Walk into almost any café, hotel, or restaurant and you’ll see real care given to coffee—dialled-in espresso, origin stories, trained staff.

Now ask yourself: what’s happening with the tea?

In most foodservice businesses, tea is still an afterthought. A box behind the counter. A quick pour of boiling water. No story, no care.

And yet… this doesn’t reflect your customers.

Tea Drinkers Are the Majority

In Ireland, around 70% of people drink tea.
That’s not a niche—it’s most of your customers.

And they’re not passive:

• They choose where groups go
• They come back regularly
• They shape your reputation

If your tea disappoints, it doesn’t just lose a sale—it risks the whole table.

Coffee Gets the Craft. Tea Gets Left Behind.

Operators invest heavily in coffee—sourcing, training, equipment—to satisfy the “discerning” drinker.

But here’s the truth:
Tea drinkers are just as discerning—they’ve just been conditioned to expect less.

They still notice:

• Weak, flavourless brews
• Cheap teabags
• Inconsistent quality
• Poor presentation

And it quietly affects how they judge your entire offering.

The Missed Opportunity

Improving your tea isn’t complicated—but it’s powerful.

Done well, it can:

• Elevate your brand instantly
• Increase repeat visits
• Create retail opportunities
• Differentiate you in a crowded market

Because while everyone competes on coffee…
very few are winning on tea.

What Good Tea Looks Like

It’s simple—treat tea with the same respect as coffee:

• Quality: Strong, consistent flavour
• Brewing: Fresh water, proper steep
• Presentation: Thoughtful, not rushed
• Story: A brand customers connect with

Why It Matters Now

Customers expect more—better coffee, better food, better experiences.

Tea is one of the last areas where expectations are still low.
That’s exactly why it’s such an opportunity.

Bringing Tea Back

At McEntee’s Tea, we help foodservice partners raise their tea standard:

• Award-winning blends (Blas na hÉireann & Great Taste)
• Proven in cafés for over 5 years
• Crafted for the strong, satisfying flavour people remember

Because great tea isn’t complicated—it’s just been overlooked.

The Question

You’ve invested in your coffee.
You’ve refined your food.

Are you giving 70% of your customers a reason to come back?
Or are tea drinkers still being ignored?