Coffee and tea are amongst the most consumed beverages in the world. People drink tea and coffee for a variety of reasons including the health benefits they provide. Often there have been debates over the two regarding the health benefits of coffee and tea - some arguing that coffee and tea almost score the same while others feel that tea wins the game.

To help determine which of the two has greater health benefits, it is crucial to look at each of them to see how they benefit people. Here, we take a look at what these beverages bring to the table and why in our opinion, tea takes the win.

Tea Benefits

Tea has more antioxidants compared to coffee
Both coffee and tea are loaded with antioxidants, mostly polyphenols that contribute to the distinctive flavour as well as the health-promoting properties of each. However, tea contains more of these antioxidants that help protect an individual’s body against damage arising from free radicals. Antioxidants can help avoid the development of some chronic diseases. Drinking green tea is going to provide you with antioxidants that help prevent inflammation.

Tea helps keep the immune system strong
To help protect the body from diseases, people need to have strong immune systems. Tea is among the beverages that help to keep the immunity strong. Regularly consuming herbal tea is going to allow your body to fight off pathogens and keep you healthy. The increased number of antioxidants also helps ensure a person has a strong immune system. 

Tea hydrates your body
When you take tea, it helps hydrate your body. Keeping your body hydrated helps with weight loss, increased energy levels, skin complexion, flushing toxins, and cognitive function, and mood elevation. When you regularly drink tea, you are adding more water in your body, helping keep it healthy.

Tea has less caffeine content 
Compared to coffee, tea contains less amount of caffeine. Whilst the caffeine content is likely to vary depending on the time you take to brew your beverage, the serving size, and the method of preparation, coffee can pack up to two times the caffeine you would find in an equal tea serving. A brewed coffee contains about 95 milligrams of caffeine when compared to 74 milligrams found in black tea of the same serving. Caffeine, whilst being associated with many health benefits, you should take it in moderation – only about 400 mg in a day. Higher amounts can bring health problems like reduced calcium in the body. If you are looking for alternative caffeine-free tea, you may want to drink something like rooibos tea, a herb that’s native to South Africa or herbal teas.

Additional benefits of tea over coffee
To make a good cup of coffee, you need a coffee maker which is both expensive and time consuming to brew. Instant coffee is quick but the flavour is nowhere the same as the cafe latte your favourite barista makes. But tea, thanks to our Soilon biodegradable tea bags you can get a loose leaf quality brew with no effort or mess. Consistency anywhere in the world at any time of the day.

"Also, did you know that there are 40 different varieties of coffee worldwide?  That’s a lot, but compare that to over 3000 varieties of tea!! Think of all the wonderful flavours there are out there waiting for you to try.
When you look at both tea and coffee, you will find that tea takes the lead when it comes to offering health benefits to your body.
Explore our wide range of teas now.

Iced tea popsicles are cold brewed iced teas and can be enjoyed all year round.

Here is an easy to make iced tea popsicle recipe for a deliciously refreshing summer treat. These homemade healthy popsicles only need 3 ingredients. Your favourite tea, cold water and a sweetener of your choice and of course a popsicle mold.

How to choose the right popsicle molds

There are a lot of various kinds of different molds for popsicles. It doesn’t matter what shape you use. These iced tea popsicles will taste amazing. You can even use a paper cup by pouring the tea brew into it and just insert a stick. It’s that simple.

What you need

• 15g Loose Leaf Tea
• 1l Cold water
• 2tbsp honey or sweetener of your choice
• Popsicle mold

How to make

• Select your favourite tea and measure 15 grams of the loose-leaf tea into a jug.
  We have used Fruits of Eden, Tropical Sky, Mango Magic & Sweet Peach.
• Add 1 ltr of cold water. There’s no need for a specific temperature, cold filtered water from the tap will be just fine.
• Let it steep overnight.
• The next day, strain the tea, discarding the steeped loose leaf.
  Stir in the honey.
• Pour the tea into your popsicle mold and place in freezer until it’s frozen solid.
• Remove from the mold before serving.

We would love to see you try this iced tea cube recipe and let us know what you think – share them on our socials @teadroptea.

 

Whilst we say 3pm time is tea time, often you find that certain teas, just like all beverages, are better suited to be consumed at different times of the day. There are no hard rules when it comes to drinking tea, that’s why tea is so much fun to explore. Some teas will work better in the morning than others. You may also find that some teas work better in the afternoon after having your lunch meal. There are also teas made to be drunk in the evening because they are able to enhance sleep.  So what tea should you drink at what time?

Morning 

In the morning when you wake up, your stomach is empty, so you want something that can help manage your stomach’s pH levels. You may want to try out white tea as it offers a great way to ease yourself into the day with reduced amounts of caffeine - a perfect early morning tea. 

