Author: Eshan Fernando

Colloquially referred to as Avurudu in Sinhala or Puthandu in Tamil, the festival marks the New Year for the Sinhalese and Tamil communities on the island. The annual event brings the entire nation together to partake in traditions and games.

What is Avurudu?
Traditionally celebrated by the Sinhalese and Tamil, the New Year has now been integrated to numerous households in the country as it brings people and families together. The festival is celebrated with a series of traditions, food, and fun games that take place during the day and involve the entire community.

Food
The ‘Avurudu table’ is a colourful, decorative affair consisting of traditional Sri Lankan treats like kavum, mun kavum, kokis, asmee, peni walalu, athirasa, etc. All of this is usually accompanied by a few cups of the nation’s finest beverage; Zesta Ceylon tea, a common addition to the Avurudu table. As the new year dawns, families gather around a clay pot with milk and watch it boil over; which signifies prosperity and happiness for the entire family. Milk rice is the next traditional item to be cooked. In Hindu households, sweet rice is made with red raw rice, jaggery, ghee, plums and cashew nuts.

Games
The festival is celebrated with a range of games involving the entire community, like kotta pora, kana mutt, sack races, kabaddi to name a few traditional games. Children and adults from the village gather to take part in games. Offices and schools even partake in the Avurudu ceremonies.

The Call of the Koha
During the period leading up to the new year, the call of the Koha echoes through the village. Also known as the Cuckoo-bird, the Koha’s song marks the beginning of the new year and its festivities.

Other Traditions
From lucky colours to auspicious times, the Sinhala and Tamil New Year is deeply rooted in traditions. The ganadenu tradition consists of when children offer betel leaves to worship parents and in exchange get some cash. The applying of oil by the chief monk is another significant Avurudu event.

Explore our exclusive collection of Zesta Ceylon Tea here.

Ever since the British initiated the High-Tea tradition in the 1700s, it has caught on and to-date remains a fun and classy affair around the world. It has evolved throughout the years and can either be a casual, simple occasion or a fully-fledged soiree. Either way, there are some fundamental rules and traditions that one must adhere to when throwing a par-tea!

1. Setting the scene

Tea parties are a great way to celebrate occasions; be it a bridal shower, a baby shower, a birthday party or just a simple gathering of friends, you can’t go wrong with it.

Since it is a special occasion, the first thing to check is the location and setting. When you mention “tea-party”, the first image that pops into your head is usually an outdoor garden like setting. However, one can still choose an indoor setting as well. If it is an outdoor setting, you don’t have to worry about light too much unless the party would go beyond the dusk hours. In that case, you could bring out the candles or turn on the fairy lights that line the trees or bushes. If you opt for an indoor setting, keeping the lighting gentle and dim is perfect!

Bring out the fancy tablecloth and the Chinaware. However, it doesn’t always have to be fancy; using mismatched tea sets look very appealing and adds more character to the table. Arrange your cutlery, teacups, saucers, teapots and tiered cake stands if you’ve got them, neatly on the table, along with napkins. You could choose to have some fresh flowers as the centrepiece of the table to align with your garden themed party.

2. Dress code

The tea party is a serious affair and therefore, the dress code must be appropriate. To be able to give a better idea to the guests, you could mention the themes. Some great examples of themes are Mad Hatter party; if it is a gender reveal party, it could be pink or blue as the main colour; floral attire; Victorian and Disney princess. The choices are limitless. A fun way of encouraging guests to dress up is to announce that at the end of the day, the best-dressed guest would win some great goodies. Everyone loves to win; therefore, this is a fool-proof idea.

3. The tea

There can’t be a tea party without tea. This is the centre of the occasion and the part where you don’t have to limit yourself because you get to indulge in the many varieties of tea available. Browse through our online stores to find out just how many tea types Zesta has on offer, whether black, flavoured, green or herbal.  Experiment with flavours and brew a couple of different types of tea and have them ready in the teapots. You could also opt to serve each guest with their own tray inclusive of a pot, jug of milk and necessary condiments and invite them to make their own brew. This would be an interactive experience that would liven up the party as well. If guests prefer to have iced-teas, it can be made possible by having a dispenser offering just that. Apart from tea, do make sure there is water available. To make the jug of water look not so boring, you could add a few slices of lemon or orange which will also serve as palate cleansers.

