Sri Lanka is one of the most famous
countries to produce tea and is one of the most fabulously enjoyed
beverages in Sri Lanka. Tea for us is literally second to water, every
single person in our Nation enjoys at least three cups a day, and that
is just minimally. Every occasion is celebrated with a cup of tea, and
we would not substitute it for anything else. Its the poor mans' drink
of choice and the rich mans' as well. There is something about the
wonderful beverage that leaves you wanting for more. The unique tastes
and the impeccable aromas of Ceylon Tea is what makes it famous around
the globe.
Sri Lanka (then called Ceylon) was introduced to Tea in the 1800's by
James Taylor, he began a tea plantation in Kandy and started
manufacturing tea. He made his first sale in kandy and thus began the
growth of the tea industry in Sri Lanka.
The ideal climatic conditions play a
major role in the success of the growth of tea in Sri Lanka. 4% of the
country's land is covered by tea plantations. The main tea growing areas
are Nuwera Eliya, Kandy, Central Province, , Bandarawela, Haputale, Uva
Province, Galle, Matara, Southern Province, Ratnapura, Kegalle,
Sabaragamuwa Province. The best tea are gathered from late June to the
end of August in the eastern districts and fron the beginning of
February to mid March in western districts.
Skilfully plucking the tea leaf is
essential to the final quality of the tea, the two leaves and a bud,
that is where the flavor and the aroma of tea is present, and this is
plucked by women. Sri Lanka id one of the few countries that each leaf
is plucked by hand instead of machinery, if they were to use machinery
some of the coarse leaves as twigs would be mixed with the proper leaves
which could destroy the flavor of the tea. The skillful women pluck
around 15 to 20 kilos of tea leaves to be weighed and sent to the nearby
tea factories.
Ceylon Black Tea is the most famously
known tea around the globe. The high-grown black tea has a honey golden
liquor and light and is among the best teas which has a distinct flavor,
aroma and strength. The low-grown teas has a burgundy brown liquor and
stronger in taste. And the mid-grown teas are strong, rich and
full-bodied. Ceylon black tea is famous around the world and is used as
the base for many blends such as Earl Grey tea, and many other fruit
flavored teas.
Black tea is not the only tea produced, Ceylon green tea is mainly grown
in Idalgashinna in the Uva Province. The Ceylon Green Tea generally has
a fuller body, and has a pungent, malty and nutty flavor. Green tea in
Sri Lanka has its own characteristics, they are darker in both the dry
and infused leaf, and has a rich flavor different from other green teas.
Much of the green teas produced in Sri Lanka has an acquired taste and
are exported to the North African and the Middle Eastern markets.
Other than the Black and the Green tea Sri Lanka specializes in White
Tea which is also known as 'silver tips'. This is one of the priciest
teas in Sri Lanka, price of a kilo of White Tea in higher than that of
Green and Black tea. White Tea was first grown in Nuwera-Eliya. The tea
is grown, harvested and rolled by hand and the leaves are dried and
withered in the sun. it has a delicate and light liquoring and contains
notes of pine and honey and a golden coppery infusion.
Sri Lankan tea is a great success in the
international markets, and despite the ever growing competition from
India and China, Sri Lanka remains one of the world's top tea exporters.
The most important international markets of Sri Lankan tea are the
Middle East, Russia, Iraq, Iran, Egypt, the UK and Japan.
The 'Lion Logo' in the packages of the
tea produced in Sri Lanka is an important factor. It is closely
monitored by the Sri Lankan Tea board and if a manufacturer is to
acquire this particular logo, they need to go through a series of
inspections that are done by the Sri Lankan Tea Board and if they pass
these inspections they are allowed to use the Lion Logo which depicts as
'Pure Ceylon Tea- Packed in Sri Lanka'.
Ceylon Tea is indeed exquisitely famous
for its rich tastes and aromas, and it is made with a lot of care and
love, so that everybody around the globe has the privilege of tasting
such a wonderful beverage.