For those who want something that gives more of a punch, a black tea might suit you better. It contains about half the amount of caffeine you would get from a cup of coffee. You may want to start with a traditional English Breakfast tea - a great way to kick-start your morning. 

What about Mid-Morning?

You probably have heard the phrase “Green Tea O’clock.” If you are looking for something to brighten your day, you want to drink green tea. It is a perfect choice for the mid-morning hours when you need increased concentration and focus. This tea not only tastes great, but it also helps with your brain function. 

Green tea is very popular because it features a milder flavour compared to most teas. If you are looking to fight off the growls before lunch, a Japanese style Sencha or Genmaicha is going to suppress your appetite until lunch time. With lower levels of caffeine compared to Black Tea,  it is going to spruce you up without having a crazy buzzing feeling.

And for Lunch Time...

When it comes to drinking tea during lunchtime, you can opt for Peppermint tea. A tea which is a winner at all times of the day but perfect for lunchtime. It's easy to serve and readily available in most food and beverage outlets, and also helps refresh your taste buds. 

Afternoon Tea

After lunch, you will probably want a drink that is going to do away with the sugar cravings you may have. Lemongrass Ginger is an ideal tea to have, as it helps reduce bloating whilst aiding with digestion. 

Going Early Evening!

If you are looking for something you can drink early in the evening, try out Rooibos tea. This tea is delicious and offers you the flavour you need for a delicious drink. Rooibos is caffeine-free, offering you a great alternative to the non-caffeinated drinks. The South African red herb brings with its flavours of Vanilla and Caramel making it so delicious. It’s great for tea enthusiasts needing alcohol free beverage options – cold or hot, and rich in antioxidants. 

For Bed Time?

When it comes to bedtime, you need a tea for sleep. So, you want to consider Chamomile tea, one of the most popular teas to help relax. It is soothing, calming, and offers you a perfect way to get to bed. When you add Lavender and Rose, you get all the good stuff you need to set you up for that good night’s sleep. 

So, these are some of the teas that you can drink at different hours of the day or night. Something to mention here is that because everyone has varying caffeine requirements and sensitivity, this tea-drinking guide serves as your starting point. You can experiment and develop your own guide as you discover what tea works best for you at what time. The idea is; tea is a great choice and a fun way to explore your world. It’s affordable. You can enjoy it anytime, anywhere – whether on your sofa in the comfort of your home or even on your desk at the workplace.  

Want to explore different varieties and types of tea you can drink at different times of the day? Tea Drop offers you a huge collection of tea. Explore our range now.

As avid chocolate lovers, we can confidently say that drinking chocolate is a favourite after tea. Not only is it rich and delicious, but it also has a long and fascinating history that dates to ancient civilizations. With Easter quickly approaching, we can't think of a better way to celebrate the occasion than with a warm cup of drinking chocolate.

Drinking Chocolate and Its History

Drinking chocolate, also known as hot chocolate, is a beverage made from melted chocolate or cocoa powder and milk or water. It has been enjoyed for thousands of years and was first consumed by the ancient Mayans and Aztecs in Central America. They believed that chocolate was a gift from the gods and used it in religious ceremonies and as a form of currency.

When the Spanish arrived in Central America in the 16th century, they introduced chocolate to Europe, where it quickly became popular among the wealthy. Over time, drinking chocolate evolved and new variations were created, including the addition of sugar, spices, and whipped cream.

Today, drinking chocolate is enjoyed all over the world and is a beloved treat during the Easter season.

How to Make Homemade Drinking Chocolate

Making homemade drinking chocolate is easy and can be done with just a few simple ingredients.

Ingredients:  2 cups of milk (or your preferred choice) - 4 oz of chocolate (chopped or in chip form) - 1 tablespoon of sugar (optional)

How to make:

• In a medium saucepan, heat the milk over medium heat until it starts to steam.
• Add the chocolate and stir until it's melted and combined with the milk.
• If desired, add sugar and continue stirring until it's completely dissolved.
• Remove from heat and serve immediately.
• This basic recipe can be customized to your liking by adding different flavors such as vanilla extract, cinnamon, or even a pinch of cayenne pepper for a spicy kick.

Pairing Drinking Chocolate with Easter Treats

Drinking chocolate is the perfect complement to any Easter treat. Whether you're enjoying a slice of carrot cake or a handful of jellybeans, a warm cup of drinking chocolate is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. Here are a few of our favorite pairings:

• Dark chocolate drinking chocolate with a slice of chocolate cake.
• White chocolate drinking chocolate with a lemon tart.
• Spicy drinking chocolate with a cinnamon roll.
• Mint drinking chocolate with a chocolate egg.

