Tea is an infusion of fresh leaves from the Camellia sinensis plant. The beverage is known to be the most consumed in the world, after water. Over the years, tea drinkers have heard the health benefits and drawbacks of drinking tea. But can tea actually improve your health or is it one big myth?

The roots of tea

Tea was first discovered in China by the emperor and herbalist, Shen Nong; in 2737 B.C when a few leaves from the Camellia sinensis bush floated into his cup of hot water. The herbalist tasted this new infusion and thus, the era of tea began! Tea then began to spread rapidly throughout the western world, where traders would illegally sell tea to the highest bidder. It was only much later when tea began to grow in countries like Sri Lanka that China lost its monopoly over the industry.

Varieties of tea

There are 4 main varieties of tea and each of them have health benefits. Black, white, green and oolong teas all stem from the Camellia sinensis plant. The only difference is how each of them are processed. The process refers to the oxidation of tea and by exposing the leaves to air, tea artisans can create different aromas and flavours from it. Tea that is less oxidized has a gentle and lighter aroma and taste such as oolong tea, while tea that is more heavily oxidized will have a dark red/brown tone such as black tea. White and green tea is not oxidized and have a light, pale yellow colour. It should also be noted that herbal teas are not made from the Camellia sinensis plant, but rather are a combination of several other ingredients such as seeds, flowers, roots and other herbs such as Cinnamon, Chamomile etc.

Ceylon tea

Sri Lanka, known for its iconic Ceylon tea is famed for its rich tastes and aromas and comes in black, white and green varieties. Ceylon tea in comparison to tea found in other countries are often characterized by its unique Dimbula tea character and hints of citrus. Ceylon green tea has a stronger flavour than other green teas, while Ceylon white tea is loved by tea lovers from around the world as it has undertones of honey. Tea is grown around the year on the island and has thus become the second largest country that produces tea. Another unique feature of Ceylon tea is the fact that so much variety is produced on an island that is geographically so small. Ceylon tea is rich in minerals, antioxidants, vitamins A, B1, B6 and C.

Black tea

Black tea and your heart

Black tea is known to be packed with antioxidants, particularly Ceylon black tea, which improves cardiovascular health. The high amount of antioxidants in Ceylon black tea will not only improve your heart’s health, but will also help to lower blood pressure and cholesterol. The presence of flavonoids aid in limiting cardiovascular diseases and preventing heart attacks. Ceylon black tea contains an amount of potassium that’s crucial to your heart’s health as it relaxes the built up tension in the arteries and blood vessels, which in turn helps to maintain healthy levels of your heart and reduce the strain on it. Having a cup of Ceylon tea at the start of your day, followed by fruits that are rich in potassium, like bananas, can be highly beneficial to your heart’s long term health. However, do keep in mind that drinking black tea isn’t going to solve any cardiovascular disease, and it only acts as an aid.

Black tea and your immune system

Black tea boosts your immune system. The tannins present in black tea, which are a group of organic molecules present in plants, will help in protecting and preventing viruses like a cold and flu. Ceylon tea can help improve the body’s response time to fight foreign agents and pathogens and keep off any illness. The antioxidants in Ceylon tea also help in reducing oxidative stress. Black tea is packed with vitamins and essential minerals to maintain your body’s health levels. Studies conducted throughout the years have shown that the tannins present in black tea help fight certain viruses, hepatitis and dysentery.

Black tea and cancer

It is a common statement that black tea helps in preventing various forms of cancer. Black tea is only one of the many things that aid in preventing cancerous cells from developing, and not the sole prevention for cancer. It has been stated that the compound present in black tea which helps to prevent the onset of cancer is known as TF-2, which causes apoptosis of cancer cells, and helps to stop cancer cells from growing. Ceylon black tea aids in preventing damage to the cells caused by free radicals; which have the potential to age your skin’s cells and lower the body’s defence system thereby bringing about the growth of tumorous cells. Though not clearly confirmed, the consumption of black tea plays a role in preventing breast cancer, stomach and prostate cancer.

