Category: Blog

Posted on by — Leave a comment

A Guide to Brewing the Perfect Cup of Milk Tea

Is there anything more comforting than a cup of milk tea? We think not. Milk tea is a staple in many Sri Lankan households, and it is very common to stop at a kade (roadside shop) to enjoy a cup of sweetened milk tea as you travel around the island.

Read on to find out what it takes to brew the perfect cup of milk tea and get a milk tea recipe so that you can brew this comforting beverage at home!

 

What is Milk Tea?

In its most basic form, milk tea is made of two ingredients: milk and tea. However, there are a few factors you must consider when making a cup of milk tea and these include the type of tea to use, choosing loose tea or tea bags, and the type of milk to use.

Interestingly, countries all across the world have different variations of milk tea. Bubble milk tea (also known as Boba milk tea) from Taiwan; London Fog which is a British milk tea made from Earl Grey tea; and the famous Matcha latte from Japan.

 

What Type of Tea to Use?

The perfect cup of milk tea differs from person to person, so it can be made with any tea to suit your preference. However, opt for a strong brew such as black tea or black tea-based tea flavours to ensure that the milk does not overpower the flavour of the tea.

Here are some great black tea options:

If you like trying different milk tea flavours, here are some wonderful flavoured black tea options you can use:

 

Loose Tea Leaves or Tea Bags?

This is the age-old battle of flavour vs convenience. There’s no denying that tea bags are great to use when you’re in a rush and just want to enjoy your cuppa. At Zesta, we have some excellent, flavourful black teas that come in tea bags, however, as any tea connoisseur knows – the flavour of loose leaf tea is indisputable.

Our tip: If you want to savour your cuppa, opt for loose leaf tea, but if you’re in a rush, tea bags are the perfect option!

 

What Type of Milk to Use?

Although there are only two main ingredients in milk tea, you can be as creative as you like! Today with so many milk options available, you will be spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing a milk to use. Some popular milk options include:

  • Fresh dairy milk
  • Cream
  • Condensed milk
  • Milk powder

You could also use soy, almond and cashew milks for a dairy-free option, almond milk tea is exceptionally good! You can also elevate your milk tea game by using hot, foam milk and making a milk tea latte or add chill it and enjoy an iced milk tea.

 

Milk Tea Recipe

Making a cup of milk tea is incredibly easy and is very similar to brewing a cup of Ceylon Tea. Here’s how you can brew the perfect cup of milk tea at home.

  1. Add one teaspoon (2g) of the loose leaf tea of your choice, into your teapot. Alternatively, use one tea bag.
  2. Boil water and pour over the tea and let it steep for 3 – 5 minutes until the tea is a deep amber colour. If you’re using a tea bag, it may take a shorter amount of time.
  3. Strain the steeped tea into your glass of choice and add a sweetener if you like.
  4. Finally, add some milk, it’s entirely up to you to choose how milky you like your tea, and watch as your tea turns a murky reddish-brown.
  5. Sit back and enjoy!

 

Milk tea is the perfect comforting drink on a cold day or if you just need to pick me up. It allows you to let your creativity run wild as you can experiment with different tea flavours. Make your perfect cup of milk tea with Zesta.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

A Celebration of Sri Lankan Traditions

From the ancient dynasties of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa to the colonial era of the Portuguese, Dutch and British, our beautiful island of Sri Lanka has a long and rich history. Dubbed as the home of pure Ceylon tea, each era of Sri Lanka’s past has shaped the country uniquely and irrevocably and has given rise to several religious, cultural and social traditions.  

One such famous tradition is the Esala Perahera. Also known as the Kandy Perahera or Dalada Perahera, this ten-day-long festival commemorates the first teaching given by the Buddha after he attained enlightenment. Held between July and August in the mist-laden city of Kandy. With drummers, dancers, musicians and elephants carrying precious objects like the sacred tooth relic, the perahera is a sensory experience.

Another important tradition that has gradually been intertwined with the country’s culture, is the tradition of growing and making tea. In 1824, Scotsman James Taylor planted the first 19 acres of tea in Loolecondera Estate near Kandy, Ceylon. Since then, tea has become a thriving industry and is a part of everyday Sri Lankan life. 

