Australian beverage company East Forged has been named Best Drink Innovation at this year’s World Food Innovation Awards in London.
The awards are widely regarded as a global benchmark for excellence in food and beverage innovation, with more than 100 entries across 28 countries, including global giants such as The Coca-Cola Company and PepsiCo.
Founded by Kym Cooper and Tania Stacey, East Forged was built on the idea to elevate tea from a functional beverage into something more refined, similar to what the craft beer industry has achieved.
The business uses whole tea leaves sourced from ethical growers in Australia and China and brews them for up to 12 hours. The batch is then infused with nitrogen at the canning stage to create a smooth, creamy texture and signature foamy head.
Unlike traditional ready-to-drink teas, the range contains no added sugars, colours or artificial flavours. The products resonate with a growing cohort of consumers seeking better alternatives to both alcohol and sugar-laden soft drinks.
The global recognition comes as East Forged sees rapid growth in Australia, particularly through its direct-to-consumer channel. Production has grown approximately 140 per cent over the past year, while its e-commerce sales have also surged.
East Forged is currently stocked in more than 200 locations nationally, including Harris Farm Markets and select independent retailers.
The company previously raised $1.5 million in capital led by Global Mind Agriculture Australia, as well as was selected for the Australian Government’s Industry Growth Program.
“Tea’s always been part of everyday life in Australia, but when we started looking into it properly, there’s this whole world of tea that people don’t really see,” said Stacey. “To have that recognised on a global stage like this is pretty special for a small Australian business.”
Cooper added: “It’s been really interesting to see who’s coming to us. You’ve got younger people drinking less, and older Australians being told to cut back, and both are really embracing it.”
Judges said East Forged stood out for rethinking how tea is made and experienced, using cold-brew and nitrogen infusion to create a more textured, full-bodied drink without relying on sugar or additives. They also noted the brand’s ability to bring new consumers into the category by offering something that feels both familiar and entirely new.
According to FoodBev Media, which runs the awards, this year’s winners reflect a shift towards health, transparency and purpose-driven innovation.
