The group has launched its sixth London site on Brick Lane today (5 December) and confirmed it had ‘multiple London openings’ planned for next year due to the ‘resurgence of interest in quality tea’.
It comes after Mintel research found that tea was becoming increasingly popular with younger diners, with those aged 25-34 twice as likely to drink speciality teas compared to over 55’s.
No builder's brew
Josh Mordecai, managing director of Yumchaa, said: “Although there’s been a trend towards Brits drinking less tea in favour of coffee, speciality teas such as matcha and herbal blends are booming. People are more concerned with their health and they care more about quality.”
Yumchaa serves over 50 varieties of loose leaf tea including Chocolate Ginger Snap; Soho Spice with Orange Peel, Cloves and Almond; and Chilli Chilli Bang Bang.
Each cafe uses a filtration system to heat water to specific temperatures to stop more delicate green and white tea blends from burning.
The company said it hopes to ‘do for tea what other London cafes have done for coffee’.
“Tea drinkers want the same quality that coffee drinkers can enjoy,” said Mordecai. “Low-grade tea bags just don’t cut it anymore!”
Yumchaa began as a London market stall in 2006 and has since expanded to five cafes across the capital.
It is one of a growing number of London teahouse concepts including Marylebone's Amanzi Tea, Good & Proper Tea in Shoreditch, and Camellia’s Tea House in Covent Garden.
Yumchaa’s latest venue is open at the former Duke's Motto pub at 137 Brick Lane.