A CARE operator’s nutrition experts have worked with a premium specialist tea company to create a first for the sector: a tea that is designed to taste better as it is thickened for those on modified diets.
‘Next Level Tea’ has been exclusively developed in a joint venture with the boutique, family-run company Tea From The Manor.
After successful trials, the teas are being launched across Care UK homes this week to celebrate Nutrition and Hydration Week.
The tea comes in four flavours: green tea and mint, red berry, English breakfast and Earl Grey, with the herbal and fruit flavours being decaffeinated.
They are designed to support residents who live with dysphagia and are on levels one to four of the IDDSI framework. By creating these teas, there are more beverage options for residents to choose from, which will support good hydration, which is critical to their health and wellbeing.
The tea composition and flavours were painstakingly developed and tested over the course of five months by Care UK’s hotel services manager Andrew Mussett and James Green of Tea From The Manor, with the aim of bringing thickened teas that taste good and are refreshing to drink for residents with specific dietary needs.
The idea was born after the National Care Catering Awards in 2024. A passing comment from his colleague, friend and the night’s winner of Our Care Catering Hero award, Anna Sudak, made Andrew consider the drink options available to residents.