Tea is the most popular beverage in the world after water. And no matter the season we can always enjoy a cup of warm or iced tea any time of the day.  Tea leaves are made from the plant Camellia sinensis. Black tea, Green tea, White tea, Oolong tea and Pu Erh tea comes from this same plant. The distinctive flavour profiles and colours that come from these tea types are due to the way the plant is processed.

Different types of tea leaves

Green tea leaves and white tea leaves are the least processed and not oxidized and therefore regarded the healthiest. Black tea leaves are fully oxidized, and oolong tea leaves are only partially oxidized. Pu Erh tea leaves are aged and considered a post oxidized tea. These tea types offer a host of health benefits. The caffeine content will vary between these teas depending on the process.

Herbal tea is not officially a tea, as it does not come from the Camellia sinensis plant, but is instead an infusion of leaves, fruits, bark, roots, or flowers of almost any edible, non-tea plant. The most common herbal teas are chamomile tea, hibiscus tea, peppermint tea, ginger, and rooibos tea. Herbal teas have been around for a long time, with our ancestors’ making infusions of the plants, roots, and herbs they saw around them for medicinal use. This practice continues today with the use of herbal teas to support a healthy mind and body.

Why is tea healthy?

Potential health benefits of tea are due to the polyphenol or flavonoids content in the tea leaves. These chemical compounds act as antioxidants, which control the damaging effects of free radicals in the body. The more tea leaves are processed, usually the less polyphenol content. But their antioxidizing power will still be high.

Health benefits of tea

No matter the season, we recommend getting into the natural, immune-boosting habit of drinking tea every day as tea has a myriad of health benefits.

• Keeps You Hydrated - Did you know that drinking 4-6 cups of tea a day is as good for keeping you hydrated as a litre of water. Whether enjoyed as a delicious hot cuppa or served on ice stay hydrated with tea.
• Great Coffee Alternative – Herbal teas are caffeine free, while traditional teas have less amounts of caffeine than typically found in coffee. Therefore, it will help boost energy and you can consume it without the jittery side effects when the caffeine wears off.
• High in Antioxidants – Tea is loaded with antioxidants that help protect your body from free radicals, keeping you healthy mentally and physically.
• May aid in weight loss – The jury is still out on this, but studies have shown that the caffeine and catechins in tea may aid with weight loss. Green tea is a popular choice for weight loss, as it contains amino acids that signal the body to burn stored fat. The caffeine in tea also helps boost energy and is ideal as a pre-workout drink. Teas are calorie free and the ideal drink to have guilt free.
• Aids in digestion – Tea aids with digestion and can treat issues from nausea to an upset stomach. It also contains tannins which has shown to reduce intestinal inflammation, which can help soothe stomach cramps and irritable bowel syndrome. Teas with ginger are a popular choice.
• Boost your mood – Drinking tea is always connected with calming and soothing effects and linked to decreased stress levels and help you unwind after a tough day.
• Boost your immune system - Tea is great for your immune system. Many types of teas have antiviral and antibacterial properties that can aid to prevent you from getting sick. Whether you’re worried about flu season, or just want to improve your overall health, a daily tea schedule will benefit you.

By incorporating tea into your lifestyle, not only is it a refreshing & aromatic treat, but there is also a myriad of benefits designed to elevate your life. So, get ready to enjoy a flavoursome and sensorial tea experience from the very first sip.

• 190g powdered brown sugar
• 5 tablespoons Tea Drop Traditional Chai Latte Powder
• 84g butter

Frosting

• 115ml Heavy cream
• 90g powdered brown sugar
• 3 teaspoons Traditional Chai Latte Powder

How to rock and roll?

1. In a large bowl add flour, salt, softened butter and eggs.
2. In a separate bowl warm up the milk and add sugar and yeast and stir till it dissolves. (Warm milk not hot -  we do not want to kill the yeastlings)
3. Begin mixing the flour mixture by slowly adding the milk mixture to it. You can use a standard mixer bowl to speed up and the process but we did it the old fashion way and used our hands to knead the dough. (this takes time and can get messy)
4. Knead the dough till it loses its stickiness and doesn’t stick to the surface.
5. Roll up the well kneaded dough into a ball and let it sit in the bowl covered with a plastic wrap. Let it rise for an hour or until doubled.
6. Now whisk together the brown sugar and the Traditional Chai Latte powder
7. Lightly flour a work surface and roll the dough out into a large and thick rectangle with even edges.
8. Spread the softened butter evenly over the dough.
9. Sprinkle evenly the chai sugar.
10. Tightly roll up the dough, forming a thick log and cut into 12 evenly sized pieces. Each about 2 inches thick.
11. Lightly grease a baking dish and fill it with the rolls. Cover with plastic wrap and let it rise for 30 minutes.
12. Remove plastic wrap. Bake the rolls in a pre-heated oven for 25-30 minutes, until golden brown at 170 ˚C.
13. In a medium-size mixing bowl, whisk together heavy cream, Traditional Chai Latte powder and powdered sugar until smooth.
14. Go ahead and drizzle on your chai cream frosting over the freshly baked rolls while it’s still warm.

        Happy Holidays! 

Quench your thirst this new year's with our newest and most delicious iced tea flavours. Enjoy our teas on ice and get ready for them to become a delicious and refreshing summer favourite. 100% natural, easy to make and can be sweetened or unsweetened.

Strawberry Guava

The perfect tea for warm nights and summer afternoons.

Beat the heat with an iced glass of our blend or indulge in a warm cuppa packed with chunks of tropical fruit, berries and floral notes for an all-natural high. Thick on the throat and light on the senses this zesty tea comes with pineapple, hibiscus, elderberries and more for an authentic punchy finish.

Tropical Sky

Take a sip of our sunny blend and be transported to the tropics.

