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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.

 

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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.

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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!

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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!

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Christmas GIF-Tea-Ing 

Christmas Tea

Christmas is around the corner and it’s the season of goodwill and cheer! People all around the world celebrate Christmas with a passion and gusto embracing the spirit of this season – giving. Strangers smile at each other, people give way, charity and goodwill abounds.

Santa Claus, stockings, festive wreaths on the doors and decorated Christmas trees in different themes are all part and parcel of the season. In the true spirit of the season there are of course gifts under the tree, waiting to be opened on Christmas morning by family and friends.

Rewind from Christmas morning and the opening of gifts and you come to the stress and worry of what to get for your loved ones for Christmas. A yearly battle that everyone dreads, it is inevitable and has to be faced and conquered.

So what can you get for Christmas that is sure to make your loved ones feel like it’s truly the season of cheer and goodwill?


Christmas Hampers

This is a gift that is sure to make anyone’s day as it will contain more than one thing. Put your loved one’s favourite things into a beautiful basket wrapped in green and red ribbon. You can include anything in a hamper. Pick Christmassy items as well as some everyday things that they are sure to use. Include a tin of Zesta’s Christmas tea with its hint of cinnamon and Marzipan that is sure to give them something to remember the joy of Christmas time.

Personalised Christmas Ornaments

This is a beautiful gift to give your special someone. Christmas ornaments are re-used year after year. There are special ornaments that survive the years and make it to the tree without fail. These could be family heirlooms, or evidence of memories made, whatever it may be, these ornaments are treasured, and this Christmas would be the best Christmas to start your own memories.

Self-Care Package for Christmas

This is a perfect gift for someone in need of a pick-me at Christmas time. Include some nice self-care items like a journal to write out their feelings, Christmas candles, bath products, Zesta’s bundle offer teas and a pair of warm comfy socks that is sure to help lift their spirits and get them to celebrate along with you in the fun and cheer.

Stuffed Stockings

Stockings are a Christmas tradition that has been around for ages. A stocking full of sweets, smaller gifts and bon bons were a bonus on Christmas mornings. Get stockings for all your loved ones and stuff them with sweet goodies and smaller inexpensive items that fit each of their personalities. You can even add Zesta’s Connoisseur’s specialised tea flavours that will suit each person. It is sure to put a smile on your loved one’s faces when they get a tiny reminder that you truly know them.

Baked Goodies

For the foodie in your circle who loves food and drink, a box of baked goodies is sure to make their Christmas. Get creative with tea-based cookies and cakes or ensure to include teas that would pair well with your home baked goodness. You can choose from Zesta’s Connoisseur range of teas for the perfect tea to be used for baking or pairing. There is no lack of choice and you can be as creative and experimental as you like.

Puppy Love on Christmas Day

Why not surprise your loved one who is in need of some company, with a gift that keeps giving throughout the year – a puppy! Give them a companion for life who will stay by their side and love them unconditionally. You can give them a Christmassy name like Rudy or Snowflake to really remember the special Christmas day with.

 

 

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Teas’ the Season

Christmas Tea

Whether you’ve been on Santa’s naughty or nice list, a cup of warm Ceylon tea will cheer just about anyone this season. Here are a few teas to choose from Zesta’s endless range!

Oh, Christmas Tea

A black tea with lingering cinnamon and marzipan notes, brew a cup of Zesta’s Christmas Tea to get yourself in the mood for all the festivities. Even if you’re looking for a last-minute gift, this tea is sure to make anyone’s day! A cup of Christmas Tea can be enjoyed at any time, especially when you start to miss the season and all its cheer.

Wake up!

After a long night of Christmas cheer and merriment, there’s nothing a good cup of English Breakfast tea can’t fix. Zesta Connoisseur English Breakfast Tea is a robust full-bodied tea that’s slightly malty and is the perfect way to start your morning. Brew a pot of tea for your loved ones and kick start the day with a cup of energy! The tea can also be enjoyed with a dash of milk.

Something for Santa

With every house leaving milk and cookies for Santa, change things up a bit with a hot cup of tea instead! Black Tea Infused with Osmanthus Flowers is relaxing and fragrant, with a light fruity taste that’ll help Santa (or yourself) unwind after a long day. The delicate Osmanthus flowers, native to China combined with Ceylon’s iconic black tea makes this one of the most popular blends, due to its soothing flavours.

Stuffed?

After all the turkey and cranberry sauce, Christmas cake and pudding, waddle towards the kitchen and brew a cup of green tea to help get rid of that ‘stuffy’ feeling. Green tea is known to aid in digestion, leaving you with more space to indulge in festive food. If you’re looking for a different, flavourful brew of green tea, browse through Zesta’s wide range of green teas blended with other ingredients like peppermint, jasmine, peach & apricot and more, to enrich your tea experience.

Sleep with Ease

A soothing cup of Zesta’a Chamomile tea is the perfect tea to brew right before you head to bed. Chamomile has been used for years as a herbal remedy, and with its calming properties, it’s the ideal tea to brew as you unwind from a long day of festivities. The tea is light yellow in colour and best enjoyed as it is.

