With more and more consumers shifting from mainstream sodas to natural beverages that contain ingredients with health benefits, the Ready-to-Drink (RTD) tea market is booming. In fact, sales of tea and RTD tea increased 6.1%, reaching $5 billion in value in 2013, and are projected to reach $8.3 billion in 2014.
 
To meet this growing consumer demand Zone 8 Beverages, Oakbrook Terrace, IL, has developed a line of teas blended with natural ingredients for consumer looking for a healthy alternative to artificial, overly processed teas. Zone 8’s teas are brewed using premium organic ingredients, including super teas, spices, fruit juices, pure cane sugar and honey.
 
Zone’s 8 line of flavors include Honey Lemon Tea, Red Rooibos Tea & Pomegranate Tea, Agua de Jamaica Hibiscus Tea, Black and Green Teas, Tee Time (Half Tea/Half Lemonade), Masala Spice Tea and Prickly Pear Limeade.
 
“Our recipes have been developed by our team and are traditional culturally-relevant beverages from around the world, with no artificial or genetically-modified ingredients,” says Tim Megenbier, president and co-founder of Zone 8 Beverages. “Zone 8’s teas are composed of only real, premium ingredients found in nature, providing the different communities throughout America with teas that provide that ‘home’ feeling and taste.”
 
Currently, Zone 8’s lineup includes 3 flavors that are Non-GMO Project Verified and 4 flavors that are USDA organic certified; Red Rooibos & Pomegranate Tea, Agua de Jamaica Hibiscus Tea and Unsweetened Black Tea are both Non-GMO Project Verified and USDA Organic certified and bare the seals for both. Honey Lemon Tea is certified 70% organic.