Page 45 - Tropic Magazine Issue 37

TROPIC • FOOD & DRINK

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Mix, sip & savour

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TEA
Australia’s largest tea plantation
is offering a behind-the-scenes Some of the flavours you can
use in your own special blend
tea blending experience, where I am always
you can create your own experimenting with Rosehip
special flavour. Peppermint
new blends
Words: Renee Cluff Lemon
Beverley Poyner
Nerada Tea has always been leading the Nerada Tea Manager Ginger
way in its field, not just in Australia but
globally. It was the first in the world to Bev is not shy to use tea as a mixer for Hibiscus
introduce mechanised harvesting for alcoholic drinks (when you really think Lemongrass
its pesticide-free plantation, while the about it, it makes so much sense!), or as
engineering in its processing factory is a liquid in cake recipes. She is forever on Vanilla
also way ahead of the rest of the hunt for new ingredients to infuse. Rooibos
the industry. Nerada was the first You can taste her organic concoctions,
Australian agricultural entity to receive such as Turmeric Chai, Sunset and Lemon myrtle
Rainforest Alliance Certification and Peppermint Dream. Beverley says
last year, it introduced a probiotic range every blend has a purpose which goes
infused with vegan gut-health ingredient beyond taste. At the Tea House, you can also host a
Ganeden BC30 which can survive “Dreamz is good for sleep, while special high tea for friends or take the
boiling water. Turmeric Chai is a lovely change from the kids along – it’s super family-friendly,
However, there’s so much more to traditional black tea chai and is able to be with lawn games out the front. Plus, you
this iconic, long-loved yet hopelessly consumed by those who are affected by might even be lucky enough to spot one
underrated local brand than can be caffeine,” she said. of the elusive Lumholtz’s tree kangaroos
put down on paper. That’s where the What I really loved is that there are no that live in the trees onsite.
behind-the-scenes tours come into play. rules – Bev encourages you to throw out Just remember to look up!
You can take a trip through the Malanda any pre-conceived notions of what tea
Tea House and processing factory, which should be and go with whatever flavour
is really fascinating. Then, for those who combinations take your fancy.
want an interactive experience, there’s tea She’s definitely onto something. 1. Credit: Nerada Tea
2. Tea infusions
blending and tasting. I was lucky enough The black tea is also taste-tested as part 3. Turmeric Chai
to have a go at this recently, in the of standard quality controls, leading to
good hands of Tea House Manager Canstar Blue awards over the past three
Beverley Poyner, who is one amazingly years for the Best Rated Black Tea in MORE: neradatea.com.au
inventive tea brewer. the country.

45 • tropicnow.com.au