4. The spread

Since there is a variety of tea, the choices of food items should not be limited. Sandwiches; a hassle-free and easy to prepare snack. To ensure they don’t get soggy, it is advisable to prepare the fillings beforehand and assemble them just before the party begins. Have a variety of fillings available to entertain different taste and diet preferences. For example, have vegetarian and pescatarian friendly options. To avoid confusion, put up pretty labels which will also add to the table decorations. Cake; every party needs a cake, especially when it involves tea. You could either have a big cake for the centrepiece or have cupcakes beautifully arranged in a tiered cake stand; either way, they would look quite appealing. The preferred cakes to be served are usually the light, fruity ones like lemon sponge cake or Victoria sponge cake- a classic sponge cake with whipped creams or jam. However, if you would prefer a denser, rich chocolate cake, by all means, go ahead. Scones; another classic item which is very easy to make  pair up very well with butter and jam or fruit yoghurt.

5. Interact

Now that everything else is in place, the most important part is to interact with your guests; catch up, introduce the guests to each other. Opt to set the tone with your favourite music, preferably on a low volume so it won’t drown out conversations. To make the event more interactive and fun, turn the party into an impromptu open mic session or perform some stand-up comedy. Reminder: Do not forget to take pictures of the event and the guests. These are not the only moments that you will cherish forever but will also be proof of the best tea party you’ve ever hosted.

Explore our exclusive collection of Zesta Ceylon Tea here.

A cup of tea is always a good idea – but what type of tea might suit the mood you’re currently in? Don’t you want to know which tea will lift your spirits and which will calm your nerves? Is there really a difference? Stay tuned and we’ll give you the best tea to suit you.

Good Morning Sunshine!

Whether you’re a morning person or not, a classic cup of English Breakfast or Earl Grey will be the perfect morning pick me up. Start your day with a spring in your step while the birds are busy chirping outside. Our combo of English Breakfast and Earl Grey was handcrafted to be the ideal starting pack for anyone and everyone – especially if they don’t like mornings. English Breakfast tea is a full-bodied, black Ceylon tea that is packed with a whole heap of health benefits – check out the health benefits of Ceylon black tea.

Is It Time for a Break, Yet?

Just turned in a big project or finished a stressful meeting with a difficult client? Relax, breathe in and out and make yourself a cup of Tie Guan Yin; an oolong tea that’s sourced from Fuijan province of China. This oolong tea is sure to give you that quick boost of confidence and relaxation after a stressful couple of hours. Take your cup to a quiet corner of the room and enjoy it – a tea like this deserves some attention!

Get Out of That Noon Slump

Do you often wonder why time seems to slow down after 4pm, especially when you’re at your desk job? A quick break with a warm cup of green tea will not only make the rest of the hours fly by faster, but you’ll also get that sudden boost of energy to get through the rest of the day!

Uh-Oh, I Feel A Cold Coming In

Is your nose starting to get heavy and blocked? If you’re starting to feel under the weather, our lemon black tea is sure to nourish you back to health. Read about the benefits of lemon tea with an added tinge of honey that works well if you’ve got a cold and a sore throat. Honey is known to soothe throat – read more health benefits of lemon tea and honey here.

I’m Stuffed!

Ate too much at your last meal? That’s okay – make yourself a cup of Zesta Connoisseur Peppermint tea is believed to aid in digestion and acts as a great palate cleanser, just in case you need to get ready for your next meal. Peppermint tea is known to be good for digestion, especially after a heavy meal, which also helps alleviate bloating!

Get Inspired

Facing a creative block at work? Fret not! A cup of Zesta Exquisite Brew: Blueberry & Pomegranate will sure get your creative juices flowing and churning. Challenge yourself to think out of the box as you try this fruity flavoured tea, which can be drunk either hot or iced.