Zesta’s Perahera Elephant is the perfect amalgamation of these two beloved Sri Lankan traditions. This novelty tea gift contains Zesta premium black tea presented in a rich wooden box and a porcelain tusker donning its traditional perahera costume. Much like the perahera, the tradition of growing, preparing and enjoying tea, whether it be English Breakfast tea, Earl Grey black tea or even green tea, is a sensory experience. 

Ignite the senses as you celebrate Sri Lankan traditions with Zesta Ceylon Tea.

The Sense of Touch 

Tactility is one of the most important parts of our sensory systems, and it is especially important when grading loose-leaf black tea. In Sri Lanka, black tea is sorted and graded depending on its appearance and size. For instance, Orange Pekoe (OP) is a term for the highest grade of black tea consisting of many whole tea leaves of a specific size. Read our blog to find out what makes OP special. Another tea grading is Broken Orange Pekoe (BOP) which consists of the dustings, or fannings, of OP tea which produces a stronger brew. 

The Sense of Sound

Any tea connoisseur would relish the everyday sounds of making a cup of tea. The gentle rustling sound of the dry leaves as you scoop them out from the caddy; the bubbling of the boiling water in the kettle; the hushed streaming sound as you pour the water – the sounds of comfort! Delight in this beautiful, soft symphony whenever you make yourself a comforting cup of Ceylon tea. 

The Sense of Smell 

Our olfactory sense is perhaps the most powerful of all the senses. A certain scent can remind you of a forgotten memory in vivid detail. Smell is also one of the primary senses in relation to tea. The aroma of a tea reveals the type of tea bush and even certain growing conditions such as elevation! It will also be more pronounced in flavoured teas, for instance, Earl Grey loose leaf tea will have stronger floral and citrus notes than malty English Breakfast black tea. 

The Sense of Sight 

Whether it be appreciating the grandeur of an action-packed perahera to distinguishing the different types of tea leaves, the sense of sight allows you to appreciate the finer details a little better. Brewing a cup of tea is almost hypnotic; watching how the dried leaves tinge the clear water, which turns from a pale yellow to deep amber. It’s also lovely to see how the colour and consistency of tea immediately change with the simple addition of milk when making black milk tea. 

The Sense of Taste 

Regardless of whether it is consumed as a morning pick-me-up or served as a welcome drink, one sip of tea can instantly make you feel better. It has the unique ability to both calm down as well as revitalise the senses and it is always a welcome treat. Each tea type has different complexities and tasting notes, ranging from the earthy flavour of green tea to the delicate flavour of white tea, enjoy the rich flavour of pure Ceylon tea. 

In these trying times, find comfort in a sensory experience with Zesta Ceylon Tea.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

The 5 Most Famous Teas in the World

From frothy, spicy chai to rejuvenating and relaxing green tea, tea is loved all across the world in its various forms. While there are a seemingly endless amount of tea types, there are only five main brews of tea – black tea, white tea, green tea, oolong tea, and pu’erh. Despite their many names and unique flavours, all tea is made from the leaves of the Camellia Sinensis tea bush. What sets each brew apart from one another is the length of time the tea leaves are oxidised for.

Tea is truly remarkable. It began as a medicinal herbal beverage exclusively consumed by Chinese royalty, but has transformed into a thriving industry and tea is now the second most popular beverage in the world – second only to water!

Whether you’re a tea connoisseur or you just enjoy a cuppa with your breakfast, tea has the extraordinary ability to make everything seem a bit better. Here are four of the world’s most beloved teas.

Black Tea

Perhaps the most famous, and most popular, tea in the world, black tea is a staple in many households. There are several types of black tea in the market, but Ceylon tea is widely considered to be one of the finest brews. Grown in Sri Lanka, there are two types of pure Ceylon black tea; high-grown tea which produces a honey-hued brew with a delicate flavour, and low-grown tea which is reddish-brown and has a strong flavour. Black tea leaves are oxidised for the longest, and this results in its deep colour and full-bodied flavour.

White Tea

“White as cloud, pure as snow, aromatic as orchid”, this is how ancient Chinese poets beautifully described the revered white tea. Unlike other brews, white tea is processed entirely by hand and its leaves are left unoxidised, which results in a very delicate brew with a pale yellow hue to it. This tea is made from the unfurled leaves of the tea bush, and these buds are covered in fine silver-white hairs, which is why this tea is also known as Silver Tips tea.

