Many of our workdays have looked a little different over the past year. But one thing has remained constant for a lot of us: starting the morning with a coffee- or tea-based beverage.

The ready-to-drink (RTD) coffee and tea segment is decidedly no longer a niche market within the United States. The segment racked up retail sales of almost $7 billion during the 52 weeks ending Aug. 9, 2020, according to data from Chicago-based market research firm IRI.

Nondairy beverages mainly painted on smiles this year. Ready-to-drink (RTD) coffee was the master of ceremonies at retail, shining in both the shelf-stable cappuccino/iced coffee and refrigerated coffee segments.

The retail ready-to-drink (RTD) tea and coffee category found itself in a good news/bad news situation over the past year.

Denver-based Teakoe Tea Supply Co. said it added Teakoe Fizzy black tea to its line of sustainably sourced, whole-leaf, fresh-brewed ready-to-drink Teakoe teas.

Three or four decades ago, consumers had few choices when it came to ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages. The available assortment consisted mainly of milk, soft drinks, juice/fruit drinks and alcoholic beverages such as wine and beer.

The future looks bright for dairy processors that also produce ready-to-drink (RTD) coffee and/or tea. Such products mesh well with current consumer demand for beverages that go beyond simple hydration.

When it comes to some key nondairy beverage categories, the spin of the wheel has been kinder to some categories than others. The odds have been in ready-to-drink (RTD) coffee and tea's favor, while juice seemingly is facing a gaffed wheel.

The trend toward convenient grab-and-go offerings shows no signs of waning. And that reality has been good news for the ready-to-drink (RTD) coffee and tea segment.