Lingnan study finds more young people drink tea than soft drinks regularly; Half respondents regard flavoured tea as Chinese tea

To understand their awareness of and interest in the Chinese tea culture, the Asia-Pacific Institute of Ageing Studies at Lingnan University conducted a public opinion survey and analysis of the tea consumption habits of young people in the Hong Kong SAR. The findings show that more than three quarters of respondents drink Chinese tea regularly. However, as many as half also drink “flavoured tea” with sugar, floral flavours or milk frequently. The proportion of young people who drink tea regularly was significantly higher than soft and speciality drinks, although more than one third were unfamiliar with the health benefits of tea. Scholars point out that parents exert a strong influence on young people’s tea-drinking habits and suggest that different sectors of society might organise intergenerational activities to pass the Chinese tea culture on to younger generations.

Between March and July 2025, the researchers circulated a questionnaire to 488 Hong Kong SAR residents aged between 12 and 39 to find out how much they know about Chinese tea and related beverages and how much they drink. More than three quarters (76.2%) of respondents drink Chinese tea regularly, and the largest proportion (33.8%) drink Chinese tea one to four times a month Although this was a higher proportion than for coffee (25%), it remained lower than for other beverages. As many as 53.4 per cent of respondents consume speciality drinks such as bubble tea and fruit tea one to four times per month, followed by freshly squeezed juice (42.9%), soft drinks (39.6%), and packaged or bottled juice (38.1%).

The proportion of respondents who drank Chinese tea 11 or more times a month was 25.4 per cent, the highest of all beverage categories, surpassing coffee (17.5%), packaged or bottled juice (17.5%), soft drinks (14%), speciality drinks (10.8%), and freshly squeezed juice (6.3%), which suggests that some young people have developed a regular habit of drinking tea in the long-term (Figure 1).

Figure 1: The largest proportion of young respondents reported drinking Chinese tea one to four times a month (33.8%).

Regarding their preferences, young respondents usually preferred pu-erh (65%), followed by tieguanyin (49%) and jasmine tea (31%). However, nearly half of respondents (49%) also drink flavoured teas containing sugar, floral flavours or milk frequently (Figure 2), reflecting increasingly blurred boundaries between traditional and modern teas in younger generations.

Figure 2: Nearly half the respondents (49%) drink flavoured tea containing sugar, floral flavours or milk regularly.

When asked whose opinions influenced their choice of tea, 39.7 per cent of respondents said that their parents had a “great” or “strong” influence. By comparison, the influence of their friends (11.4%) and social media (11%) was much less (Figure 3), which shows the stronger role of families in passing on the Chinese tea culture to younger generations.

Figure 3: 39.7 per cent of young respondents said that their choice of tea was influenced to a “high” or “strong degree” by their parents.

The most common reasons for choosing a tea were the “aroma” (55%) or “taste” (50%). Nearly half (47%) also cited “family customs” - more than those who associated Chinese tea with “health benefits” (37%), “cultural identity” (19%), or “emotional stability” (17%) (Figure 4).

Figure 4: When asked why they drink tea, respondents usually said “aroma” (55%) or “taste” (50%).

However, young people who drink tea have a limited understanding of its health benefits. More than one third of respondents (34.1%) said that they “knew nothing about” or had “only heard of” these benefits of tea, and nearly half (44.2%) that they “knew nothing about” or had “only heard of” Chinese tea brewing techniques. The study also found that nearly 70% of respondents (68.1%) expressed “average”, “considerable”, or “very strong” interest in learning tea arts, which shows that although the Hong Kong younger generation’s knowledge of Chinese teas is limited, they are generally interested in learning more.

Prof Dickson Chan Chak-Kwan, Research Professor and Director of Asia-Pacific Institute of Ageing Studies at Lingnan University, said that traditional Chinese tea processing techniques and associated social practices were inscribed on the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2022. He noted that while the Chinese Mainland has actively promoted tea culture education for young people, the Hong Kong SAR still does not really understand the health benefits of tea or how to brew it, adding “Promoting tea culture helps pass on the essence of Chinese culture to younger generations. The study finds that parents have a great influence on forming the habit of tea drinking in their children, and recommends that primary and secondary schools and cultural organisations undertake activities that encourage parents and children to learn about Chinese tea together, so that tea drinking is encouraged and the cultural heritage of Chinese tea more effectively passed on to young people.”

Lingnan study finds more young people drink tea than soft drinks regularly. Generated picture.

Prof Chan also suggested that the education sector make the most of young people’s interest in the tea arts to develop their understanding of Chinese tea culture. Flavoured teas may initially build public awareness of the differences between pure and sugar-sweetened flavoured teas, reduce dependency on sugary beverages, and in the long run help promote a healthier diet.

"Research on Tea Consumption among Youth in Hong Kong" is part of the "Chinese Tea Promotion in Young People " Project (2024-2026). The project is sponsored by the Tin Ka Ping Foundation and aims to promote Chinese tea arts among young people and the public in Hong Kong through seminars and tea appreciation workshops, to encourage the understanding of Chinese traditional culture and promote physical and mental well-being.

