Tea Innovation

Tea is the most popular beverage in the world after water. But tea industry was always behind its biggest rivalry, Coffee when it comes to innovations. During 5000 years of long history, tea industry had only very few product and technical innovations. Continuous innovation is vital for the betterment of any industry. As Finlays had reported, to assist brand owners tap into health and wellness trends, Finlays is launching The Wellbeing Collection, their new range of premium, natural tea extracts. These extracts in the form of powder are rich in highly sought-after bioactive compounds, adding value to products through consumer association with various wellness benefits.

Extracts in The Wellbeing Collection are created exclusively at Saosa factory situated in Kericho Kenya. Saosa is one of the world’s only tea extraction facilities situated on a tea farm. Saosa situated at tea farming community in Kericho – a perfect place for growing tea. Where the confluence of the Mau Forest, the elevation and the wonderful Kericho mountain water create the unique climatic conditions for tea growing. 

Here, Finlays transforms freshly harvested green leaf into naturally extracted powder and aroma on the same day, manufacturing extracts which are rich in bioactive compounds linked to functional benefits which are in great demand from world consumers.

Being a reputed firm in premium tea extracts with 6 decades of experience in tea extraction, their unique approach means they produce tea extracts which help brand owners unlock opportunities in the health and wellness mega-trend by being:

• Rich in naturally-derived antioxidants that consumers link to health benefits
• Natural and offering clean label claims
• Extracted from fresh leaf, sealing in the true essence of tea other extracts leave behind
• 100% traceable to brand’s own tea farms in Kenya
• Sustainably sourced

Hope Kenyan tea plantations workers will be benefited with this new project.

While appreciating innovations like this, I must tell my dear tea lovers that there is nothing better than a freshly brewed tea pot with loose leaf tea. No matter whether it’s Black, Oolong, Green or White. Just enjoy your cuppa with a great deal of joy. Cheers!

View More Latest Tea News + Articles: https://www.teawithnipun.com/

References

1. Main Source: https://www.finlays.net/tea/the-wellbeing-collection-launch/

Tea is the most popular beverage in the world after water. But tea industry was always behind her biggest rivalry, Coffee when it comes to innovations. During 5000 years of long history, tea industry had only very few product or technical innovations. Continuous innovation is vital for the betterment of any industry. As blogTO had reported, Hot chocolate bombs increased to popularity in Toronto, Canada during holidays, but there is a new hot drink trend: tea bombs.

Maison de Dessert is one of the first places to sell tea bombs in the city. Like hot chocolate bombs, chocolate shells that “explode” when hot liquid is poured on them releasing cocoa mix and marshmallows, tea bombs are clear shells that release tea and eye-popping edible glitter. The shell is coloured with food graded colourings. The inside contains a tea bag or loose leaf tea.

The tea bombs come in English Breakfast, Earl Grey, Lady Grey, peppermint, green, Irish Breakfast, chamomile, lemon and ginger, Goodnight Blend, and honeybush, mandarin and orange varieties. They’re $5 each, and Canadians can simply DM to order.

Selena Flores, Owner of Maison de Dessert mentioned that for her tea bombs, the “shell is made from a low calorie sweetener derived from beet sugar and has little to no effect on blood sugar levels. That means they’re weight loss and diabetic friendly.“

Flores added further “We use edible glitter that has no taste or texture to make that tea sparkle. You can add sugar, cream or anything you normally would to your tea.”

Candy Couture & Co. has also introduced tea bombs in to their menu, at $6 apiece with an upcharge for edible glitter and edible roses. 

While appreciating innovations like these, I must tell my dear tea lovers that there is nothing better than a freshly brewed tea pot with loose leaf tea. No matter whether it’s Black, Oolong, Green or White. Just enjoy your cuppa with a great deal of joy. Cheers!

Watch: How to Create Your Own Tea Bomb

View More Latest Tea News + Articles: https://www.teawithnipun.com/

References

1. Main Source: https://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2021/01/tea-bombs-new-hot-chocolate-bombs-2021-toronto/

Even though tea is the most popular beverage in the world, tea industry is always behind coffee when it comes to innovation and application of latest technology. The latest voice ordering and delivery system developed by coffee giant together with Alibaba is a great example for that. As Starbucks Stories and News had reported, The company is providing a digital experience for customers in China by launching voice ordering and delivery capabilities within Alibaba’s smart speaker, Tmall Genie which is available through the Starbucks virtual store in China. I am certain that most of tea lovers are not fans of Starbucks. Some of you might hate them for destroying Teavana brand. But we all have to admire their innovations / latest developments.

Starbucks customers now have the opportunity to order their favorite beverages and food simply by using their voice for delivery. Through Alibaba’s Tmall Genie, customers place an order using their voice and can track their order in real-time within the 30-minute delivery time frame.

The launch of the new service marks the one-year anniversary of Starbucks and Alibaba’s strategic partnership which advances the New Retail infrastructure and digital power in China (The birthplace of tea & the world’s largest tea consumer) — one of the fastest-growing markets in the world for coffee consumption.

As Miffy Chen, general manager at Alibaba A.I. Labs which leads the development of Tmall Genie said “We are thrilled to provide our cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence technology through Tmall Genie to serve Starbucks digitally-savvy customers in China,”

Starbucks Rewards members also can earn Stars and receive membership updates, including benefits, on the Tmall Genie. Soon, members will be able to receive personalized recommendations when using voice commands to place orders that are tailored to previous order preferences and popular items from Starbucks seasonal menu. As another added benefit, Starbucks fans in China can also listen to the latest Starbucks in-store playlists through Alibaba’s music streaming app, Xiami Music.

Specially-designed splash-proof lids for both hot and cold beverages, tamper-proof packaging seals and individual hot and cold delivery containers to ensure orders arrive at the optimal temperature.

This is not a promotion of Starbucks. The intention is to make tea entrepreneurs aware on latest developments / innovations in beverage sector.

View More Latest Tea News + Articles: https://www.teawithnipun.com/

References

1.Original Post: https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2019/starbucks-and-alibaba-launch-voice-ordering-and-delivery/