These U.S. States Are the Most Obsessed With Herbal Tea: And What the Trend Reveals About American Wellness
As searches for herbal tea continue to rise across the U.S., new data reveals where interest in these caffeine-free, routine-based beverages is strongest and what this trend may suggest about stress, rest, and changing wellness habits in America.
To understand how interest in herbal tea varies across regions, we analyzed search volumes for the top herbal tea categories across all 50 states and normalized the results per 1,000 residents.
This approach enables the ranking to accurately reflect true per capita interest, rather than just population size.
The findings highlight clear regional patterns and raise a broader question: Is America’s growing fascination with herbal tea linked to rising stress and wellness concerns?
Key Findings (At a Glance)
- California ranks #1 in herbal tea interest per 1,000 residents.
- Northeastern and West Coast states show the strongest concentrated search demand.
- Sleep-related and calming teas appear frequently across high-stress urban regions.
- Digestive-related searches show stronger activity in southern and midwestern states.
- Normalized data reveal that small and mid-sized states often have higher per-capita interest than larger states.
Top 10 States Most Obsessed With Herbal Tea
These are the states where residents search for herbal tea the most intensely.
These top-ranking states show exceptionally high per-capita interest, suggesting strong wellness cultures, high stress levels, or both.
What’s Driving the Herbal Tea Surge?
The search patterns suggest that the rising popularity of herbal tea is shaped not only by taste preference but also by lifestyle and wellness behaviors.
1. Stress-Related Searches
States with high population density and demanding work cultures show increased searches tied to calming or evening routines. This may indicate a rising interest in relaxation habits.
2. Sleep-Oriented Queries
Search volume for teas commonly associated with nighttime routines including “sleep tea” and “bedtime tea” appears consistently high nationwide.
3. Digestive & Everyday Wellness Interest
States across the South and Midwest show above-average activity in searches linked to digestive comfort, rituals, and daily wellness habits.
4. Post-Pandemic Routine Shifts
Patterns suggest that Americans may be continuing habits adopted during and after the pandemic—such as at-home comfort rituals, caffeine reduction, or general wellness exploration.
5. Caffeine-Free Alternatives Gain Momentum
Many states with colder climates or strong wellness cultures show higher interest in evening beverages that support calm and unplugging.
Regional Insights From the Data
1. Northeast: Dense Wellness Interest
Smaller states with urban populations — such as Massachusetts and New Jersey — show strong per-capita search behavior, suggesting concentrated interest in daily wellness routines.
2. West Coast: Strongest Overall Demand
California dominates the ranking. Search patterns indicate high exploration of herbal tea categories associated with calming routines, digestive comfort, and wellness trends.
3. Southern States: Functional Routine Searches
Georgia, Florida, and Texas show elevated interest in herbal teas commonly searched in connection with daily comfort, relaxation, and general wellness habits.
4. Midwest: Rest & Recovery Patterns
States like Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana show notable search activity in categories linked with evening routines and stress-related behaviors.
Top Herbal Tea Search Categories (National Overview)
Instead of listing benefits, this section focuses on search behavior, not health claims.
- Calming & evening routine teas: Frequently searched in high-stress metro regions
- Digestive-related tea searches: Widely seen in southern and midwestern states
- Floral and caffeine-free blends: Consistent nationwide growth
- Fruit-based and hibiscus-style teas: Especially popular in warm-weather states
- Green & wellness-oriented teas show steady interest across coastal regions
These categories illustrate how Americans explore different types of herbal tea depending on lifestyle habits and wellness curiosity.
Complete Ranking Data
Here is the complete dataset where residents search for herbal tea the most, sorted from highest to lowest:
Why This Matters
Herbal tea searches offer a unique lens into how Americans are navigating stress, rest, and daily routines. This rising interest reflects:
- a cultural shift toward evening rituals
- continued curiosity about natural or caffeine-free alternatives
- lifestyle changes driven by work stress, digital overload, and busier schedules
The data does not prove why individuals search for herbal tea, but it suggests growing engagement with wellness-oriented habits that require no major lifestyle change.
Conclusion:
Herbal tea has become more than a pantry staple. It is part of a broader American shift toward routines centered on calm, rest, and everyday wellness. Whether motivated by stress, sleep concerns, or simple lifestyle preference, the data shows that interest continues to climb nationwide.
As wellness behaviors evolve, search patterns like these offer valuable insight into how Americans adapt their daily habits to meet emotional and lifestyle needs.
Methodology
NaturalEvity compiled search data for 12 major herbal tea categories across all 50 U.S. states.
Total search volumes were aggregated by state. 2024/2025 U.S. Census estimates were used for population normalization.
Normalized score formula:
Herbal Tea Searches per 1,000 Residents = (Total Searches ÷ State Population) × 1,000.
States were ranked based on their normalized search interest.