Lingnan University held its 2026/27 academic year New Student Orientation (NSO) and Official Welcome for undergraduate students at its Tuen Mun campus today (24 August).

Prof S. Joe Qin, President and Wai Kee Kau Chair Professor of Data Science at Lingnan University, officiated at the University’s Official Welcome and greeted incoming undergraduate students from the Hong Kong SAR, the Chinese Mainland, and overseas. This year’s cohort includes students from a wide range of countries and regions, including Russia, Bhutan, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Nepal, Pakistan, Ethiopia, and the Philippines.

In his remarks, President Qin said the University is committed to welcoming students from diverse backgrounds and cultures. He noted that the geographical diversity of the student intake has further expanded this year, with Lingnan admitting non-local freshmen from Ethiopia for the first time, underscoring the University’s diverse, inclusive and international campus.

Prof S. Joe Qin, President and Wai Kee Kau Chair Professor of Data Science, officiated at the Official Welcome and stated that the University warmly welcomed the new students from diverse backgrounds and cultures into the Lingnan community.

President Qin said, “I believe that every student harbours unique dreams and potential and looks forward to finding their own stage at the University. Lingnan is committed to providing an interdisciplinary learning environment and diverse opportunities for development, supporting students in pursuing excellence in academics, innovation, and personal growth. Launched this academic year, the Samuel C.C. Ting Elite Class will provide selected students with comprehensive learning resources, including a four-year full tuition scholarship and a full accommodation subsidy, priority access to cutting-edge research projects, and artificial intelligence (AI) training offered by leading global enterprises, culminating in professional certification. The University will continue to refine its scholarships and talent-development programmes to help students chart a suitable formative path at Lingnan and make the most of their strengths.”

President Qin added that demand for Lingnan among JUPAS applicants has grown significantly. For three consecutive years since 2024, Lingnan University has recorded the highest growth in JUPAS Band A applications among Hong Kong’s eight UGC-funded universities, with a cumulative increase of 88%. In the 2026/27 admission cycle, Lingnan’s mean JUPAS admission score increased by 6.7%, the largest increase among all eight UGC-funded universities. The Bachelor of Business Administration (Honours) in Business Analytics and Innovation programme was the most competitive programme in Hong Kong, with a 77-to-1 application-to-admission ratio. The average JUPAS admission score for the Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Data Science programme reached 20.8, which is 2.7 points higher than last year. For Chinese Mainland Gaokao students, the highest admitted score at Lingnan was 129 points above the Batch 1 or Special Admission cut-off score across provinces and cities, an increase of 18 points over 2025.

The national flag-raising ceremony is conducted during the Official Welcome.

Lingnan has made significant leaps in international rankings in recent months, reinforcing its position as a leading research-oriented liberal arts university comprehensive in arts and sciences in the digital era. In the Times Higher Education (THE) Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026, Lingnan was in the global top 100 for the first time, and 63rd overall, with first place in the Hong Kong SAR in six Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It retained its World No. 1 ranking in "SDG 4: Quality Education", and came first in the Hong Kong SAR in "SDG 1: No Poverty", "SDG 2: Zero Hunger", "SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth", "SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities", and "SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals".

Lingnan also came 84th in its debut appearance in the THE Asia University Rankings, and in the QS World University Rankings 2027 it climbed sharply by over 120 places to 581st, its largest upward leap in recent years.

To help freshmen adapt to university life early and foster a sense of belonging, Lingnan has been running online orientation sessions and activities since mid-July, helping students build social networks and integrate swiftly into campus life. On the day of the inauguration ceremony, it launched the Kaleidoscope Programme, tailored for newcomers with library and campus tours, sports facilities briefings, and workshops on hostel life explaining campus resources and facilities. Themed seminars have covered scholarship applications, academic exchanges, service-learning, and student-led community service, and distinguished alumni have shared inspiring stories, suggesting new students plan their objectives in advance and build up their confidence and preferences.

During the NSO, core administrative units briefed the freshmen, giving them practical information so they could familiarise themselves with university resources, use AI for independent learning, and master learning opportunities. After several specialist sessions, the finale featured performances by the Dancing and Music Societies, sparkling with youthful campus vigour and opening the curtain on a vibrant university life.

Lingnan University held its 2026/27 academic year New Student Orientation and Official Welcome on campus today, welcoming a record intake of about 1,500 new undergraduates into the Lingnan community.

The orientation activities also placed a strong emphasis on community cohesion, with the University arranging for freshmen to interact with departments and societies related to their major subjects and meet their wardens. Representatives from various departmental societies shared tips on subject selection, extracurricular activities, and learning opportunities, fostering interaction among students across different departments. Meanwhile, the University’s Peer Mentoring Programme was launched on the same day, pairing new undergraduates with senior student mentors to help them adjust to university life and actively engage in campus activities.

Lingnan will also host the Campus Life Carnival on the evening of 3 September to encourage freshmen to integrate. Student bodies, sports teams, and several departments will set up over 40 promotional booths providing practical information on extracurricular activities, and recommending ways to expand their social networks to help them settle into the Lingnan community more swiftly.