What to know
- A Remitly survey of over 3,100 immigrants found extremely high levels of homesickness, with Filipinos (96.15%) and South Africans (96.1%) topping the list.
- Canadians, Mexicans, and several other nationalities also reported near-universal feelings of missing home, with family, friends, and cultural traditions ranking as the biggest losses.
- Food plays a major emotional role, with 54% of respondents saying they miss native dishes and drinks from their home countries.
- To tap into that nostalgia, Remitly has launched limited-edition “homesick” teas inspired by global cuisines — including Fish and Chips Tea, Taco Tea, Rose Mithai, and Bauernbrot blends.
One company is brewing up unique blends of tea to help combat homesickness. Fish and chips tea, anyone?
Remitly, an online financial service organization, surveyed over 3,100 immigrants about homesickness, uncovering which nationals miss home the most, and what they are longing for.
Of the countries with the most expats missing home, the Philippines tops the list, with 96.15 per cent of respondents from the island nation reporting feeling homesick when living abroad. South Africans came in close second, with 96.1 per cent reporting homesickness.
Reporting similar feelings, 96.02 per cent Canadians and Mexicans tied for the third spot. Brazilians rounded off the top five, with 94.44 per cent saying they miss home.
The survey also questioned what people missed most from home, with 80 per cent saying they miss family, and 62 per cent saying they miss friends. A quarter of respondents say they miss celebrating familiar holidays and cultural events, while 20 per cent miss the landscape of their homeland, and 25 percent miss the pets they left behind.
Missing food and drinks from home
Food and drink were also a huge factor, with a whopping 54 per cent saying they miss the delicacies and beverages of their motherland. To combat this, Remitly is launching a series of special edition teas, with some flavours to help you brew up an antidote to homesickness.
The company says that each blend was developed as a small, meaningful reminder of people, places and things that make us feel most at home, aiming to evoke comfort, nostalgia and familiarity.
Calling all Brits, Fish and chips tea is first up. Remitly describes the brew as bold and savoury, inspired by the flavours of the British seaside. Hearty and salty, rich umami notes give this unique blend depth and character, bringing to mind Friday nights, newspaper-wrapped dinners, and “the warmth of a proper chippy tea.”
Meanwhile, curated with Mexicans in mind, the taco tea is inspired by the country’s unique street food. Another savoury blend, this tea features warming spices as well as a hint of citrus. This vibrant drink is meant to bring to mind shared dinners, late nights, and food enjoyed in good company.
The Rose Mithai includes a fragrant blend of rose and warming chai spices, inspired by the flavours of traditional Indian confections. Comforting and aromatic, it’s a sweet blend that can be brewed with or without milk.
Finally, Bauernbrot tea is inspired by traditional German bread, with warm notes of oats and grains. The drink is both hearty and grounding, reminiscent of slow mornings, shared meals, and home-baked staples.
Find out more about the results of the Remitly survey and their limited edition tea blends on their website.
