Last Updated on July 27, 2024 by DesignerPeople
Relax! Have a cup of coffee or tea. Does it feel like you are in tension free zone? Absolutely YES.
Hot tea for winters and ice tea for summers. Moreover how hot the weather is; we still like to have a hot cup of tea after a long tiring day. Stress being one of the most important reasons for few of the killer diseases, Tea in any form, green tea, ice tea, hot tea etc beats the STRESS.
In our childhood and now also we love to dip those biscuits and breads in hot tea and enjoy that awesome taste. In monsoons have it with those crisp and hot “Pakoras”, Simply Yummy! It’s a Universal drink and economical too. Different types of flavors are there in market. Organic Green tea lovers have increased in last few years.
But not to forget, Tea Packaging Design also plays a very important role to get that particular attention among so many competitors around. Taj Mahal, Tetley, Tata, Lipton are few of the top brands in tea industry.

Tea leafs are very delicate and to retain its aroma it should be designed and packed in airtight material and not to forget, should be stored in air tight containers for re-use and to maintain its aroma. That is why vacuum packing is in demand to keep its freshness 100% till it reaches the consumers.
To be more Eco-friendly, Creative Packaging Design of tea is mostly done in cardboard boxes. As tea soothes the mind, we can design and label them with soothing colors and attractive tag lines to make the packaging unique and nice.
Tea still dominates various special occasions collaborating with fries, cookies, and multiple other snacking items. Tea plays essential role in a lot of social gatherings, friend’s get-togethers and offering tea for guest is still a ritual followed in India.
In today’s era, tea is more than just a beverage. In India, you will find a lot of “chai ki tapri” (small tea stall). Where a cup of tea and a few biscuits, even a stranger will become your friend. India being the largest producers in tea business, while 70% of tea consumed inside India. Brewing techniques are upcoming day by day, but in whatever way it is brewing, tea in India has become part of everyone’s life now.
Since consumption is high, this has to lead to high demand, a saturation of tea sellers will also increase creating fierce competition. To sustain this, one has to be versatile with their branding skills.
As Seth Godin “The key to success is to find a way to stand out – to be the purple cow in the field of the monochrome Holsteins” so how to be a purple cow? Plan to deliver a branded experience!
There are massive varieties of tea depending upon their USP and benefits while each type is having its distinct features and hence preferred by the different target group of people.

Table of Contents
History
In India, 1662 the semi medicinal use of tea brew is noted by Mendelslo:
At our regular meetings every day we took only, which is commonly used all over the Indies, not only among those of the country but also among the Dutch and the English. They take it as a drug that cleanses the stomach, and digests the superfluous humour, by a moderate heat particular to it.
— Indian Food A Historical Companion by Achaya K. T. source
China is known as the place where tea was born, which was almost 5,000 years ago. In 2732 B.C. Emperor Shen Nung discovered tea when leaves from a wild tree blew into his pot of boiling water.
Revenue in the Tea segment amounts to US$199,382.9m in the year 2020. It is expected that the market for tea will grow annually by 9.8% (CAGR 2020-2025). In worldwide comparison, the majority of the revenue is generated in China (US$78,699m in 2020). Source
As of 2019, India was the second-largest tea producer in the world with production of 1,339.70 million kgs. During January-February 2020*, estimated production of tea stood at 30.54 million kgs.


Branded experience
When we talk about the branded experience, it is a process of creating memorable, pleasant movements delivering the brand promise and satisfying critical needs.Designing should be visually appealing and should connect emotionally in such a way that it sustains in the memory of the user.
To understand in-depth let’s indulge into an example of brand YogiTea

Branded experience can stand out with three elements as such:

1.Getting into Niche
YogiTea is into ayurvedic tea recipes with 44 different teas. Each flavour promoting its health benefits such as detox, wellbeing, throat, breathe deep and many more. Each tea has its creative name and meaning. Bright mood portrays “Everything is Good”.Target audience, specifically for this type of tea, is yoga practitioners in the world. Yoga is a form which more and more people are adopting. Going to be a boom in the coming future so this niche market is having huge potential and a great place to be, which is traced by a brand like YogiTea.

2.Brand Values
Packaging design and all other marketing elements should depict brand values. In the case of YogiTea, their value is promoting individual wellbeing “feel good, be good and do good”.The information on the purity of ingredients should render on the packaging. Their website portrays CSR contributions and funding for people in need across the globe. These are their brand values, which are making them distinctive and unique.

3.Brand Packaging Design
These days people are offering fine quality, affordability, aroma and more features but what is that which makes your tea branding to stand out? That is to communicate your value proposition of brand through creative tea packaging design.

