Gen Z have cancelled the builder's brew! Survey reveals classic cuppas have fallen out of favour - with youngsters now opting for trendy matchas and green teas

Published: 08:59 EDT, 27 October 2026 | Updated: 08:59 EDT, 27 October 2026 The builder's brew is facing extinction, as Gen Z swap traditional tea for trendy matcha, green tea and herbal drinks, a survey suggests.New research reveals young Britons are turning their backs on everything from English Breakfast tea and Earl Grey to cappuccinos and flat whites.Longstanding tea rituals such as using teapots, tea cosies and even dunking biscuits are also falling out of favour.The research even found a resounding 81 per cent of under-30s now order something other than tea or coffee when visiting a café.Rowena Roos, Global Head of Food and Drinks Experience at Oatly, which commissioned the report, said: 'People are experimenting with new flavours, looking for new textures and expecting more from what's in their cup.'The beloved cuppa isn't going anywhere just yet, but it's definitely got some competition.'The survey revealed younger Brits no longer opt for a traditional tea or coffee. A resounding 81 per cent of under-30s now order something other than tea or coffee when visiting a caféThe poll of 2,000 Brits found English Breakfast tea tops the list of drinks deemed old-fashioned, followed by Earl Grey, tea with cow's milk and two sugars, cappuccinos and flat whites.Matcha is the most popular alternative, followed by chai and herbal or botanical drinks.Younger Brits are also embracing everything from plain water and warm milk to green tea and decaf coffee.Almost two-thirds of respondents even said they believe they can tell how old someone is simply by what they drink.And the traditional rituals surrounding a brew are also losing their appeal.Almost a third reckon tea cosies and teapots belong in the past, while 22 per cent dismiss sugar lumps and loose-leaf tea.Even dunking a biscuit is considered outdated by one in five, while 16 per cent turn their noses up at having a biscuit with their brew altogether.Despite changing preferences, the research found that the nation's love of a catch-up over a drink remains.More than four in five regularly meet friends or family over a hot drink, while 72 per cent would rather meet for coffee than head to the pub. 'Builders' brew' – tea that's typically strong, white and sweetened with plenty of sugar – is falling out of favour with the younger generation Flavoured coffees are booming too, with chocolate, vanilla and caramel the favourites, while cinnamon, coconut and ginger are tipped as rising stars.Seasonal norms are also being turned on their head, with 46 per cent saying they'd happily sip an iced coffee even in the middle of winter. Oatly's Future of Taste report also draws on more than 200 interviews with drinks experts across 21 countries, exploring the changing tastes transforming café culture.'The experts we spoke to around the world told us café menus are about to look very different, and it turns out that Brits are already ordering from that menu,' Ms Roos said.A separate survey of 1,000 tradespeople, published last year, revealed the traditional builder's brew has had a modern update.Contrary to popular belief, the perfect builder's brew should not be boiling.Instead, the results suggest tradespeople prefer a cuppa that's 'just cool enough to sip comfortably'.What's more, the tea bag should only be brewed for one minute and 53 seconds, resulting in a 'balanced medium shade'.