Coffee and tea are two of the most everyday products in the world. They accompany mornings, business meetings, conversations and moments of relaxation. However, there is a much broader story behind every cup – one of trade, culture, consumer behaviour, social change, economics and global supply chains.

It was this broader perspective that formed the starting point for Dr Sylwia Mokrysz, President of the Coffee and Tea Market Research Institute, during her visit to the UK in May. The itinerary covered London, Cambridge and Edinburgh, combining participation in industry events with meetings with representatives of the international coffee and tea community, business discussions and the promotion of research into the hot drinks market.

The UK – a blend of tradition and modern market

For years, the UK has been a key reference point in Europe for tea culture and trade, as well as for the development of reflection on the market for everyday consumer products. It is also home to an important academic community with a long-standing tradition of economics, marketing and consumer behaviour research.

From this perspective, the May trip was significant not only from an industry standpoint, but also from scientific and institutional ones. It demonstrated that coffee and tea can be analysed as product categories, as well as cultural, social and economic phenomena.

Tea Trade Dinner – relationships, trust and the global tea market

One of the highlights of the visit was attending the prestigious annual Tea Trade Dinner in London, a gathering of representatives from the international tea industry.

The event brought together producers, exporters, importers, brokers and experts from companies and organisations involved in the global tea market. Such meetings demonstrate that while tea remains an industry strongly based on relationships, experience and trust, it is also increasingly facing new challenges such as climate change, cost pressures, consumer expectations and the need for more responsible development models.

For the Coffee and Tea Market Research Institute, participation in the event offered an opportunity to discuss the current situation in the sector, shifts in consumer preferences and the future of the tea market from an international perspective.

Women in Tea and Coffee Conference 2026 – leadership and change in the industry

The focal point of the visit was attendance in the Women in Tea and Coffee Conference 2026, which took place on 6 May 2026 in London.

The conference brought together female leaders from the coffee and tea industries across Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas. The programme featured panel discussions on topics such as leadership, entrepreneurship, brand building, sustainable supply chains and the role of women in developing the global hot drinks sector.

The event demonstrated that the modern coffee and tea market is evolving in many ways, including through new products, technologies and sales models. New styles of leadership, international cooperation and the increased visibility of women shaping the strategies, brands, organisations and development directions of the entire industry are also becoming increasingly important.

‘Taking part in this conference was an incredibly inspiring experience. Meeting the women who are shaping the global coffee and tea market shows how important knowledge, courage and international cooperation are,’ emphasises Dr Sylwia Mokrysz.

Coffee and Tea Marketing Journal – science closer to the market

A key element of the visit was the promotion of the Coffee and Tea Marketing Journal, an international academic journal dedicated to coffee and tea market research.

The latest issue was presented to participants at the Women in Tea and Coffee Conference 2026. A preview of the next issue was also symbolically presented at the Cambridge University Press Bookshop in Cambridge in the following days.

The Journal’s activities align closely with the mission of the Coffee and Tea Market Research Institute. Its aim is to create a space where everyday products – coffee and tea – become the subject of in-depth academic, market-related and social reflection. This is particularly important at a time when changes in consumer behaviour, growth in the premium segment, digitalisation and the increasing importance of quality and environmental responsibility are having an ever-greater impact on the future of both categories.

From academia to market practice

During the visit to the UK, places associated with science and economics, including the University of Cambridge, the Cambridge University Press Bookshop and the London School of Economics and Political Science, provided an important context.

These elements of the programme emphasised the importance of reliable research when analysing global markets, consumer behaviour and socio-economic changes. In this context, coffee and tea are no longer just products on a shop shelf. Instead, they become a starting point for discussions about daily rituals, purchasing decisions, lifestyle changes and market trends.

The programme was complemented by business talks in Edinburgh, which enabled us to compare the research perspective with the practical realities of operating in the British market.

The international perspective of the Institute

The May visit to the UK showed that coffee and tea are now much more than just product categories. They are areas where the history of trade, everyday culture, science, business, leadership and international cooperation converge.

For the Coffee and Tea Market Research Institute, the visit presented an opportunity to strengthen its international presence, promote the Coffee and Tea Marketing Journal and develop relationships with representatives from the worlds of science and industry. Such activities support the Institute’s mission to advance research, exchange knowledge and enhance the understanding of the coffee and tea market as a vital part of the contemporary economy and consumer culture.