There is also a rare white tea called Golden Tips tea, which is even more special as it is exclusively grown in Sri Lanka at an elevation of 6,000ft and close to Adam’s Peak.

Green Tea 

Nowadays, green tea is synonymous with health. From increasing metabolism to helping prevent diabetes, green tea is celebrated for its numerous health benefits. Similar to white tea, the tea leaves remain unoxidised, which allows the leaves to retain more nutrients as well as their green colour. Once plucked, the green tea leaves are then steamed or pan-fried to stop the oxidation process and to release its unique sweet earthy flavour. After that, the leaves are cooled, rolled, dried, and rolled once more before they’re graded and packaged. Green tea can also be used as a base to other flavoured teas.

Flavoured Tea

Flavoured tea is when teas like black or green tea are infused with other aromatics like herbs, spices, fruits or flowers. In fact, there are some flavoured teas which are so popular that they’re often mistaken for being their own type of tea, and Earl Grey tea would be the perfect example. Earl Grey tea has a black tea base and is infused with the extract of bergamot, a citrus fruit, giving this tea a uniquely refreshing flavour.

Another popular flavoured tea is osmanthus tea. Here, black tea is infused with the fragrant osmanthus flower that is native to Asia. Not only is the blend flavourful but it is also loaded with health benefits. You can also find green tea based flavours, and a favourite is Zesta’s Jasmine Green Tea.

What makes tea so remarkable is that while there are only five ‘proper’ teas, there are seemingly endless ways of enjoying tea. From popular Bubble Tea originating in Taiwan to a regular cup of English Breakfast tea in the morning, tea is extremely versatile and delicious.

Have you tried any of these teas? If you haven’t, discover the world of tea with Zesta.

 

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Sip on a Tropical Iced Tea-ni this Summer

Summer is around the corner, and there’s no better time to start experimenting with a few tasty iced tea recipes that can keep you cool and refreshed in a fun way all season long.

Suppose you love a good old sweet iced tea during the hot summer afternoons, and can appreciate a sneaky glass of dirty martini before your dinner. In that case, you must try out this fabulous iced tea recipe that combines the two to make the most delightful combo of your two favourite beverages. Let’s get down to business.

How to brew iced tea

While you can do it from scratch by brewing your tea from loose-leaf, the most convenient means of making iced tea would be to use teabags.

So how do you make iced tea with tea bags? Check out our simple illustration offering step by step instructions for a homemade iced tea recipe that you can create using six simple ingredients over here.

Flavoured iced tea is one of the easiest and most delicious beverages you can make. It is also the easiest way to make iced tea. Use any one of Zesta’s premium range of flavoured Ceylon Tea to make yourself a quick glass of what might be the best-iced tea you’d ever come across.

How to make iced tea fast?

You love the thought of making an iced-tea-ni, but you don’t want to spend a tonne of time in the kitchen because you have bigger plans for the summer. If that’s the case, not to worry. We have a simple iced tea recipe that allows you to put together a classic iced tea-ni that will hit the spot.

Classic Iced Tea-ni recipe

This incredibly refreshing beverage combines all the flavours of a Martini mixed with iced tea to make a wonderful summer’s eve cocktail.

Preparation time: 2 minutes

No. of servings: 4

What you’ll need:

  • 2 cups of Zesta Lychee with Rose & Almond brew (Use two tea bags)
  • 6 fl. oz. of gin
  • 2 fl. oz. triple sec liqueur
  • 2 fl. oz. sweet vermouth
  • 1 cup ice cubes
  • 1 lemon, cut into wedges
  • Cocktail shaker
  • 4 Martini glasses or tumblers

Instructions:

First, make the tea!

Boil your water. Add in 2 cups of water to a mug with two tea bags of Zesta flavoured tea. Brew it for about 3 to 5 minutes, depending on the strength of tea you require. For more detailed instructions on brewing the perfect cup of tea, check out our guide over here.

Next, combine the gin, triple sec, vermouth and tea in the cocktail shaker along with your ice cubes and shake. Keep shaking till frost forms outside the shaker. Serve and garnish with a few slices of lemon, and there you have it, an iced tea-ni that James Bond himself would envy.

What is a tropical iced Tea-ni?

