Category: About Tea

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.

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.

Christmas is a time of sharing, joy, celebration, lights, and amazing festivities. There are many ways of spreading all that with your loved ones. Some of the more popular ways are by adorning your home with vibrant Christmas lights and features and inviting your loved ones for a meal. Maybe even for an evening of carolling and storytelling with warm cups of Zesta tea for everyone. But what if we said that you can decorate your own home with our products as well?

Our products can be used as great material for DIY Christmas decorations for your home, making it all the more unique. Here are just some simple DIY ideas you can use for this Christmas.

Christmas Tea Tree

Christmas tree decorations are always a sight to behold, especially when you are doing it with your family. Why not make that family time even more special by making DIY Christmas tea trees as well? They are simple and quick to make and do not require any special material for it.

What you will need:

• Styrofoam cones
• Individually wrapped Zesta teabags
• Glue
• Cylindrical mache box or homemade cylindrical cardboard box
• Wooden stars

Method:

• Take the individual tea bags and apply a thin line of glue on the back of it, and then attach it to the base of the cone (hold it in place until it sets).
• When you apply the subsequent teabags, make sure you slightly overlap it over the one that was just pasted. This is to cover up the styrofoam underneath.
• Keep repeating the process until you reach the top of the cone.
• Glue the cylindrical mache box or the cylindrical cardboard box to the base of the styrofoam cone, so it can make a unified stump and stand on its own.
• Insert a small weight inside the box for more stability.
• Glue a wooden star at the top once the tea tree is complete.

And just like that, when teatime comes, all you have to do is carefully rip one from the tree to make a fresh cuppa. Since it is meant to resemble a Christmas tree, Use a mixture of Zesta Green Tea and Zesta Strawberry Flavoured Black Tea to make it reflect the traditional red and green colours of Christmas. Nothing can go wrong with a DIY decoration that dispensers Pure Ceylon Teabags!

Christmas Wreath

Another great decoration that is synonymous with the season is the wreath. Make your one unique by including some teabags in it. These types of homemade Christmas decorations serve to be aesthetic and functional pieces as well. Here is how you can make one.

What you will need:

• Two pieces of 12×12 cardboard
• Red and green patterned paper
• 24 clothespins
• Glue
• Red ribbon for hanging

Method:

• Glue the two pieces of cardboard together.
• Cut the cardboard into a circle and cut a smaller inner circle to make it look more like a wreath.
• Cover your cardboard circle with patterned paper and glue it.
• Glue some patterned paper to the clothespins as well.
• Once this is done, glue the clothespins on the circle, evenly spacing them out.
• Make sure the clothespins face the outside of the wreath when glueing them.
• Tie the red ribbon on the wreath for hanging and clip your favourite Zesta tea bags on each of the pins.

Voila! You have made your very own Christmas wreath that is a perfect ornament that is a fitting addition to your home. The inclusion of your favourite Zesta tea bags makes it all the more special since it allows you and your guests to easily pick and choose what they want to brew.

Explore our exclusive collection of Zesta Ceylon Tea here.

Known for their unique taste, colour, and character, English Breakfast Tea and Earl Grey Tea is easily one of the more popular traditional black teas out there in the market. So much so that many believe they are the same. They are not though!

The differences are mainly attributed to the origins, and the flavour. Apart from those features, they do have their fair share of similarities.

History and Origins

This is one of the major differences between the two tea types, as they have their beginnings in separate events.

English Breakfast Tea

This type of black tea can be traced back to the 19^th century, and can be attributed to a Scottish tea merchant known as Robert Drysdale. It was he who desired a strong, rich, and malty beverage after a good English breakfast, hence the name ‘English Breakfast Tea’.

The popularisation of the tea came about when Queen Victoria first tasted it during her stay in Scotland. The monarch was so impressed by its taste that she brought a supply back to London, which eventually led to a trend that never ceased.

Earl Grey Tea

This traditional tea has a similar beginning in that it was popularised in the 19^th century. However, this was a Chinese invention although it has a English name.

The story goes that once a Chinese scholar visited Charles Grey, 2^nd Earl Grey (the British Prime Minister during the 1830s) in the United Kingdom. The scholar wanted to treat his host with some traditional Keemun tea. The only problem was that the water possessed a mineral taste, which did not give out the true taste of the tea. He then proceeded to use bergamot oil (an oil made from a citrusy fruit) to balance out the taste. The Prime Minister was so enthralled with the beverage that it became a staple in his household.

Popularity of the tea rose when the wife of Charles Grey served this beverage to their guests and visiting dignitaries. Hence the name ‘Earl Grey Tea’.