There are factors which should be considered while planning to design packaging for tea

1.Origin
Each country and its connection with tea is different such as India is a country with tea as the national drink, and you will find tea at every corner of the street and even when you visit as a guest to any house.
While in Japan, it is part of the food culture where green tea is majorly famous. In New Zealand tea are connected type of tea and its health benefits while morocco mint tea is part of hospitality while for Chinese art of making tea is very important. Hence depending upon its importance given as per traditional values, packaging design is executed.

2.Types of Tea
Depending upon the type of tea, the images, graphical representation, font style, process, personality, colours, brand story and value propositions are added, which can be health benefits.

a) Black Tea
Black tea is accounting for up to 85% of total tea consumption in the western world. The process for making black tea is value-oriented and hence can be shown through packaging by letting the leaf to fully oxidize during production.
Therefore results are the characteristic dark brown and black leaf with typically more robust and pronounced flavours.

Source: behance.net/gallery/53678615/Cariad-Tea-Packaging?tracking_source=search_projects_recommended%7Cblack%20tea%20packaging%20design

Source: behance.net/gallery/89639419/Adour-Black-Tea-Packaging-Design?tracking_source=search_projects_recommended%7Cblack%20tea%20packaging%20design

source: pinterest.fr/pin/56506170303146030/

Source: packagingoftheworld.com/2020/06/te-finest-chinese-tea.html


b) Green Tea
A lot of positive benefits of green tea and are typically steeped for a small quantity of time and at lower temperatures which producing a lighter cup with less caffeine. The infusion is greenish yellow in pale shade and tastes light.
It is best to consume without any additives, although some may prefer to add lemon or a sweetener but not milk. How to make a cup of tea is also mentioned on the back of packaging design.

Source: packagingoftheworld.com/2019/05/fabsta.html

Source: behance.net/gallery/103309801/Nateave-Tea-Packaging?tracking_source=search_projects_recommended%7Ctea%20packaging%20design

Source: packagingoftheworld.com/2019/04/allos-tea.html

Source: packagingoftheworld.com/2020/06/eve-matcha-green-tea.html

c) White Tea
White tea is less processed tea and unopened buds; young leaves are covered in silver fuzz while they are merely withered and dried. White tea produces a very light coloured with a mild flavour.
It is usually known for its premium personality with lots of antioxidants and to display that is very important in designing.

Source: dribbble.com/shots/10877210-Tea-Packaging-Design-Brand-Identity

Source: sribu.com/en/packaging-design/contests/desain-packaging-white-tea-liki-57b56733f714f24bb7000002?tab=brief


d) Oolong Tea
Oolong tea is semi-oxidized, where the leaf is allowed to sit for maybe 2-4 hours, before being heated up to halt oxidization.
When steeped, it produces golden or light brown tea with a very delicate flavour resembling neither black nor green tea.

Source: charliesmithdesign.com/projects/dragonfly-tea-tea-house-collection/

Source: behance.net/gallery/102562925/LTea?tracking_source=search_projects_recommended%7Cblack%20tea%20packaging%20design


e) Pu-erh Tea
It comes from the Yunan province of China and is earthy in flavour. It is made with tea plucked from wild tea trees instead of bushes and the leaves go through microbial fermentation by pressing the raw leaves together and then storing them for maturity.
Flavours with flowers, herbs, fruits and other natural flavours while some of the flavoured teas are Earl Grey, Jasmine, Masala chai for immunity, many other along with herbal tresses, leaves and fruits.

source: in.pinterest.com/pin/133630313917057064/

Source: packagingoftheworld.com/2019/01/hampstead-tea-compostable-pyramid-tea.html

Source: packagingoftheworld.com/2019/03/family-tea.html

Source: packagingoftheworld.com/2016/05/asda-own-label-tea-range.html


3.USP of product
Each product has its unique quality which can communicate with the target audience with the correct balance of design and text or maybe a tagline. Quality, Aroma, Manufacturing process, Taste, origin, health and mental values will always add value proposition to your product.

4.Type of packaging
The best quality of tea is sustained if you go ahead with the correct and effective packaging type.
Depending upon the type of tea, the suitable packaging should be selected hence check out below:

1.Foil Stand-up pouches
If you are into the business of loose leaf tea, then this kind of packaging is the best solution for you.
The bottom gusset is wides; it allows the bag to stand vertical. The aluminium foil allows the zip-lock facility, which will keep tea fresh for longer.
2.Paper Pouches
These are not having the facility of air sealing due to paper as material; hence the life span of tea is short, but yes instant earthy tea with small quantities can use this kind. A lot of variety in colours is also seen with different sizes.

3.Foil gusseted bags
There can be the centre, side, and quad seal bags which is having seals up to the corners to give better base and are majorly made with matte K seal. They are very popular to store tea and are available in many colour options.

