- As new research from Remitly reveals that family, friends and food are the biggest triggers of homesickness, the global financial services provider has launched an unusual solution: a limited-edition range of teas inspired by iconic comfort foods from around the world.
- The ‘Taste of Home’ collection reimagines some of the flavours expats say they miss most, transforming them into four far-out tea blends designed to offer a sensory connection to home for those living abroad
- The four limited-edition blends include Mexican tacos, British fish and chips, Indian rose mithai sweets, and German bauernbrot
A new global study of 3,100 migrants across 21 countries by Remitly reveals that more than nine in ten expats have experienced homesickness while living abroad, highlighting how universal the experience is. Inspired to help soften this feeling, Remitly has designed a creative aid for homesickness – all in a cup of tea.
The research found that food and drink were some of the biggest emotional triggers for homesickness (54% said they miss the flavours from home) and with tea being the most drunk beverage in the world after water, it proved a perfect vessel for bringing the flavours of people’s home countries to life in an unexpected way.
The ‘Taste of Home’ teas feature four unconventional flavours designed as a sensory reminder of home for those living abroad. From the Mexican street food staple of tacos, and the uniquely British classic of fish & chips, to the instantly nostalgic Indian milk sweets (mithai) and the German flavoured rye sourdough (bauernbrot), each blend is designed as a playful interpretation of how flavour and nostalgia are closely linked, offering migrants a comforting reminder of home from the very first sip.
Keen to try the teas?
Tea lovers can apply to receive one free box of limited-edition tea bags through Remitly’s weekly drops with the first weekly request window opening on 10/04/2026 at 11:00 GMT and closing on Friday of that week at 17:00 GMT. Weekly request windows run through 8th May 2026.
You need to be aged 18+ and a legal resident of the UK or EU and be one of the first 15 people each week to submit a request by no later than 17:00 GMT on Friday of a weekly request window.
For full terms and conditions and to view the request form here.
How homesickness is felt across the world
Remitly’s global study explored the reality of homesickness for migrants and expats across the globe. It found that homesickness often appears unexpectedly, with almost half (49%) saying that it appears out of the blue. However, there are discernible triggers that lead to bouts of missing home, such as speaking to family (53%), going through a tough time and needing support (50%), missing holidays and festivals (43%), and feeling unwell and craving home comforts (40%)
From missing milestone moments like birthdays and weddings to longing for familiar meals, the findings reinforce how emotional – and sensory – the experience of moving abroad can be.
Who Feels Homesick the Most?
The Philippines tops the list as the most homesick nation, with 96.15% of Filipinos saying they have experienced homesickness at some point while living abroad, closely followed by South Africans, with 96.10% saying they often feel homesick after they’ve made the move. Canada (96.02%) and Mexico (96.02%) share third place and Brazil completes the top five.
At the other end of the ranking, Japan (85.71%) and Ireland (89.01%) reported the lowest rates of homesickness, however, as evidenced by the high percentages, most respondents still reported feeling homesick when away from home, family and everyday comforts.
The World’s Most Homesick Nations
| Rank | Country | % of people who have felt homesick when they lived abroad |
| 1 | Philippines | 96.15% |
| 2 | South Africa | 96.10% |
| 3= | Canada | 96.02% |
| 3= | Mexico | 96.02% |
| 5 | Brazil | 94.44% |
| 6 | India | 94.12% |
| 7 | France | 93.53% |
| 8 | Chile | 93.33% |
| 9 | Australia | 93.00% |
| 10 | Greece | 91.84% |
| 11 | Sweden | 91.78% |
| 12 | Spain | 91.75% |
| 13 | Portugal | 91.18% |
| 14 | UK | 91.13% |
| 15 | New Zealand | 90.97% |
| 16= | Germany | 90.55% |
| 16= | USA | 90.55% |
| 18 | Czech Republic | 90.32% |
| 19 | Italy | 90.20% |
| 20 | Ireland | 89.01% |
| 21 | Japan | 85.71% |
Ryan Riley, VP of Marketing for EMEA and APAC at Remitly, comments:
“Homesickness is something almost everyone experiences at some point, especially when you’re building a life away from where you grew up. It’s missing a milestone birthday back home, a family celebration, or even something as simple as your mum’s cooking. It’s the everyday moments that hit the hardest.
While nothing replaces being there in person, our research shows that food and drink play a unique role in helping people feel reconnected to home by bringing comfort, familiarity and a sense of belonging.
That’s what inspired us to create something a little unexpected. We wanted to shine a light on the emotional side of sending money home and explore ways to ease the anxiety that can come with living between two places. We would love to hear what flavours we should consider making next for those who want a taste of home in a mug.”
More information on the most homesick nations, and how to get hold of the limited-edition teas, can be found here: https://www.remitly.com/gb/en/landing/homesickness-data