Where to Buy Quality Drinking Chocolate

While making homemade drinking chocolate is always a treat, sometimes you just want to sit back and enjoy a pre-made cup.  When shopping for drinking chocolate, you must always look for a brand that uses high quality ingredients and has a rich smooth, texture.

Tea Drop’s premium drinking chocolate comes perfectly blended with the finest West African cocoa powder and raw Australian cane sugar for a melt-in-the-mouth drinking experience, complete with hints of fruit and raw sweetness. Indulgent, silky from the high cocoa butter content, the flavour of deep, classic chocolate lingers on your taste buds.

Unique and Delicious Hot Chocolate Recipes for Easter

While a classic cup of homemade drinking chocolate is always delicious, why not switch things up and try a unique and festive recipe for Easter? Here are a few our favorites:

• Cadbury Crème Egg Hot Chocolate

Ingredients: - 2 cups of milk of your choice, 40gs of Tea Drop Artisan Drinking Chocolate, 2 Cadbury Creme Eggs & Whipped cream (optional)

Instructions: In a medium saucepan, heat the milk over medium heat until it starts to steam. 2. Add the chocolate and Cadbury Creme Eggs and stir until they're melted and combined with the milk. 3. Remove from heat and pour into mugs. 4. Top with whipped cream and enjoy!

• Carrot Cake Hot Chocolate

Ingredients: - 2 cups of milk of your choice, 40g Tea Drop Artisan Drinking Chocolate, 1/2 cup of carrot juice , 2 tbs of Tea Drop chai concentrate & Whipped cream (optional)

Instructions:  In a medium saucepan, heat the milk over medium heat until it starts to steam. 2. Add the chocolate, carrot juice, and chai concentrate and stir and combine with the milk. 3. Remove from heat and pour into mugs. 4. Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon and enjoy!

• Marshmallow Hot Chocolate

Ingredients: - 2 cups of milk of your choice, 40g of Tea Drop Artisan Drinking chocolate, 4 marshmallow squares & Whipped cream (optional)

Instructions: In a medium saucepan, heat the milk over medium heat until it starts to steam.  Add the chocolate and marshmallow and stir until they're melted and combined with the milk. Remove from heat and pour into mugs. Top with whipped cream and more marshmallows and enjoy!

Try out one of the above drinking chocolate recipes and let us know which one is your favourite!

Drinking Chocolate Gift Ideas for Easter

If you're looking for a unique and delicious Easter gift, consider giving the gift of drinking chocolate. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• A gift basket filled with Tea Drop’s Artisan Drinking Chocolate, Honey Spice Sticky Chai and Easter candy.
• A set of festive mugs and Tea Drop’s Artisan Drinking Chocolate & Parisian Vanilla
• A hot chocolate bomb kit with instructions for making homemade hot chocolate bombs.

Tips for Serving the Perfect Cup of Drinking Chocolate

Serving the perfect cup of drinking chocolate is all about attention to detail. Here are a few tips to help you achieve chocolate perfection:

• Use high-quality ingredients.
• Heat the milk slowly to prevent scorching.
• Stir constantly to prevent lumps and ensure a smooth texture.
• Serve in a pre-warmed mug.
• Top with whipped cream, marshmallows, or other toppings of your choice

Why Drinking Chocolate is the Perfect Addition to Your Easter Celebration

Drinking chocolate has a rich and fascinating history and is the perfect addition to any Easter celebration. Whether you're enjoying a classic cup of homemade hot chocolate or trying out a unique and festive recipe, drinking chocolate is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. Pair it with your favorite Easter treats, give it as a gift, or serve it up as the perfect ending to your Easter meal. No matter how you choose to enjoy it, drinking chocolate is a delicious and decadent way to celebrate the holiday season.

 

 

If you love all things mint, then this is the drink for you. We paired our Tea Drop peppermint tea with everyone’s favourite cocktail “mojito” and voila!  A refreshing peppermint tea infused mojito for the weekend.  

What you need

• Tea Drop Peppermint tea
• Mint leaves
• Lime wedges
• Honey
• White rum (optional)
• Club Soda
• Ice cubes

Note: Play with your quantities to suit your taste.

How to 

• Brewing the tea: Brew 3 Teaspoons of loose-leaf peppermint tea for 3 -4 minutes in 230ml at 99 °C
• Add mint leaves, lime wedge and honey into a cocktail shaker.
• Use a muddler and crush to release mint oil and lime juice.
• Add the brewed tea and rum to the mixture and shake.
• Strain and pour into an ice filled tall glass.
• Top up with club soda.
• Garnish with mint and serve.

Peppermint Tea

Our peppermint tea is a premium hand-crafted blend using only the freshest peppermint leaves. It has been packed in small batches to maintain superior flavour and freshness. Taste the difference with Tea Drop today!