  minutes, or until golden brown.

Handy Hints & Tips:

• Cold is Gold: Keep every ingredient—especially the butter—as cold as possible until it hits the oven; this prevents spreading and ensures a high rise.

• Do Not Twist: When using a cutter, push straight down and pull up; twisting seals the edges and prevents the scone from rising fully.