Generous chunks of candied tropical fruit, sunny blossoms and natural flavour combine to give you a tangy tangerine finish with subtle hints of mango that will cool you down. Ideal for ice teas or warm sips of goodness, our Tropical Sky is like sunshine in your mouth.

Beat the heat of summer with our refreshing new iced teas. Try them today! 

This holiday season, we’re delighted to bring you another Christmas recipe from Elise Pulbrook, MasterChef semifinalist and cookbook creator. Elise’s Chamomile Blossom Panna Cotta adds a festive touch to your table, highlighting Tea Drop’s Chamomile Blossoms, available individually and in our Wellness Brews and Restful Retreat Gift Packs as part of our limited-edition Christmas Collection, crafted to bring calm and warmth to the season.

Imagine a luscious panna cotta that’s light, creamy, and elegantly infused with chamomile, paired with delicately poached apricots. With its beautiful aroma and soft, floral flavors, this dish is perfect for a holiday dessert, spooned out with fresh or poached seasonal fruit for a delightful finish.

Chamomile Blossoms Panna Cotta Recipe

Serves: 8 | Prep time: 10-15 minutes plus 30 minutes infusing | Setting time: 6 hours

Ingredients:

• 150ml full cream milk
• 850ml thickened cream
• 5 heaped tablespoons Tea Drop Chamomile Blossoms
• 100g honey (orange blossom honey is ideal)
• 4 gelatine leaves (from a pack where 15 leaves weigh 25g)

Instructions:

1. In a saucepan, combine the milk, cream, chamomile blossoms, and honey. Bring to a gentle heat, stirring occasionally to submerge the chamomile. Just before boiling, turn off the heat and let the mixture infuse for 30 minutes.

2. Soak the gelatine leaves in cold water for 3 to 5 minutes until softened.

3. Reheat the infused mixture until it’s nearly boiling. Remove from heat and strain one cup into a heatproof bowl. Squeeze out the gelatine leaves and whisk into the warm liquid until dissolved. Add back the remaining strained liquid and discard the tea blossoms.

4. Stir the mixture over a bowl of iced water to cool. Pour into a 1L fluted dish or individual moulds. Refrigerate for at least 6 hours.

5. To unmould, dip the bottom of the mould in hot water for 5 seconds and turn onto a plate. Serve with chamomile-poached apricots or fresh berries.

Chamomile-Poached Apricots Recipe

Ingredients:

• 500ml water
• 250g sugar
• 2 heaped tablespoons Tea Drop Chamomile Blossoms
• 1 vanilla pod (optional)
• 500g apricots, halved and stoned

Instructions:

1. Place apricot halves in a clean, heatproof jar.

2. In a saucepan, combine water, sugar, chamomile, and vanilla. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 5–10 minutes to infuse.

3. Strain the syrup over the apricots, discarding chamomile and vanilla pod, then seal the jar. Let cool, and refrigerate for at least 1 day to deepen flavours.

We’ve just launched our new Moringa Tea Range, a winter selection focused on promoting wellness in different ways through each blend's unique combination of ingredients - with a primary focus on the Moringa Leaf, a natural superfood that will be your saving grace this winter.

About Moringa

Native to South Asia & Africa, the moringa tree is known as “the miracle tree” and for good reason too - almost the entire tree has important sources of nutrition and medicinal benefits that have been used for centuries to heal wounds & treat diseases, though it’s the leaves that are the most popular. This superfood can be found throughout our new range and is rich in antioxidants, vitamins, trace minerals, and all the essential amino acids.

• May help combat malnutrition.
• May Reduce Inflammation
• Lower Cholesterol & Blood Sugar Levels
• Can Protect Against Arsenic Toxicity
• Caffeine free wellness tea
• Contains the most nutritional value compared to other plants.
• Vegan friendly

Our Moringa Range

DE STRESS - The Zen Tea

In a world full of hustles and bustles, just about everyone could use a little down time. Sit with a warm cup of our Zen invoking blend, packed with floral notes and hints of citrus. Light on the senses and bright on the taste buds, the De Stress blend includes relaxing herbs like vervain, lemongrass and moringa. Let your dark days become lighter with our De Stress blend.

REVIVE - Bounce Back to Life

Who doesn’t need a pick-me-up from time to time? Imagine the scent of toasted almonds wafting up from your cup of tea that tastes of sweet cinnamon and light bursts of citrus and toasted nuts. This festive combination of herbs, rich in antioxidants and immune boosting benefits are especially designed to put the pep back in your step and have you bouncing back to life in no time! 

FEEL GOOD - The Perfect Nightcap

The Feel-Good blend is designed for the moments just after dinner and just before bed. This Moringa based tea is packed with rich red fruity elements from red currant to pomegranate and complemented with spice and citrus to tickle your senses and put you in the perfect mood for bedtime. Its light and pleasant aroma will complete your experience and have you feeling good in no time. 

CITRUS CLEANSE - A Magical Awakening

If you like your peppermint, you will love waking up to a cup of our Citrus Cleanse. A combination of Moringa with Lemon Balm and Green Tea are especially designed to relieve stress, cleanse your soul and boost your brain power as you begin a new day. Take one good whiff of its mint and spice aroma you’ll be ready to take on the world.

STRAWBERRY MORINGA - Boost Your Immunity!

Packed with vitamins, fibre and antioxidants, strawberries and moringa are known to boost immunity and improve heart health. Lusciously fruity and fibrous in taste , this Strawberry-Moringa blend is all about all healing. For cold days and chilly nights, a light cup of this brew and its dominant flavours is just what you need to have you feeling fine in no time.

So brew up a steaming cuppa of one of our Moringa Wellness Teas and ensure you stay on top of your health this winter!