Tag: East Forged

Australian company East Forged, maker of nitrogen-infused cold-brew tea, has been named winner of the Best Drink Innovation award at the 2026 World Food Innovation Awards in London, beating out entries submitted by giants including The Coca-Cola Company and PepsiCo. The award was chosen from more than 100 entries across 28 countries.

Founded in 2020 by tea industry veterans Kym Cooper and Tania Stacey, East Forged brews whole tea leaves for up to 12 hours before infusing the drink with nitrogen during canning — a technique borrowed from craft beer that creates a creamy texture and a foamy head, with no added sugar, colors or artificial flavors. Judges praised how the brand achieved a distinctive texture purely through its brewing method rather than additives.

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Source: Food & Beverage Industry News

East Forged, a Brisbane company founded in 2020 by Kym Cooper and Tania Stacey, has won the “Best Drink Innovation” award at the 2026 World Food Innovation Awards in London, beating out more than 100 entries from 28 countries — including giants like The Coca-Cola Company and PepsiCo.

The brand makes nitrogen-infused cold-brew tea drinks with no added sugar or other additives, and judges praised the way the company reimagined how tea is made and consumed, achieving a smooth, textured drink through a process completely different from classic brewing methods. Co-founder Tania Stacey said: “We didn’t think we’d win against the big guys.”

The company, which has already shipped over 500,000 cans and is stocked in more than 200 locations across Australia, saw production grow 140% year-on-year and is now expanding into Southeast Asia. It’s a clear example of how tea innovation can compete head-to-head with major soft drink brands.

Source: SmartCompany