A pitcher of freshly brewed iced tea cooling in the refrigerator has become a familiar summer ritual for many households. That image reflects a broader shift in consumer preferences. 66% of consumers have already moved toward lower-sugar or lower-calorie options, as more people look for beverages that align with changing health and lifestyle priorities. Against that backdrop, tea is finding renewed relevance across seasons and occasions, offering consumers a customizable drink that can be prepared at home and adapted to individual tastes.
That shift creates an interesting backdrop for Tastings Tea, a Florida-based tea company founded in 2021 by Kyle Wygonski. What began as an experiment with three tea blends has gradually evolved into a business offering various blends, with a focus on whole leaf teas, approachable pricing, and a taste-first experience.
According to Wygonski, Tastings Tea sources teas from several regions across Asia, including matcha from Japan, green teas from China, and ingredients used in its English Breakfast blend from India. He explains the business as a family-owned tea company focused on small-batch, whole leaf teas, with a collection that spans traditional teas, herbal blends, and seasonal offerings. From his perspective, that breadth of selection is intended to give consumers options for both hot and iced preparation while maintaining the company's emphasis on flavor, variety, and everyday enjoyment.
"We started with three blends simply to see whether people would respond to specialty tea," Wygonski says. "As customers continued to come back, the business kept evolving. Every new blend was guided by what people enjoyed drinking and the flavors they wanted to experience again."
The timing may be favorable for tea-focused brands. The global matcha tea market was valued at approximately $5.47 billion in 2026 and is projected to reach nearly $8.86 billion by 2033, reflecting continued consumer interest in tea-based beverages and wellness-oriented consumption habits.
From Wygonski's perspective, that broader interest has helped introduce more consumers to premium tea experiences. He notes that many customers are increasingly interested in creating beverages at home, whether that means preparing iced tea for gatherings, experimenting with different sweeteners, or building daily routines around specific blends.
One of the defining characteristics of Tastings Tea is its emphasis on whole leaf tea. According to the company, whole leaf teas use unbroken leaves, which can contribute to a fuller flavor profile and allow multiple steepings from the same serving. Wygonski notes that this approach aligns with its goal of delivering both quality and value.
"The focus has always been on flavor," Wygonski explains. "If the tea tastes great, people notice it immediately. Everything else follows from that experience."
That philosophy extends beyond the tea itself. Wygonski says the company deliberately pursued elegant packaging without positioning the product as exclusive. The objective, he notes, was to create a presentation that feels refined while remaining accessible to everyday consumers.
The product range also reflects a belief that tea can serve different purposes throughout the year. During warmer months, several blends are marketed for iced tea preparation. Other products are intended for evening routines, including the company's Dream Tea blend featuring ingredients such as chamomile, lemongrass, and valerian root. According to Wygonski, variety allows customers to build beverage habits around different occasions rather than treating tea as a seasonal purchase.
"We want people to see tea as something they can enjoy year-round," he says. "There is room for iced tea in the summer, traditional teas during the day, and calming blends in the evening. The variety gives people the freedom to create their own experience."
Looking ahead, Wygonski believes that customization will continue shaping consumer beverage preferences. From experimenting with sweeteners to creating large batches for family gatherings, he sees tea as a flexible foundation for personalized routines.
"At its best, tea is simple," he says. "It is about finding flavors you genuinely enjoy and making them part of your day. If we can help people discover that experience through approachable, elegant products, then we are doing exactly what we set out to do."
