Many people see New Zealand, the nation that gave rise to the flat white, as a country of coffee-lovers, but it wasn’t always that way. In the early 20th Century, New Zealanders were drinking more tea than our British counterparts, and our mates over the ditch were drinking even more than us.
It comes as no surprise then, that when the World Wars struck, Kiwis and Aussies turned to tea for comfort. Several cups of tea were allocated to the daily food rations of the Gallipoli soldiers, alongside their hard tack biscuits and bully-beef. In World War II, New Zealand saw tea as such an essential food commodity that it needed to be rationed to ensure everyone had enough.
One hundred years after the end of World War I, we New Zealanders still love a good cup of tea — it’s part of our heritage. And that’s why Zealong Tea Estate, producers of the only New Zealand-grown tea, will be offering special editions of select teas this Anzac Day.
In honour of the great sacrifice made at Gallipoli by the New Zealand and Australian soldiers, a portion of the proceeds from these teas will be donated to the RSA, to support New Zealand’s current servicepeople and veterans. Fittingly, the two teas chosen for this initiative are from Zealong’s Heritage Collection: Zealong’s Own Breakfast and Zealong’s Own Grey teas.
“The Zealong Heritage Collection is made up of some of the best-loved teas, with a Zealong twist,” explains Zealong General Manager Gigi Crawford.
The two teas were chosen for this cause because they are the most popular with Zealong’s New Zealand customers, and probably the most like the kinds of tea Kiwis were drinking during wartime.
Zealong’s Own Breakfast tea is 100 percent Waikato-grown, roasted to achieve a robust flavour which is great with a dash of milk, while Zealong’s Own Grey uses bergamot peel and flowers such as rose and lavender to create a delicate flavour Earl Grey drinkers will love, but without the use of any oils or artificial flavourings.
“As the only commercial tea estate in the country, we value the importance of giving back to the service community, who fought to defend New Zealand — including the land on which we grow our award-winning tea.”
Zealong’s Special Edition Anzac Day teas will be sold at selected retailers, at the estate’s retail boutique, and online at zealong.com— to find out when they become available, keep an eye on their Facebook page (facebook.com/zealongtea).
Zealong Tea Estate will be closed on Anzac Day, Wednesday 25th April, as well as Good Friday, 20th April. The estate will be open on Easter Sunday and Monday, 22nd and 23rd April. Bookings are essential: 07 853 3018 or zealong.com.