Black tea and beauty

Black tea has been used to improve the skin by nourishing it with vitamins B2, C and E, minerals such as zinc, potassium and magnesium and with the essential polyphenols and tannins. The caffeine along with some chemical components can aid in preventing oral viruses which could develop into skin infections. Black tea has also been known to reduce the signs of premature aging. Directly applying black tea bags beneath your eyes can reduce dark circles. In addition, the caffeine and high level of antioxidants present in black tea is wondrous for your hair health and its growth.  By adding black tea to your hair care routine, it can add shine to your hair. However, keep in mind that excessive caffeine might stunt your hair growth.

Green tea

Ceylon green tea has high levels of antioxidants as the teas are not fermented or oxidized, however in comparison to Black tea, the health benefits of Green tea are marginally different.

Green tea and weight loss

A common misconception is that green tea will make you lose weight. It is important to debunk this myth, as green tea only aids in removing water weight and not fat, and helps increase the body’s metabolism. The benefit of drinking green tea for the sole reason of losing weight can be very small, when compared to other methods such as regular exercise and healthy eating habits. Green tea sometimes acts as an appetite blocker and prevents the consumer from having a healthy appetite.

Green tea and memory

According to a recently published research article by Psychopharmacology, green tea has been said to enhance the cognitive functions of the brain, and can aid in the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders like dementia. The Alzheimer’s Society have also stated that significant properties of green tea helps in reducing the risk of contracting the disease.

Green tea and oral health

The regular consumption of tea has been said to improve oral and dental health. According to a study carried out in 2016, drinking green tea in particular, will aid in protecting against gum disease and cavities. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidants found in green tea will promote gum health and reduce the risk or oral cancers.

White tea

White tea is derived from the same tea plant, except it is only the buds used and during the processing, the tea is not oxidized or rolled, which gives it a lighter colour and a milder taste, compared to black tea.

White tea and mental heath

Thanks to the large number of strong antioxidants found in white tea, it is known to help protect your brain cells from damage, thereby protecting the brain from mental illnesses such as depression or Alzheimer’s disease.

White tea fights bacteria

The anti-bacterial chemicals found in white tea will also promote your physical health while protecting your body against any illness or infections.

Oolong Tea

Oolong tea is semi-fermented and is made by withering the tea leaves and then leaving them out to dry under direct, intense sunlight. Once dried, the leaves are then rolled in to clumps and dried for a longer time. Oolong tea is light in colour with a mild taste.

Oolong tea and diabetes

Recent studies have shown that drinking oolong tea, which is packed with antioxidants and high water content helps to maintain your blood – sugar levels, thereby preventing problems such as diabetes.

Oolong tea and oral hygiene

Oolong tea has also known to solve and aid in preventing numerous dental issues such as plaque build-up, cavities, etc. According to research, rinsing your mouth with oolong tea will help protect it from excessive plaque.

Despite the different health benefits attributed to the different teas, all types of tea in general are known to be beneficial to one’s health as the difference in the teas are to do with the manufacturing process and not necessarily the tea plant itself.

For 150 years since 1987, the world has been drinking Ceylon tea. From Sri Lanka to England, then to Europe, America, and the rest of the world, it has been filling the cups and hearts of generations. From the days of James Taylor’s first home-made brew to your cup of Zesta tea today, it seems that everything has changed except for the taste of Ceylon tea.

Rewind to the Beginning!

It was February 1852 when the 18-year-old Scotsman first set his foot on the plantation hills in the centre of Ceylon. The young man was James Taylor, surrounded by coffee plants as far as he could see. At that time, he couldn’t have guessed he would become loved and successful as the pioneer of a massive industry that is yet to start.

