In your specialty coffee business, fine coffees and quality espresso drinks should be your primary focus: however, you would be wise to plan a menu that includes some tea beverages. Featured below are some ideas for you try and broaden your customer base.

Gourmet Hot Tea
Tea is a popular beverage that can be found at almost every coffee-serving establishment. Black teas account for 94% of tea consumption in the United States. Harvested green tea leaves are exposed to oxygen for several hours. As the tea leaves oxidize, they turn from green to almost black. It is this oxidation that gives tea its hardy flavor.

Green tea is the most widely consumed tea in Asia. The green tea leaves are steamed or fired to prevent oxidation. Green teas contain less caffeine than black teas, and tend to possess a more delicate "grassy" flavor. Green teas have gained widespread media attention for their health promoting, antioxidant properties.

Oolong teas are considered a cross between black teas and green teas. The green tea leaves are briefly withered in the sun, and then pan-fried or fired over charcoal. They typically offer complex flavors with fruity-floral nuances. They are the tea of choice for many professionals and enthusiasts.

Flavored and scented teas are made with tea leaves that have been exposed to flowers or fruits. The tea leaves absorb these flavors and aromas. Jasmine flowers and orange peel are two popular ingredients use flavor and scent black teas.

Finally, there are herbal teas, which most often contain no tea leaves at all. They are made from dried flowers, berries, roots, peels and leaves. Peppermint, chamomile, rose petals, hibiscus, lavender, and ginger are all common ingredients from which herbal teas can be made.

Iced Teas
Iced Tea is a popular warm weather drink. In the southern U.S. "sweet tea" (brewed tea incorporating dissolved sugar) is a staple at most places that serve food. Many high quality teas have been blended and packaged specifically for iced tea brewing. Ask your tea distributor for brewing recommendations.
   
While automatic tea brewers are a preferred method, if iced tea sales are expected to be an insignificant portion of your total sales, you may want to consider just using your coffee brewer for iced tea preparation. If you use your coffee brewer for tea, be sure to purchase an extra filter basket, so the flavor of your coffee and tea do not become cross contaminated. The finished iced tea can be stored in a pitcher in your refrigerator.

Flavored iced tea is a beverage option that is immediately popular with consumers Sales of bottled flavored iced teas have enjoyed amazing success. You can offer fresh brewed iced tea by the cup, flavored with the customer's choice of a gourmet syrup. Popular flavors include peach, raspberry, and mango.

Chai
Chai is the term used for tea in India. In America, chai is though of as a sweetened, spiced tea, combined with milk. In India, "masala chai" is the actual term used for this method of preparation.

Chai is popular beverage in coffee bars, and is often thought of as a spice tea latte. The sweetened, spiced tea concentrate is usually available in either liquid or powdered form. Each manufacturer will specify the recommended ratio of concentrate milk to achieve a balanced, desirable flavor. Chai can be served hot, or over ice.

Blended Tea Drinks & Bubble Tea
As long as we are addressing variations on teas, we should talk about the popular new line of iced and blended tea beverages that have emerged on the market. A number of manufacturers have introduced tea-based products that can be served over ice, or blended into an icy refresher. These products range from concentrated fruit purees incorporating tea, to powdered, sweetened, green tea-based beverages flavored with fruits, flowers, or spices. Typically these beverage concentrates and mixes only require the addition of ice, and water, milk, or brewed ice tea.

Bubble tea, popular beverage in Southeast Asia, has also found its way to the U.S. A sweetened, flavored, green tea base is usually mixed with milk to create an iced beverage. Tapioca balls are deposited in the cup prior to the addition of the ice and liquid. These balls add an interesting dimension to the drink. The consumer sips and chews their way through the beverage experience. You should be aware that the tapioca balls need to be cooked in a steamer or an electric rice cooker prior to use.
   
These product recommendations are from Bellissimo's coffee shop start up manual Bean Business Basics and Everything BUT Coffee, a video that focuses exclusively on menu expansion to maximize your profitability.