Taste, Flavour, and Blend

Another way of showcasing the differences between the two variants is by analysing its taste, flavour, and blend of the beverage.

English Breakfast Tea

This particular beverage is characterised to have a very strong, rich taste, which is full-bodied and robust. This is because it is traditionally a blend of Assam, Keemun, Kenyan, and Ceylon tea leaves.

The reason for its strong flavour was because of how hearty the English breakfast is. The rich taste often complemented the breakfast, and gave that much-needed energy boost for the day. Milk and sugar was sometimes added to balance out the strength of the beverage. The Zesta Connoisseur Collection English Breakfast Tea is a perfect example of the brew.

Earl Grey Tea

In the traditional sense, Earl Grey tea is made from Chinese Keemun tea, which is then infused with bergamot oil. Over the years though, the Chinese tea leaves were replaced by Ceylon Tea, since it allowed consumers to add milk into the beverage as well. A great example for this is the Zesta Connoisseur Collection Earl Grey Tea.

Due to the bergamot oil, the tea is characterised to have a citric taste, and is considered to have a milder flavour to other black teas, such as English breakfast tea.

Similarities

English breakfast tea and Earl Grey tea do have similarities when looking at certain aspects.

Preparation

While they are different in blend, taste, and flavour, they are black teas having the same core ingredient after all; the leaves of the Camellia Sinensis plant. Similarly, preparing a fresh cuppa is the same. All you have to do is;

• Boil fresh spring water (220ml per person) to around 100˚C.
• Add teabags (one per person) or loose-leaf tea (2.5g per person) to the water.
• Let the leaves steep for 3-5 minutes.
• Serve into tea cups.
• Add a slice of lemon when drinking straight, or add milk and sugar to your liking.

Health Benefits

Another similarity of these two drinks are the health benefits. Many studies have shown that English breakfast tea and Earl Grey tea aid in strengthening the immune system, oral health, digestion, heart health, mood, blood sugar, and high blood pressure.

Regardless of the differences between the two brews, the two tea variants are equally as popular and can be equally enjoyed with Zesta.

Catching up with friends and family over a small snack or a full meal, during the evening hours, makes some unforgettable memories. These special meals and social gatherings can, arguably, be traced back to the Victorian-era of the British Empire. Back then it was either called Afternoon Tea or High Tea. Today, these types of meals and gatherings are still seen. So much so that Afternoon Tea and High Tea have been used to mean the same thing, except historically it does not.

What is Afternoon Tea?

Simply put, Afternoon Tea is a light three-course meal taken during the day at 4 pm. This is in no way to replace dinner, as the meal generally consists of bite-sized sandwiches, savouries, and scones. Of course, there is a good strong cuppa accompanied with the finger food too.

Afternoon tea was made popular by the Duchess of Bedford in the 19th century, when she wanted to have a light meal before dinner with her friends. Alternatively, it is called ‘Low Tea’ since this meal is traditionally enjoyed on the low tables of the drawing-room, where the host, friends, and family would sit on comfortable sofas and chairs.

What is High Tea?

Originating from the 19th century, high tea was a trend set by the working middle class. It became popular routine when workers would get home and nourish themselves with a hearty meal that included meat, beans, and other heavy dishes. This is also called ‘supper’, as this is taken between   5 pm – 7 pm. Once again, all this was accompanied with a strong cup of black tea. This was enjoyed mainly on the high tables of the dining room with the family. Hence why it is called ‘High Tea’.

Afternoon Tea vs High Tea

While there are many differences between these two, some of the most obvious is the type of food consumed, time of consumption, and the people you enjoy these meals with.

Afternoon Tea was more for pleasure that eventually leads to dinner. High Tea, on the other hand, was more about getting back that important nutrition lost after working hard during the day.

Another major difference is the time these meals are taken at. Afternoon Tea or ‘Low Tea’ is generally taken around 4 pm, whereas High Tea is enjoyed just before dinner.

These two types of meals have an element of socialising with people close to you. However, the difference is that Afternoon Tea was enjoyed with friends, whereas High Tea was enjoyed with family.

Ceylon Tea at the Very Centre

One thing that has not changed in both meals though is the ‘Tea’. Tea plays a major part in these meals, as they are generally enjoyed at the end of it. These beverages were mostly strong black tea of the highest quality, most notably Pure Ceylon Tea.

Today it is pretty much the same, and Zesta’s Premium Black Tea is one such high-quality black tea that is sure to top off a great Afternoon Tea and High Tea experience, as it provides that authentic flavour of black tea. Whether you serve straight, with a slice of lemon, or even with milk, your meal will be as wholesome as ever.