Can’t Sleep?

We’ve all had those days when insomnia or a restless night slowly creeps its way into our lives. Tea is generally known to help relax you, but the most ideal tea to help ease your mind and get you ready for bed is a cup of chamomile tea. Try the Zesta Connoisseur Chamomile the next time sleep doesn’t come to you as easily as it should.

It is well known that tea was first discovered in China many years ago and since then, it has spread across the globe. Many countries have made their own version of tea by either tweaking the recipe or altering the way it is prepared and made it their customary item. Let’s go around the world, one tea tradition at a time.

Morocco

What comes to your mind when you hear tea and Morocco? Moroccan mint tea! The Moroccans way of having tea is to infuse the green tea with spearmint leaves and a generous serving of sugar. Brewing and drinking tea in Morocco is a tradition that is carried out with great care and signifies great hospitality.

The preparation of tea is referred to as atai and is customarily done in front of the guests. A tea ready for drinking should ideally have foam on top. To get this, the tea is usually poured from a long-curved spout teapot from at least a height of twelve inches. If the tea still doesn’t foam, it indicates that it needs to be steeped for longer. According to some traditions, the tea is served from the same pot thrice to each guest and it is considered rude to refuse the servings. The idea behind it is that each serving tastes different from the preceding one and it is related to a proverb that goes “The first glass is as gentle as life, the second is as strong as love, the third is as bitter as death.”

India

India is not only a consumer of tea; they also produce tea. The most popular variant of tea is what is called “masala chai”. This absolutely delightful concoction consists of a combination of spices like ginger, cinnamon, cardamom and pepper. There are different variations to this recipe as well; for example, some add lemongrass and or nutmeg to the mix. The availability of ready-made masala chai mix makes it more convenient to prepare your own masala chai- just add your preferred amount along with your black tea, bring it to boil and enjoy!

The chai is an archetypal beverage in India and is consumed throughout the day and offered to guests. Most locals and tourists love to visit the “chai wallahs” also known as chai vendors, who set up a small stall where they brew the tea in clay pots. These clay pots also contribute to enhancing the flavour of the chai.

China

Gongfu Tea is the traditional tea ceremony in China which involves the ritualized preparation and presentation of tea. The Chinese are known to pay great attention to their tea and their ritual consists of many tea making equipments such as tureen, tongs, tea towels, brewing trays, strainers and even scent cups. The scent cup is only used for smelling the tea. The hosts invite the guests to smell the tea leaves before going on to the process of brewing. Once the tea is ready to be served, the traditional way of serving is the cups are arranged in a circle and the tea is poured into all cups in one continuous motion around and around until the cups are three-quarters full. The guests are then expected to hold the cup, not with two fingers in the handle, but in a cradling gesture using both hands. They are advised to smell the aroma of the tea, drink it in small sips and savour the flavour simultaneously. A majority of the Chinese population consumes tea daily, that’s why Zesta thought it fit to develop an online store in Mandarin to cater to the large fan base of Ceylon tea in China!

The United Kingdom

At present, tea plays an important role in every person’s day-to-day life. Tea was first made known to United Kingdom in the 17^th Century, soon after the Chinese discovered it. It was considered a luxury item back in the day and only royalty could afford it. The most popular tea tradition that belongs to the British is the afternoon tea, a trend that was started by Anna, the seventh Duchess of Bedford in the 1800s. Afternoon tea consisted of tea that was served with a range of cakes, pastries and sandwiches. This tradition caught on and to date remains popular and is known as ” high-tea”.

Thailand

Thailand is known for its famous amber-coloured Thai iced tea, which usually uses tea from Sri Lanka, along with condensed milk. What makes them unique to Thailand is the addition of certain spices like tamarind and or orange blossom. The tea is usually served cold in a tall glass. Sometimes, to create a more visually pleasing glass of tea, some vendors and restaurants pour evaporated milk gently on top to create a colour gradient down the glass. This tea is favourable during the summer days in the country and also complements Thai cuisine very well.