For an iced Tea-ni with a tropical twist that is bound to spice up your summer, you can jazz up your classic tea-ni by going an extra step further. Add some coconut water to give it that island feel and team it up with a combination of your favourite tropical fruits.

A fruity flavoured black tea is ideally suited for your iced tea-ni. However, if you prefer iced green tea, you can switch out the black to green as this refreshingly tropical iced tea can be brewed with either.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

The Best Father’s Day Gift Guide for TEA-LOVING DADS

With Father’s Day just a few weeks away, it’s time to start planning what you’re going to give dear dad! However, fathers are notoriously difficult to shop for. After all, any gift would pale in comparison to a lifetime of love and support.

Zesta has compiled the best Father’s Day gift guide for all TEA-LOVING DADS.  Each gift-tea box perfectly encapsulates a different aspect of how your father has affected your life over the years.

Here are some gift ideas to get your father before June 20th! (Applicable to terms & conditions)

For His Silent Strength

Your father will always be one of your pillars of strength helping you to fearlessly venture out into the world.

On this special day, treat him to a strong cup of black tea, like Zesta Premium Black Tea or Zesta BOPF. It can get tiring being a hero, so let him take a load off with a warming cup of Ceylon tea.

For His Unwavering Support

Dad is special for his constant support. The one who cheers the loudest for your successes and picks you up when you’re in a million pieces. As a way of saying thank you for his years of support and making you feel safe and secure, treat him like a king!

Treat him to a cuppa of calming green tea or a soothing herbal infusion. Try Zesta Wellness Infusion Detox from our Wellness Collection, or Zesta Jasmine Green Tea. 

For His Constant Protection

Whether it’s helping us with our homework when we were younger, to helping us with our taxes when we’re older, with everything he does to look after us and make life a little easier, gift him a box of Zesta Wellness Infusion Immune Boost, herbal infusion loaded with immune-boosting effects accredited by Department of Ayurvedha, Sri Lanka.

For His Endless Knowledge

Dad is a ‘know it all’ figure with endless knowledge and as we grow up that thought only becomes more apparent. Being so knowledgeable and wise, he deserves a classic gift. Instead of giving him just one box, give him a combination of Father’s Day gifts from our new favourites; The Osmanthus Black Tea or an Indian’s favourite tea; Darjeeling.

There is nothing quite as comforting as a warm cup of tea, which is why it is the perfect gift for your TEA-LOVING DAD. Say ‘Happy Father’s Day with his favourite gift-tea box today!

Here’s a quick glance at Zesta’s Father’s day gift-teas going out on exclusive offers from 1st June to 22nd June;

Zesta Premium Black Tea

 

Zesta BOPF

 

Zesta Wellness Infusion Detox

 

Zesta Jasmine Green Tea

 

Zesta Wellness Infusion Immune Boost

 

Osmanthus Black Tea

 

Darjeeling Black Tea

 

T&C:

Enjoy 20% off on orders over USD 30 including free shipping worldwide & Col 1-15, Sri Lanka.

 

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Tea Experiences to Gift this Mothers’ Day

Much like a good cup of tea, our mums are warm, loving, comforting, and can immediately cheer us up whenever we’re feeling blue. She radiates love and warmth and is always there when you need her, which is why you must go above and beyond to make Mothers’ Day extra special.

Treat your wonderful mum on the 9th of May with some of these lovely tea experiences.

A Spa Day at Home

Our mothers are superheroes, they juggle so many activities and responsibilities, are always on the go, and still manage to check up on us every day. However, this can get quite tiring and one of the best ways to say “Happy Mothers’ Day” is by giving her a day of rest and relaxation. Slap on a face masque, brew a big pot of a relaxing herbal infusion and have a mini spa day at home. For ultimate relaxation we recommend you pair this experience with either our Pure Chamomile Tea or Zesta’s Detox Wellness Infusion. Sip on these infusions as you spoil your mother with a manicure, pedicure, and a foot massage and let her completely unwind.

