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 is a refreshing and flavourful drink that is perfect for hot summer days. It's made by brewing tea and then chilling it with ice. Iced tea can be served plain or with added flavors such as lemon, honey, or mint. Iced tea is a popular and healthy drink, and there are many different varieties to choose from.

The Best Tea for Iced Tea - Black, Green, and Herbal Infusions

The best tea for iced tea is a matter of personal preference. However, there are three types of tea that are commonly used. These are black tea, green tea, and herbal infusions.

Black tea is the most popular tea used to make iced tea. It has a robust flavour and can hold up well to the addition of sweeteners and other flavours. Some popular black teas for iced tea include Ceylon black tea, Darjeeling, and Earl Grey.

Green tea is lighter and more delicate tea than black tea. It has a slight vegetal flavour and is often used to make iced tea that is a bit more refreshing. Some popular green teas for iced tea include Jasmine, Sencha, and Dragonwell.

Herbal tea is not technically tea, but rather an infusion of herbs, fruits, and flowers. It's a great option for those who want a caffeine-free alternative to traditional tea. Some popular herbal teas for iced tea include mint, chamomile, hibiscus and various fruit teas.

Benefits of Drinking Iced Tea

In addition to being a refreshing drink, iced tea also has several health benefits. Fresh brewed iced tea is always better than carbonated drinks and processed juices. It will keep you hydrated and it’s a great source of antioxidants, which can help boost metabolism. Iced tea also contains less caffeine than coffee, making it a great alternative for those looking to reduce their caffeine intake. Additionally, the goodness of fruits in the tea and garnishing helps keep the immune system and skin healthy.

Infusing Iced Tea with Fruits and Herbs

One of the best things about iced tea is that it's incredibly versatile. You can infuse it with fruits and herbs to create a unique and flavourful drink. Some popular fruits and herbs to add to iced tea include lemons, oranges, strawberries, raspberries, mint, and basil. To infuse your iced tea, simply add the fruit or herbs to the tea while it's steeping. You can also add the fruit or herbs directly to the glass for a more intense flavor and as beautiful garnishing.

5 Delicious and Creative Iced Tea Recipes

Southern Sweet Tea: This is a classic iced tea that is sweet and refreshing. To make it, brew our South Melbourne Breakfast black tea and add sweetener of your choice. Add lemon slices and chill with ice.

Green Tea with Mint and Lemon: This is a refreshing and healthy iced tea that's perfect for a hot summer day. Brew Japanese Sencha green tea, add fresh mint leaves, and stir in honey. Chill with ice and add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.

Lemongrass and Ginger Iced Tea: This iced tea is packed with flavour and antioxidants. Brew Lemongrass Ginger tea, add fresh apple slices, a cinnamon stick, and a handful of mint leaves, and sweeten with honey. Chill with ice and garnish with a slice of orange.

Strawberry Basil Iced Tea: This iced tea is fruity and herbaceous. Brew English Breakfast black tea, add fresh strawberries and basil leaves, and sweetener of your choice. Chill with ice and garnish with a strawberry and a sprig of basil.

Peach Iced Tea: This is a classic iced tea with a sweet and fruity twist. We use oolong tea for this recipe. Brew Sweet Peach tea, add sliced peaches, and sweeten with honey. Chill with ice and garnish with a peach slice.

How to Make Iced Tea with Fruit Infusions

• Brew your tea using your favourite method.
• While the tea is still hot, add your preferred fruit or herb. You can also add sweeteners of your choice at this point.
• Let the tea steep for a few minutes until it's cool enough to add ice.
• Pour the tea into a glass full of ice and garnish.

Tips to Make Perfect Iced Tea Every Time

• Use loose leaf & brew it twice as strong. Eg: If you normally use 1 tsp of Lemongrass Ginger for a hot tea, use 2 tsp for your cold tea. And if you use a standard 230 ml of hot water, drop that down to 150 ml of hot water.⁠
• Go beyond standard green or black teas. Try fruit teas, rooibos teas and flavoured teas. Try different flavours. You never know what you will enjoy. ⁠
• Sweeten with juice or lemonade. Great alternative to sugar.⁠
• Go wild with fruit. ⁠
• Play with herbal infusions. Like fruit, herbs bring a lot of flavour. ⁠
• Just experiment. Unlike coffee, with iced tea if there’s a flavour you like, you can replicate it. You can have fruity, floral, savory, sweet, umami.

Your Perfect Iced Tea Recipe Awaits You!

Iced tea is a classic summer drink that is perfect for staying cool and refreshed. Whether you prefer black, green, or herbal infusions, there's a perfect iced tea recipe out there for you. Try infusing your tea with fruits and herbs for a unique and flavourful twist. Remember to use high-quality tea leaves and fresh ingredients for the best results. Cheers to a refreshing summer ahead!

Try out one of our iced tea recipes and let us know which one is your favourite!

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.

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.