4.TeaBox
It is a company which plucks the finest tea leaves and delivers it to consumers within a week. They deal with direct tea users, in fact, tea lovers and not with retailers or wholesalers. Packaging design is kept very minimalistic. The box is coloured brown and is soothing to the eyes. You will get unboxing surprise once you open up the box you will find a splash of coloured pouches.
Three pouches are filled with nitrogen, which is natural nitrogen flush to keep the tea fresh. Colours of 3 pouches are orange, green and black each colour speaking such as orange for milk tea, black for black tea and green for green tea. To sustain its freshness, they used standup pouches with zip locks having a bottom gusset.


5.Corrugated disposable Paper Flask
Flask tea packaging acts as boon for today’s hectic lifestyle users. One can enjoy a sip of fresh and hot tea anytime ordering for flask tea. Maintenance of hygiene is high in case of flask tea.Colours used on it are very natural green and brown.
There are two components which makes flask tea packaging innovative and disposable friendly.
Corrugated box –The box saves the inner spout pouch from the rough handling and prevent heat dissipation.
Aluminium spout pouch – The three-layer spout keeps the hot liquid warm and cold beverage cool for a more extended period.


The more attractive the look, the more it catches the eyes of a consumer! Below are some catchy designs for you:-


Source: packagingoftheworld.com/2020/05/teaberry-collection-of-fruit-and-herbal.html

source: pinterest.co.uk/pin/551902129307074415/

Source: packagingoftheworld.com/2020/06/azerbaijan-tea.html

Source: asiamediastudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/BalungTea_Package_03.jpg

Source: packagingoftheworld.com/2020/04/sritea.html

Source: packagingoftheworld.com/2016/05/asda-own-label-tea-range.html

Source: packagingoftheworld.com/2016/05/asda-own-label-tea-range.html

Source: packagingoftheworld.com/2016/07/cerem-tea.html

Source: packagingoftheworld.com/2020/02/the-thirtea-nine.html

Source: s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/centaur-wp/designweek/prod/content/uploads/2014/06/Gaiety-3x-packs_NEW-1002×668.jpg

Source: packagingoftheworld.com/2020/04/ivantea.html

source: in.pinterest.com/pin/648025833861434885/

Source: packagingoftheworld.com/2020/06/chailand.html

Source: packagingoftheworld.com/2019/04/elixir-teasticks.html

Source: packagingoftheworld.com/2015/04/fortnum-mason-famous-tea-range-re-design.html

Source: packagingoftheworld.com/2019/03/gurieli-tea-gardens.html

Source: packagingoftheworld.com/2019/05/world-of-matcha-organic-matcha.html

Source: behance.net/gallery/89950669/Package-Design-?tracking_source=search_projects_recommended%7Ctea%20packaging%20design

Source: packagingoftheworld.com/2019/02/echo.html

Source: packagingoftheworld.com/2018/12/two-for-tea.html

Source: packagingoftheworld.com/2015/07/ayres-de-blends.html

Source: packagingoftheworld.com/2019/06/pure-leaf.html

Source: packagingoftheworld.com/2019/10/askul-ceylon-tea.html

Source: packagingoftheworld.com/2017/03/nilufer-organic-herb-tea.html
CONCLUSION
No matter what best qualities your tea is having but unless it is not communicated its waste of time.
So connect us today, and we will plan best packaging design for you as per your type of tea and the personality of your brand.
Future of tea packaging will focus more on eco-friendly packaging using sustainable materials; brands are establishing themselves into an organic section. Increasing awareness about health and wellness people today consider tea as part of their health regime. Branding plays a vital role in building brand identity and image.
I am sure there must be people who are inspired by above branding aspects. If you need any help and support contact DesignerPeople a Branding agency , who believe branding can do miracles irrespective of your company size.
Q. What is the best packaging for tea?
A. Barrier bags are considered the best packaging for tea leaves. The form of packaging can protect the product from harmful factors, and the double protection makes sure that the exquisite leaves are protected from UV rays. Apart from bags, glass, aluminium, plastic, tinplate, and paper are essential for packaging tea.
Q. What are the different types of packaging?
A. The different types of tea packaging include barrier bags, glass, aluminium, plastic and paper considered according to the nature of the product.
Q. What material is used for tea packaging?
A.The different types of tea packaging material include barrier bags, glass, aluminium, plastic and paper, considered according to the nature of the product.
Q. How do you brand tea?
A.You can brand your tea business by having a proper brand strategy, positioning and personality, thus properly pitching in the market. You can successfully develop your tea brand with the proper brand name, logo, packaging design, website design, and digital marketing.
Author: Anush Malik

Being a strategist’s head and a long term visionary personality aims to achieve excellence in branding, packaging and digital marketing field. My 15 years of design experience and masters degree ais my strength which keeps me motivated and keep me going positively. I have participated in extensive branding design conquests in India, USA, Australia and New Zealand with winning zeal. My objective is to encourage start-ups and hence involves actively in the articles which will act as a productive intake of knowledge for them. Do connect me personally via my LinkedIn and I love to share my expertise with you.
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