Breakfast in Bed

Treating your mum to breakfast in bed is one of the best mothers’ day gifts to give. For years, your mother would have woken up earlier than she needed to just to make you breakfast before you went to school. Even after you finished school, chances are she still doesn’t get enough sleep, she has to wake up for work or has several early morning errands to run. On Mothers’ Day, let her have a lie-in and for once you make breakfast for her! Pull out all the stops, a fruit plate, followed by scrambled eggs or fluffy pancakes, and end this lovely meal with a steaming cup of English Breakfast Tea. This gift is the perfect way for your mum to start her day as you shower her with love and gifts throughout the day!

An Intimate High Tea

High tea and Mothers’ Day almost go hand in hand. While you can go the traditional route and take your mum to a luxurious tearoom where high tea is an elaborate affair, you can make this tea gift a little more intimate. A wonderful idea would be hosting a special Mothers’ Day high tea at home where you make some of the classic high tea treats and invite some of your mother’s closest friends! Serve homemade scones, a variety of finger sandwiches, and of course, Ceylon tea served in delicate bone china cups. While you can’t go wrong with serving classic black tea, we suggest you try our Flowery Broken Orange Pekoe tea which is a type of black tea but with more floral tasting notes.

Cook a Tea-Infused Meal

If you weren’t able to make it home for breakfast, you can make it up to your mum by making her a delicious tea-infused meal! An easy and flavourful recipe is this Green Tea Poached Tuna which requires minimum effort but yields amazing results. Infused with green tea, this a great healthy dinner as this type of tea is loaded with health benefits! Also, green tea is an excellent tea brew to use when cooking with fish as it has a delicate flavour that complements the flavour of green tea.

A Tea Tasting Experience

This final tea experience is perfect if your mother is a tea lover. Give her a tea gift box that contains a variety of tea types and flavours, or you can give her an assortment of the three classic teas – black tea, green tea, and oolong tea. A popular option is our assortment of flavoured teas which contain six fruit and spice flavoured tea bags. Enjoy an afternoon of trying different teas while spending some quality time with mother dearest.

Your mother deserves the world and more. While you can give her a traditional gift like flowers or jewellery, the best gifts don’t come in boxes and come from the heart, which is why these five tea experiences are ideal. Celebrate your mother today and every day with Zesta.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

5 Teas Perfect for Sinhala & Tamil New Year

Taking place between the 13th and 14th of April, Sinhala and Tamil New Year is one of Sri Lanka’s most important cultural holidays. Known as Aluth Avurudu in Sinhala and Puthandu in Tamil, the holiday marks the end of the harvest season, with the sun moving from Pisces to Aries. Sinhala and Tamil New Year is steeped in tradition and rituals, but at its core, the holiday represents spending time with your family and loved ones.

There are a few things many people look forward to during this holiday; the traditional Avurudu games, new clothes in the auspicious colours, visits to relatives’ homes, and of course the delicious Avurudu spread. Plates piled high with various delicacies cover the table. From milk rice and an assortment of curries to traditional sweet treats like aasmi, kavum, kokis; enjoy a spectacle of colour and flavour.

However, in the midst of all this, you are almost guaranteed to spot a humble cup of Ceylon tea. A cup of tea is not only incredibly flavourful, but it is also undeniably comforting– perfectly capturing the essence of the holiday. Here are 5 teas to gift your loved ones that make wonderful new year gifts.

Black Tea 

You can never go wrong with gifting a box of black tea. It comes as no surprise that black tea is the second most consumed beverage in the world, a close second after water. From full-bodied English Breakfast tea to the crimson-hued Broken Orange Pekoe Fannings tea, there is an endless variety of black teas for you to enjoy!

On Avurudu it is customary to offer your visitors a cup of tea and something to eat for the occasion. Having a tin of black tea will always be beneficial. If you’re thinking of gifting a loved one some tea, we suggest the Premium BOPF tea or Zesta Real Ceylon Tea.

An Assortment of Teas 

Or perhaps, you can’t choose from the wide variety of teas and herbal infusions available. In these instances, an assortment of teas is the perfect gift as it allows the recipient of the gift to try several new flavours and types of tea. An excellent gift option is this assortment of flavoured teas, which contains six fruit and spice flavoured tea bags. Flavoured teas are made when essential oils from fruits, spices, herbs, and other aromatics are infused with the tea leaves, resulting in an endless list of fun tea flavours! From peach, ginger, cinnamon & apple. This is a wonderful gift for Sinhala and Tamil New Year.