Malaysia

Malaysian signature tea is no different from Thai tea; it is made of black tea, sugar and condensed milk. But what makes Malaysian tea unique is the way it is made. They are known for their “pulled tea” locally known as teh Tarik. The tea is mixed using two mugs by pouring the tea back and forth repeatedly, allowing the air to cool it down during its process. The result is a well-mixed, “pulled” and particularly frothy textured tea. The making of teh Tarik is an art in itself and as its popularity grew, so did the showmanship of the skill. It is indeed a delight to see this process and will definitely leave you in awe!

A tall glass of aromatic iced tea is the ideal treat for those hot summer days, where you can kick back with a glass or jug of tangy, sweet iced tea to beautifully counter the sweltering heat of the sun. Here are some facts you may not have known about this delicious beverage!

Cold water makes for a better iced tea!

What it means is, start the process by using cool water, instead of using already boiled or hot water. Why? Because cooler water has more oxygen, a mandatory ingredient required to open up the flavonoids in the tea leaves while they are being boiled. This process enables to obtain the optimum flavour of the tea. You could choose one from among Zesta’s flavoured tea range or even choose a pure black tea to make your iced tea; the choices are endless! You could either serve it immediately by pouring it over heaps of ice cubes or you could refrigerate it for a while longer.

Tip- Always squeeze a bit of lemon or lime into your iced tea or add in slices of lemon for an optimum taste experience. The secret behind it is that the citric acid from the lime juice preserves the flavonoids in the tea.

Fun Fact- There is a term for when tea leaves uncurl and open while hot water is poured onto them; it is known as “the agony of the leaves”

June is National Iced Tea Month

Americans love iced teas as opposed to the British who prefer it steaming hot. There are statistics that prove the love of iced tea in America. The Tea Association of the U.S.A Inc. has revealed that an estimated 80% of the tea consumed in the country is iced. That’s quite a big number and therefore, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that they have a whole month dedicated to celebrating the goodness of iced teas. June 10^th is the National Iced Tea Day.

Iced tea became popular during a fair

It was a very hot summer day back in the 1904s at the World’s Fair in St. Louis. Many people were flocking in to view the newly constructed buildings that contributed to the skyline. This only made the heat more unbearable. A smart vendor, Richard Belchynden, who had a stall that sold hot teas, had an epiphany to circulate and cool the tea by passing it through lead pipes that were immersed in ice. The result was a refreshing glass of iced tea which became an instant hit! That particular moment marks the exact point that iced teas became popular in every household, all over the world! Ever since that day, iced tea is known as one of the best, healthy drinks to beat the heat.

Fun Fact- With the surge in iced teas, there was also an increased sale of tall glasses so much so that they were referred to as “iced tea glasses”. At present, however, mason jars with handles seem to be more popular!

Long Island Iced Tea is actually non-alcoholic

The Long Island Iced Tea Corporation is actually a non-alcoholic iced tea company. Due to the popularity of the boozy beverage with the same name, the company has taken action to trademark their label. But do not fret, the ever so popular boozy drink will still be available and there is a chance the company might venture out to make their own boozy version too. Did you also know that the boozy Long Island Iced Tea does not, in fact, contain any tea? Its concoction consists of about 4 different liquors and a splash of Coca Cola which is mixed to simply taste like its name.

Fun Fact- Believe it or not, tea was a well-known ingredient to make cocktails during the 1700s! Tea was mixed in with rum, brandy and or champagne. To date, there are many tea-tails available; a perfect drink if your cocktail hour clashes with tea time.

Tea is good for you

Regardless of how it is served, hot or cold, tea is good for you! It is a great hydrating agent and is approved by the Harvard School of Public Health as one of the best sources of hydration. It is also a great anti-oxidant; it is good for your skin as they reduce premature ageing and further protects it from harmful substances. Green tea is known to reduce the levels of bad cholesterol and thus reduce the risks of heart attack. Apart from its physical benefits, it is also a great destressing agent and thus helps to calm your nerves.

