Another scenario is an attack from an activist investor. Many of Unilever's rivals, such as Procter & Gamble and Nestlé, have contended with activists in recent years. In that context, the decision to potentially sell the tea business looks like a defensive move. There are 270,000 cups of Unilever tea brewed around the world every minute, according to the company, but tastes are shifting towards herbal teas and soft drinks.