Green Tea 

Another tea-lightful gift option is green tea. Nowadays green tea has become a household name and is almost surpassing the popularity of black tea! Made from the unoxidised leaves of the Camellia Sinensis, this tea has a delicate flavour and has a more herbaceous aroma. This is one of the best teas to gift someone for the new year as green tea contains a myriad of health benefits. Similar to black tea, there are quite a few variants of green tea. Choose from a tin of classic green tea or be adventurous with a flavoured green tea. Infused with aromatics such as jasmine flowers or peppermint and lemon, gives the tea a refreshing twist.

Also, drinking green tea helps boost metabolism– ideal after gorging on the new year feast!

Earl Grey  

Earl Grey tea is undoubtedly one of the world’s most popular teas and is a lovely gift option if the recipient is an avid tea drinker. Despite its popularity, the tea is often mistaken for being its own category of tea, when in reality it is a flavoured tea! Named after the second Earl of Grey, a former British Prime Minister, this tea is a black tea infused with the oil of bergamot, a vibrant citrus fruit. A full-bodied tea with a dark orange hue, Earl Grey has a unique flavour with a malty aftertaste combined with the faintest notes of citrus. If you are entertaining your relatives for Avurudu, serve them this Mahagama Earl Grey Martini, which is a refreshing Earl Grey based iced tea served with orange and lime juice. While the recipe calls for gin, you can omit the alcohol for a more child-friendly option.

Zesta Wellness Range 

What better gift is there to give this new year other than the gift of health? Our Wellness Range consists of a collection of the very best herbal teas, each crafted for a specific function. From helping your sleep better to burning fat, this range can help you achieve just about anything. Other options include this Refresh wellness infusion is made from peppermint leaves and is a great morning pick-me-up, especially the day after the festivities, and our  Immune Boost infusion made from a variety of spices.

 Fun Fact:  Did you know that it is incorrect to call these blends herbal tea or infusion tea? Yes, the term tea is exclusively used for products that originate from the Camellia Sinensis tea bush. Instead, these herbal infusions are made from various aromatic herbs and flowers such as peppermint and chamomile.

 

Sinhala and Tamil New Year is a time for spreading love and spending time with loved ones. There is truly no better way to spread the cheer and set the mood than gathering with your loved ones around a pot of Zesta Ceylon tea. Get gif-tea-ing today!

Posted on by — Leave a comment

4 Tea Gifts for Your Loved Ones

4 Tea Gifts for Your Loved Ones

Every tea connoisseur has their own ritual when it comes to making the perfect cup of tea. Perhaps it is a strong cup of black tea to wake you up in the morning, a tall glass of iced peach tea, or a relaxing chamomile brew to unwind. With all these options available, it is understandable that shopping for a tea lover can be quite daunting. So, what do you get a tea connoisseur? Read more to find out the best teas and herbals infusions that will make excellent gifts for loved ones.

Flavoured Tea

If a cold brew is their cup of tea, then you cannot go wrong when you gift them a box of fun flavoured tea. From Apple Black Tea to Blueberry and Pomegranate Tea, our range of infusion teas are guaranteed to tantalize the taste buds and keep you coming back for more. These teas come in a wide range of flavours that are perfect for making cocktails and mocktails. If you have young kids, another fun activity would be turning these exotic-flavoured teas into delicious ice popsicles! These flavoured teas also work great as a romantic tea gift. For instance, our Italian Almond Exquisite Brew is an aromatic and flavourful infusion tea and goes perfectly with a romantic meal.

Green Tea

For centuries green tea has been celebrated for its myriad of health benefits. From promoting weight loss to reducing the level of bad cholesterol, and even helping prevent memory loss, it is as though there is nothing this tea can’t cure!  With all these benefits it comes as no surprise that green tea has become a household name, and in many countries, it has even surpassed the popularity of traditional black tea! While all teas originate from the leaves of the Camellia Sinensis tea bush, green tea stands out. This brew has a unique flavour, fragrance, and colour and this is because green tea leaves are left unoxidised and unfermented thus giving this brew a rather delicate flavour. If your loved one is a fan of green tea, we suggest gifting a box of Peppermint and Lemon Green Tea for something extra special.