So be it a deadline that is looming over your head or you want to keep your skin hydrated and protected, the answer to your problem is only a glass of tea away!

Explore our exclusive collection of Zesta Ceylon Tea here.

Tea has become a quintessential part of most cultures in the world. Here are some interesting facts about tea to read while you sip on your favourite freshly brewed goodness.

The discovery of tea

According to the Chinese legends, tea was discovered by the emperor Shen Nong in 2737 BCE. The discovery was accidental; it is said that while the emperor was boiling water in his garden, a tea leaf had fallen into it. As he was also a herbalist, he was curious. So, he decided to drink the infusion. He proceeded to research the plant and discovered many medicinal properties. Tea was then considered to be a more medicinal concoction rather than a simple beverage.

It is popular

Tea is the second most popular drink in the world; the first being, water. The tea market is worth more than $40 billion. Out of this, the Turkish population contributes to the majority of the tea market, with each Turkish individual consuming an average of seven pounds of tea annually. They also produce about one-fifth of the world’s tea supply. The second-biggest tea consumers are the Irish, whose average consumption is about five pounds per year, per person.

Tea culture differs in every country

One of the most interesting facts about tea is the diversity present in every country.

• China- The Chinese have a traditional tea ceremony called the Gongfu tea. This is an event that involves the ritualized preparation and presentation of tea.
• India- The popular variant of tea in India is known as the “masala chai” which includes a mix of spices like cinnamon, ginger and cardamom to the black tea.
• Malaysia- They are known for their “pulled” teas which involve transferring tea from two mugs back and forth from quite the height! This process helps aerate the tea and form the characteristic foams on the tea.
• Russia- Tea is traditionally brewed in a samovar, which is a heated metal container. This helps to keep the tea warm for hours.
• America- Americans love iced teas. In fact, about 85% of the tea sold in the USA are from iced tea.

Different teas have their own brewing time

Most are unaware of this and hence, do not get the optimum flavour of the tea. Herbal and black teas require to be heated at high temperatures for a longer time. The boiling point of water is 212° F. With that reference in mind, the ideal temperatures for black tea is 203° F and the optimum seeping time is 3-5 minutes, while it is 212° F for herbal tea. On the other hand, green and white teas require lesser heat varying from about 176° F to 185 ° F and a seeping time of about 2-3 minutes.

The tea bag was introduced only in the 1900s

Again, this was an incidental finding. A tea importer decided to send samples in little silk bags and instead of taking the tea out, they decided to brew a cup with the whole bag in it. Following this, the practice became popular and instead of silk bags, they were packed in gauze packets. It was convenient and additionally, reduced the wastage of tea.

It is good for health

There are many studies that show innumerable health benefits that are associated with tea. It is said that green and oolong tea helps reduce the risk of cardiac diseases and promotes mental well-being as they are a de-stressing agent. Green tea is also popularly known for its anti-oxidant properties that are great for the skin

Sri Lanka is well known for its tea

Sri Lanka is one of the tea producing countries amidst Turkey, Iran, Japan, India and China. Tea is one of the main sources of foreign exchange in Sri Lanka. There are three main types of tea cultivation; high-grown, mid-grown and low-grown. All types of tea are available in the country. But they are most famous for their high-quality tea as the cool temperatures, rainfall and humidity in the highlands provide an optimum environment for tea manufacturers like Zesta.

Green tea and black tea come from the same plant

Camellia sinensis is the name of the plant from which most tea is produced. The types of tea are a result of varying methods of how the leaves are processed. Black tea is the most oxidized while white tea is the least oxidized.

Explore our exclusive collection of Zesta Ceylon Tea here.

Zesta Tea Cup, Hatton
A warm cup of Zesta tea, while you’re overlooking the island’s mountains, is one of the best ways to enjoy Ceylon tea. When you’re in Hatton, Sri Lanka, look for the large yellow Zesta tea cup and you’ll be sipping tea in no time. The onsite boutique located on the A7 Avissawella-Hatton-Nuwara Eliya Highway means you can even buy your favourite flavour of tea.

