CNA938 Rewind - Spilling the tea: How modern Asian tea brands are reshaping the tea culture

Once seen as an everyday beverage, tea is now becoming a lifestyle statement – shaped by Gen Z tastes, social media aesthetics and the growing cultural influence of China and wider East Asia. On International Tea Day, we explore how tea culture in Singapore has evolved from traditional kopitiam teh to sleek, premium tea experiences led by brands like Chagee and Molly Tea. Why are consumers willing to pay more for tea, and what does this say about Singapore’s changing identity and cafe culture? Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman speak with Lim Tai Wei, Professor of Business at Soka University, to find out.