Herbal Infusions

Most tea drinking novices may not know this but blends like chamomile and peppermint are not classified as tea, they are herbal infusions—although they often moonlight as tea! While nothing compares to a good cup of tea, there are certain occasions your loved one may not be able to consume a cuppa. For instance, it is advised that pregnant women and people suffering from insomnia should not drink tea due to its caffeine content. On these occasions, opt for gifting a herbal infusion. Zesta’s Wellness Collection is infused with various spices and herbs, each designed for a specific function. Whether you want to Detox or Sleep better, there will be an infusion to suit your every need, making it the perfect caffeine-free drink.

Novelty Teas

An assortment of novelty Ceylon teas makes for fantastic birthday and anniversary gifts. You may think an avid tea drinker would be bored with Earl Grey tea, English Breakfast tea, and even regular black tea, but this could not be further from the truth. Each tea- even if it is the same tea type- tastes different. There are a lot of factors that affect the taste, aroma, and colour of the tea. One of the best gifts you could give is Zesta’s Tea Story, a collection of Flowery Broken Orange Pekoe black tea from the Uva region of Sri Lanka. Also, Zesta’s English Breakfast is a robust full-bodied single-origin tea and the perfect way to kickstart your morning. Being a single-origin tea, this blend has a unique taste as it is not mixed with teas from other regions thus creating a very special tea.

 

There is no greater feeling than gathering with your loved ones around a fresh pot of tea. Tea has an extraordinary way of bringing people together and being a source of comfort. Explore the world of Zesta to gift love, happiness, and tea!

Posted on by — Leave a comment

5 Wellness Teas & Infusions You Need to Try

5 Wellness Teas & Infusions You Need to Try

January not only marks the start of the new year but also as most tea aficionados know, January is hot tea month. This month, Zesta is dedicated to bringing you 5 flavourful teas and herbal infusions that are loaded with health benefits and will also help you achieve your new year’s resolutions. Read more to find out the best teas and infusions that will give you a healthy start to 2021. 

To Sleep Better

Wouldn’t we all love to have a good night’s sleep? For some falling asleep at night is effortless and as soon as your head hits the pillow you’re already in dreamland. However, for others, it’s not as easy to fall asleep effortlessly, and for these instances, you must try Sleep from Zesta’s wellness infusion range. Infused with chamomile, a cup of this is just what you need to have before you go to sleep. Although often referred to as a tea, chamomile is actually a herbal infusion that is naturally caffeine-free and made from daisy-like flowers. Apart from helping you sleep better, chamomile can also help alleviate pain from menstrual cramps, reduce stress and anxiety, treat cold symptoms, as well as bring about several other health benefits. 

To Lose Weight

Nowadays green tea has become the go-to drink if you’re trying to lose weight due to its ability to boost metabolism. However, did you know that green tea is rich in caffeine and each has approximately 35mg of caffeine per cup? Its high level of caffeine makes green tea an unsuitable drink for pregnant women and those trying to reduce their caffeine intake.  Instead, try our Zesta Wellness Infusion Fat Burn which uses Ayurvedic certified ingredients such as fenugreek, garcinia black seed, turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, cumin seed, senna leaf, and black pepper. All these spices and herbs promote gut health and have anti-inflammatory properties, and research shows that these herbs can also help with weight management. However, more research needs to be done and in order to manage your weight, you must also have a healthy diet and partake in regular exercise.

To Detox

In 2020 with all the lockdowns and stay at home restrictions, many of us may have given into our temptation, whether it be an extra glass of wine or eating more junk food. Now that we are well into the new year, it’s time to leave all those bad habits behind and start fresh. For this, you must try out Zesta Wellness Infusion Detox which is a herbal infusion containing several herbs such as ashwagandha, ginger, turmeric, nelli, and neem. This flavourful combination of spices makes for the perfect brew that will rejuvenate and cleanse the body of toxins with every sip. These herbs and spices have been used for several centuries in Ayurvedic practices and each comes with the benefits of its own unique healing properties.

To Energise

Most people start their mornings with a cup of coffee or black tea, however, if you’re trying to reduce your caffeine intake you are going to need to find a replacement. Our Zesta Wellness Infusion Refresh is an excellent alternative. Swap your morning cup of traditional Ceylon tea to one of refreshing peppermint that is the perfect drink to have after a meal. Not only is peppermint a great pick-me-up, but it also improves digestive tract health, it can help relieve stomach pain, nausea, and indigestion! Peppermint also has antioxidants, antibacterial and antiviral properties which will help improve your overall health. This is best consumed as a hot tea as it will gently nourish and refresh you.

