Tea culture is far from dead...

... but it is taking a pounding and is on the retreat for now.

According to a new Reuters article:
'tea has little appeal for Asian youth who don't have the patience to wait the 10 minutes it takes to brew tea in the traditional way.

"I don't have any time or relevant tea culture," said Becca Liu, a 25-year-old college graduate in Taipei. "I'm more curious to know how to make coffee," she added.'

'Younger drinkers prefer canned tea, powdered tea, soft drinks and coffee. They increasingly refer to traditional tea as "old people's drink." '

This echoes some points I made in a previous blog article Are you a coffee or a tea person? especially about why coffee is ascendant and tea is in decline.

Although tea culture is far from gone, it has to do something to make it hip and youthful again.

"Determined to restore tea to its exalted status in Asia, tea lovers are trying to repackage tea as a funky new-age brew to a young generation more inclined to slurp down a can of artificially-flavored tea than to sip the real thing."

As the article goes on it hits on a good point. Tea promoters should probably be stressing the supposedly healthy properties of tea (coffee is also touted every once in a while for its healthy properties).

"In Japan, a new tea line is winning fans among young Japanese with its claims to reduce body fat, while a South Korean brand called "17 Tea" is popular for its claims to blend teas that cure a host of ills."

This linking is certain to make weight conscious girls take a glimpse but what about the boys???

Elton John Cafe is Still Standing (Yeah Yeah Yeah)

I am surprised that no one has used a flame-thrower on this baby, especially when thinking of the impression given by Elton John on his first (and last) visit to the island in 2004.

Cornered by the paparazzi at the airport, John blurted out:

“Rude, vile pigs!” a fuming Sir John yelled at the group as he went through customs and immigration. “Do you know what that means? Rude, vile pigs! That’s what all of you are!”

“Why don’t you get out of Taiwan?!” shouted back one of the paparazzi."

“We’d love to get out of Taiwan if it’s full of people like you! Pig! Pig!” John retorted.

Just a big misunderstanding. We think so.

Well, welcome to the Year of the Pig, Elton. Have a cup of Taiwanese coffee on the house!

(Do I feel my spider-sense tingling, informing me of imminent lawsuits coming this coffee house's way???)

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,133288,00.html

To Asia: Are you a coffee or a tea person?

These two cups may look innocuous but they are in a huge slug-fest here in Asia. More than ever, people in Asia seem to be turning towards coffee culture.

I'm not saying that tea culture will disappear completely but, if it wants to flourish again, it needs to reform and revitalize.

Coffee has a couple of really strong points going for it:

a) Coffee is the stronger stimulant. It's exactly what sleep deprived students and workers here crave.

b) Coffee exudes a modern and fresh, international image. Coffee shops have a modern feel and a business like setting, even offering Wi-Fi service for customers. Tea house are generally more traditional looking and leisurely in nature. On top of this, coffee is the new guy on the block. There's always allure to things that are new and have a more international flavor (when compared to the common, stale and domestic feeling of tea).

For now, young Taiwanese are saying "coffee" to the questions of coffee versus tea. How long it stays this way remains unsure but they are making a choice that their parents may have never made.

Let the stimulant drink war begin!