Galle Fort, Galle
Galle Fort is steeped in history dating back to 1588 when the country was under the rule of the Portuguese, Dutch and British. While you’re strolling along the cobble-stoned pathways, you’ll find a little Zesta boutique selling a range of the brand’s most exotic flavoured teas on Small Cross Street in Galle.

Liberty Plaza, Colombo
The Zesta Gift Tea Boutique located on the ground floor of the Liberty Plaza Shopping Complex offers a variety of premium estate teas from Dambulla, Uva and Nuwara Eliya. Perfect for personal use or gifts, the tea is sold in foil, wood, reed and staple-free packaging. The shopping plaza is located on R.A.De Mel Mawatha, Colombo.

Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayaka
Jetting off so soon? Before you depart, head over to the Zesta Gift Tea Boutique and get some Ceylon tea. This boutique displays the best of estate teas from Nuwara Eliya, Uva and Dambulla. Tea is sold in wooden, reed, foil and other packaging. The outlet at the airport was designed to cater to travellers who were in a rush or looking for some last-minute souvenirs.

If you missed any of these boutiques, you can get your favourite cuppa delivered to your doorstep. Browse through a wide range of Zesta Ceylon Teas here: https://www.zestaceylontea.com/shop/

Around the world, Ceylon tea has become a household name and a trademark name for high-quality tea. Even after independence in 1970, the demand for Ceylon tea continued to grow, until the island became the largest exporter of tea.

Origins

Tea was initially first discovered in China, approximately 5,000 years ago by Emperor Shen Nung. In 1824, the first tea bush was planted in Ceylon (the former name for Sri Lanka). It wasn’t until the turn of the 19th century, that tea was became popular around the world, especially Ceylon tea.

Ceylon Tea

Ceylon tea is famed for its outstanding quality and superior, unparalleled taste and variety of tea. According to the 2017 EU Surveillance Report, Ceylon tea was marked as the cleanest tea in the market with regard to the pesticides and other chemicals usually found in tea. In 1997 and 1999, ISO declared Ceylon tea as the cleanest as well when it came to pesticide residue. The island was also the first to achieve the status of being “Ozone Friendly Tea” by the Montreal Protocol Treaty.

The Lion Logo

The legal branding of ‘Ceylon Tea’ is denoted by the iconic Lion logo, which is also represented in the national flag of the country. Any tea that is grown and manufactured in Sri Lanka has to adhere to stringent standards of quality that are set out by the Sri Lanka Tea Board. Any tea marked with the Lion logo represents quality tea that is Sri Lankan, i.e. it’s not mixed with tea from anywhere else in
the world. Any tea with the lion logo should also be packed in Sri Lanka before being exported or distributed.

Tea Types

There are five areas where tea is grown in Sri Lanka, each yielding a different flavour and taste of tea. Tea originated from the Camellia Sinensis plant, but it’s the weather, soil and elevation of the tea plantation that brings about this change in flavour and taste.

Ceylon black tea is world renowned and the most popular in the market. Tea leaves are plucked by the skilled hands of tea-pluckers, where only two leaves and the bud is nipped off. Once the leaves are collected, they are then left to wither, before being rolled, fermented, dried and finally sifted. Once the sifting process is complete, they are separated into different grades of tea. Each grade of black tea has different colours and intensities.

Green tea is the second most popular type of Ceylon tea. Once plucked from the same Camellia Sinensis bush, the leaves are withered, heated and then rolled, before being dried and sifted. To make green tea, the process of fermentation is skipped.

White tea is a special and exclusive type of Ceylon tea and quite possibly the most expensive due to its rarity. White tea is often referred to as Silver Tips. To make white tea, only the buds from the tea plant are plucked at dawn. They are hand rolled individually and not fermented. White tea is light in colour and subtle when compared to Ceylon black tea, and is packed with more antioxidants than the other two types of tea, thus making it one of the healthiest beverages.