To Boost Immunity

Black tea is well known for having a wealth of health benefits due to its high level of polyphenols, a type of antioxidant, black tea can promote overall health by combatting free radicals. While this is true, there are also several infusion teas that can improve overall health like our Zesta Wellness Infusion Immune Boost. Infused with Ayurvedic certified ingredients such as moringa leaves, turmeric, coriander, iramusu, and hathawariya, this all-natural immunity boosting drink is flavourful and extremely healthy. Defend your body against illness and disease with a cup of this delectable herbal infusion.

 Zesta Tea is grown on the lush misty mountains of Sri Lanka and shared with the rest of the world. There is no better way to start the year than on a healthy note with a good cup of tea. Get your box of goodness today.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

5 Healthy Teas to Start the New Year

5 Healthy Teas to Start the New Year

Tis the season to get a fresh start and plan out the new year with all the goals you want to achieve. Why not plan your new year with a healthy tea by your side? Of course, there are several healthy teas out there, which can make choosing the best teas quite difficult. Do not worry though, as this article will shed light on five amazing teas to consider when you are starting out the new year.

Green Tea

A tea that would never lose its significance is traditional green tea. With its origins dating back to the 2700BC, green tea has always been a favourite beverage for many households around the world.

According to scientific research, green tea is known to possess polyphenols and other antioxidants that aid in a healthy digestive system, reduces LDL (bad) cholesterol, and is also known to improve the immune system. It also helps to detox the body from any sort of impurities. Order yourself a box of Jasmine Green Tea – 15 Pyramid Tea Bags to experience all those benefits.

Chamomile Tea

Chamomile tea is not necessarily a tea, but herbal tea. In other words, it is a tea that does not incorporate the traditional Camellia Sinensis plant. Instead, the tea is made from daisy-like flowers called chamomile. However, the way of brewing a fresh cuppa is very similar to traditional tea.

Over the years, this herbal infusion has become a popular healthy beverage to many. Like green tea, it is known to help in maintaining heart health and digestive system. Additionally, the beverage is also known to aid in sleep, menstrual cramps, even mental wellbeing. To make your chamomile tea experience all the more wholesome, make sure you use Zesta Wellness Infusion Sleep for your cuppa.

Peppermint Tea

Peppermint tea comes just behind chamomile tea in terms of popularity. Like its chamomile counterpart, this tea is prepared using the leaves of the Mentha Piperita plant, and is known to give a refreshing feeling to the body.

Some of the more known health benefits of this tea are improving mental wellbeing, provides energy, helps in oral health, aids in digestion, and helps in sleep. Although, many recommend this beverage to be drunk with no additives, a little bit of sugar is added to taste. Moreover, the tea has become a popular alternative to use for virgin mojitos when mint leaves are not available. You can make your very own version of virgin mojito using Zesta Pure Peppermint – 15 Pyramid Tea Bags to get the best peppermint taste.

Lemon Tea with Honey

The properties present in lemon and black tea are married in a harmonious, healthy cup of Zesta’s lemon tea. Amped with a good dose of vitamin C and its also a natural diuretic.

Research has shown that this tea aids in digestion, helps in nourishing the skin, eliminates free radicals, and keeps flu-like symptoms at bay. Presently, you can create this healthy beverage using flavoured tea bags. All you have to do is just steep the tea bag and add in the water and honey.

Black Tea

Black tea, like green tea, is one of the more popular teas in the world due to its taste and character. Today black tea comes in many variants and flavours as well. Some of the more popular variants are Earl Grey and English Breakfast. Additionally, some of the black teas come in citrusy flavours.

The antioxidants and antimicrobial compounds within the black tea has been identified to help maintain a healthy immune system, improves digestion, aids in a healthy cardiovascular system, and reduces bad cholesterol. The best black teas come with the stamp of Pure Ceylon Tea such as that found in Zesta Premium Black Tea –  20 Tea Bags.

 

There we have it! Five amazing and healthy teas to kick-start the journey to achieve your goals in the new year. If you prefer to go beyond the list,  check out our products and shop online from a range of teas and infusions.