As the story goes, Taylor was both hard-working and very lucky. Soon after he arrived at the Loolecondera plantation, he was entrusted with its management. Later on, he was sent to India where he learnt about growing tea. At the same time, in Ceylon, coffee crops across plantations were slowly dying of blight, including his own. For Taylor, it was a blessing in disguise. The troublesome crops gave him an opportunity to grow tea on his plantations instead.

In 1867, he planted the first seeds of tea on his plantation. His decision, still celebrated today, proved to be a smart one and his fascination for tea grew further. He began manufacturing tea at his home, rolling it by hand and firing on clay pots. Later, he built the first tea factory and, even more impressively, constructed the tea producing machines by himself – based on what he read and learnt, and a fair deal of experiments. Taylor was admired by the locals, workers, and fellow coffee planters who followed his steps to tea production, one by one.

But, since the days of Taylor much has happened. The world has fought wars, conquered dictators; we have seen men step foot on the moon, and invented ways of communicating that a man planting the first tea seeds in Sri Lanka’s hill country couldn’t imagine. Still, some things have always stayed the same.

Picked by hand, following the same procedure that Taylor once introduced, Zesta tea is proud to be part of the exciting journey of Ceylon tea – the tea that changed a nation and conquered the world. Cheers!

Commitment to the wellbeing of our employees and their families and to sustainable living practices are inclusive of Zesta’s core values as a brand. We have implemented programs that have a positive impact on our employees, as we understand it is essential that all members of a business benefit, for a company to succeed with integrity.

Our community-based initiatives have helped ensure:

• 0 maternal and infant mortality
• 100% institutional births,
• 100% immunisation of all children of associates and
• 100% primary education for all children
• 90 Child Development Centres in our estates with over 2,600 children
• Sanitation facilities for over 9,000 families

Vocational Training Centre for the physically challenged

Located on the Kenilworth Estate the Centre was established in 1998 and won an Asian CSR Leadership Award for its dedicated work.

Environmental Protection and Sustainability Practices

Protecting the environment with Sustainability Practices is core to our business values as we understand the importance of giving back as much as we take. We have taken a number of measures that ensure the protection and preservation of the environment.

Energy Management

We invested in a briquetting machine, which uses tea waste, paddy husks, and sawdust to produce briquettes, the usage of which results in lower net carbon emissions, as part of our integrated energy management approach. For our integrated waste management system, we produce compost from bio-degradable waste to fertilise crops, among several other measures.
Water Conservation & Biodiversity Preservation

As part of our work towards water conservation, we launched a series of initiatives such as rainwater harvesting and improved soil water retention programmes. To protect the biodiversity on our estates, we embarked on a study of habitats within selected estates. We are also working towards the maintenance of buffer zones along water bodies

All 17 plantations under Watawala Plantations, have obtained certification from the Rainforest Alliance, thereby demonstrating compliance with rigorous global standards relating to the wellbeing of associates, their families and the environment. Some of Zesta’s most popular teas are sourced from these plantations that have voluntarily adopted environmental and social best practices. Watawala Plantations PLC is part of Watawala Tea Ceylon Ltd of which Zesta is the flagship tea brand.

The certification is given to organisation that satisfy the stringent conditions of environment, by eco-system, wildlife, soil and water conservation, community relations by good working conditions for workers, fair treatment and occupational health and safety and through economic aspects such as integrated crop and waste management.

The Rainforest Alliance Accreditation guarantees that our estates meet global sustainability standards such as improved conditions for workers and relationships with local communities and reduced operational and reputational risk. It also helps reaffirm our strong emphasis on sustainable and ethical business practices.  Watawala plantations is already compliant with several other global standards as well, such as the Ethical Tea Partnership and Fair Trade. Local requirements are also met through the Sri Lanka Standards Institution – Sri Lanka Tea Board and the Central Environment Authority.

Watawala Plantations ensures the well-being of its associates through initiatives such as the maintenance of 90 Child Development Centres in our estates while also providing sanitation facilities for over 10,000 families.