 

 

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The Importance of Tea Etiquette in the Chinese New Year

Chinese Tea

The Chinese New Year is a unique spectacle for many an individual, as it helps connect people with their families, and re-enact centuries of tradition. While there are many rituals and traditions followed, many have changed over the years due to economic and social reasons. However, one such tradition that has not changed over the years is the tea offerings and the etiquette that comes with it. With colourful decorations come a burst of flavour too, making it a unique experience that many people wait for every year.

Generational tradition

The celebration of the Chinese New Year has many origins, and has been debated by others. However, many often trace the celebration of the Chinese New Year back to 3rd millennium BC China. As a result, the new year is depicted with a special animal that repeats in a 12-year cycle. Namely, the Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig, Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, and Dragon. Each animal having special omens. Regardless of the different omens and the changing of the animals, celebrations such as tea etiquette has stayed the same in many eastern cultures and has now become quite a spectacle even in North America and Europe. This can be attributed to the respect of the traditions the older generations pass down to the younger.

Well-wishing

The tea etiquette in the festive time gives the Chinese New Year great meaning, as it gives the younger generation the chance to appreciate the older generation with a refreshing cuppa. It also works in the opposite direction, as the elders also make it a point to give something to the young. Most often than not, it is often money or something that would delight the young folded in a red envelope. The tea etiquette starts early in the morning when the young would select some favourite treats and offer them in a ceremonious manner, with tea as the main element.

Unique tea selection

The tea selection varies and depends on certain preferences. However, there are notable types that have been used over the ages. Such variants include black teas, oolong teas, and puers (shu cha). Moreover, the leaves chosen are of the highest quality, which Zesta are proud to provide during this time of festivity. Our Large Leaf Black Tea OP, and Tie Guan Yin (Oolong tea) are perfect for the traditional tea ceremonies accompanied with the dried and candied fruits to the elders.

Connecting with your loved ones

At the end of the day, tea etiquette in the Chinese New Year is still practiced today because of how it brings families and people together, regardless of their age. Whether the festive season occurs in a time where you and your family are going through some hardship, resentment, misunderstandings, or even hatred, the tea etiquette is a symbolic tradition that ushers in the new year, a new spring to start things anew and forget about what has happened.

The Chinese New Year is a myriad of traditions filled with pageantry, cuisine, togetherness, and of course tea!

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Tea Gifts For Dad: How to Pick The Best Father’s Day Tea Gifts

Ceylon Black Tea

Father’s Day is fast approaching and you’re probably racking your brain trying to find the perfect gift for your dad; something personal, something he’ll enjoy, but also something that’s useful… 

Gift-giving is always stressful but it becomes even harder when it’s for parents because you want it to be thoughtful and for it to say ‘I appreciate everything you do for me’. Don’t stress! Zesta is your one-stop-shop not only for great tea gifts but new fun tea-related experiences to give your dad which are sure to bring a smile on his face on the 21st of June! Here are some ideas:

 

Baked Goods 

Baked goods are always a welcomed treat. Why don’t you bake your father something special like a sponge cake or some cookies, the perfect snack for an afternoon tea, and pair it with Zesta Luxury Loose Leaf Single Estate Tea? This tea is grown on one of Zesta’s tea estates in the misty mountains of Sri Lanka and has a slightly nutty, almost smokey, taste to it with a golden hue. Take your baked goodies to the next level and make some tea-infused cakes or cookies! 

 

Self Care 

One thing fathers don’t have time for is relaxation. Most of the time our dads are always on the move, rushing from one place to another so much so that they aren’t able to take some time for themselves and just relax. You can get him a book or a movie that you’ll think he’ll like, better yet make it a movie night and enjoy some family time. To de-stress even further, give your father a box of Zesta’s Pure Chamomile tea; chamomile is widely known to reduce anxiety and helps induce sleep, something your dad might need!

 

A Special Home Cooked Meal 

This is a really fun thing to do for your dad. Nothing can beat a home-cooked meal and no matter what it is, your father is sure to appreciate the gesture. If you’re looking to impress your father, try making a few Indian dishes and pair it with Zesta’s Masala Chai- a quintessential brew to accompany your Indian feast. A great tip is to make the Masala Chai as you normally would, but serve it in a nice tall glass with ice, the iced version of this traditional meal is perfect to wash down the spicy food. 

 

Take Him On A Trip Around The World… Sort Of!

Anyone would love to be taken on a vacation around the world, however, due to recent events this travel seems like a distant memory. If you can’t take your father around the world, why don’t you bring the world to him! Take your father on an international tea tasting tour from the comforts of your sofa! Apart from the Indian inspired Masala Chai, Zesta has a whole range of tea flavours originating from other exotic countries. Here are some flavours you should try:

Pure Peppermint Tea and be transported to the bustling streets of Morocco.

Zesta Exquisite Brew: Green Tea with Jasmine, one sip of this and it’ll feel as though you’re in a luxurious tearoom in China.

Zesta Premium Black Tea, have it with ice cubes and condensed milk and it will be as though you’re on the street of Bangkok sipping a Thai Iced Tea! 

If your father is not keen on “travelling”, gift him Zesta’s Ceylon Regional Pack. This bundle of teas has premium black tea from all five tea growing regions in Sri Lanka- Dimbula, Ruhuna, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Uva. 

Whatever you choose to give your dad, just know that what matters the most is that the gift comes from the heart. Take this day and do something special for your dad, because he definitely deserves it!