Tea sales are rising after decades of decline as people abandon pricey cappuccinos and buy more green and herbal teas for their alleged health benefits.

“The decline has stopped,” said William Gorman, chairman of the UK Tea Council, adding that the tea market was expected to grow by 3 per cent this year, with speciality teas likely to boost sales by as much as 25 per cent. “[People] are waking up to the fact that tea is mostly water and antioxidants.”