Sri Lanka

Tea was introduced to Sri Lanka by Brits during colonial era. Scottish planter, Mr. James Taylor was the first to try tea growing and manufacturing at commercial scale in this wonderful Island Nation, Sri Lanka (Colonial Ceylon). Thereafter many reputed tea planters like Sir Thomas Lipton (Founder of Lipton), Mr. John Sumner (Founder of Typhoo) started growing tea in Sri Lanka. Finlays is also one of the most reputed tea growing firms in Sri Lanka. As Finlays had reported on their official website, the company has agreed to sell its Sri Lankan Tea Estates business, that includes Hapugastenne Plantations PLC (HPL) and Udapussellawa Plantations PLC (UPL), to Browns Investments PLC. Browns Investments PLC will be obliged to make a mandatory offer to buy all outstanding shares in UPL and HPL. UPL and HPL comprise 30 tea estates and 20 tea manufacturing plants that sit within six of the seven tea growing regions of Sri Lanka.

Browns Investments PLC is a reputed Sri Lankan firm and part of the LOLC Holdings PLC group companies. Headquartered in Sri Lanka, Browns Investments has a great track record in operating plantations in Sri Lanka. Browns owns Maturata Plantations, one of the 23 regional plantation companies in Sri Lanka consisting of 19 tea gardens which stretch across an area of over 12,000 hectares and employ a workforce of over 5,000.

There will not be an immediate change for any of the employees of either Hapugastenne Plantations PLC and Udapussellawa Plantations PLC and Browns plans to continue to run the business as it has been operated until now.

Finlays will continue to be represented in Sri Lanka by Finlays Colombo Ltd., company’s tea blending and packing operation that sources teas from multiple origins including Hapugastenne and Udapussellawa via the Colombo tea auctions.

Kamantha Amarasekera, Director of Browns Investments PLC mentioned. “Hapugastenne Plantations and Udapussellawa Plantations are two of the best managed and productive plantation companies in Sri Lanka and we are proud to be associated in their future journey. We will work with Finlays to ensure a smooth transition between the two groups. We warmly welcome the management and staff of Hapugastenne Plantations and Udapussellawa Plantations to the Browns family, which has a business heritage dating back to 1875.”

Guy Chambers, Group Managing Director of Finlays mentioned: “After careful consideration and a rigorous selection process, we have agreed to transfer ownership of our Sri Lankan Tea Estates to Browns Investments PLC. As a Sri Lanka based investment firm with a strong track record in agriculture, Browns Investments PLC is ideally placed to unlock the long-term value of Hapugastenne Plantations PLC and Udapussellawa Plantations PLC. These Sri Lankan farms have played an important role in Finlays’ history, and we are sure that they will continue to flourish under the ownership of Browns Investments PLC. I would like to thank our tea farm colleagues in Sri Lanka for their passion and commitment, and wish them well for the future.”

Join with me to travel all over tea world: http://www.teawithnipun.com/

References

Main Source: https://www.finlays.net/news/finlays-agrees-to-sell-sri-lankan-tea-estates/

Ceylon Tea coming from the resplendent island nation, Sri Lanka is recognized for her well balanced tasting profile by tea connoisseurs all over the globe. Sri Lanka is also know as “The Pearl of Indian Ocean”, “Asia’s Sweet Heart” and “The Wonder of Asia”. Even though Sri Lanka is an island, the diversity (Regional difference) of Ceylon Tea is quite amazing. One would enjoy a light, fragrant Nuwara-Eliya Tea from the highest mountain peak with Citrus notes while another is enjoying a strong, full bodied Ruhuna Tea from the down south. As Foreign Ministry – Sri Lanka had reported, as a part of the Economic Diplomacy programme, the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Lebanon and the Sri Lanka Tea Board participated at the International Bazaar in Damascus, by exhibiting Ceylon Tea and handicrafts on 09 October 2021 at the Dama Rose hotel in Damascus Syria. The International bazaar had a participation of 19 nations and Sri Lanka stall had prominence.

The Embassy stall was declared open by lighting the traditional oil lamp by the Minister of Education in Syria Dr. Darem Tabbaa, and Chairperson of the Diplomatic club Barry Phillip Gilder. All visitors were served with Ceylon Tea tasting and samples of Ceylon Tea packs.  

Syria is the 7th largest Ceylon Tea importer in the world. In 2020, Syria imported 9.9 million kilos of Ceylon Tea.

Click here………. to learn more about Ceylon Tea.

View More Latest Tea News + Articles: http://www.teawithnipun.com/

References

1. Main Source: https://mfa.gov.lk/ceylon-tea-promotion-at-the-international-bazaar-of-the-diplomatic-club-syria/
2. More Information: https://www.pureceylontea.com/

Ceylon Tea produced in the resplendent island nation Sri Lanka is recognized for her well balanced tasting profile by tea connoisseurs all over the globe. Before pandemic situation, tea was the 4th largest GDP contributor of this pretty island nation following expatriates, apparel and tourism. Ten percent of Sri Lankan population is involved directly or indirectly in tea industry. So tea plays a vital role in Sri Lankan economy. By the meantime, As Sri Lanka Tea Board had reported, The Cabinet approved the proposal submitted by the Minister of Plantation for entering into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Sri Lanka Tea Board and Fujian Star China International Trade Company Limited for marketing Pure Ceylon Tea both online and offline utilizing the probabilities in Chinese tea market.

Fujian Star China International Trade Company Ltd is a subsidiary firm of Bennie Tea Industry Company Limited, which is engaged in tea import, export and in e-commerce (Online selling).

Under the MoU, the Chinese company has agreed to develop a 5G online marketing platform that provides the network of storing and handing over in China and marketing Sri Lanka Tea logo online, apart from distributing Sri Lankan Tea in China.

Learn More About Ceylon Tea: https://www.pureceylontea.com/

View More Latest Tea News + Articles: https://www.teawithnipun.com/

References

Sri Lanka Tea Board: http://www.srilankateaboard.lk/index.php/component/k2/item/227-sri-lanka-to-sign-mou-with-china-to-market-pure-ceylon-tea-both-online-and-offline

Ceylon Tea produced in the resplendent island nation Sri Lanka is recognized for her well balanced tasting profile by tea connoisseurs all over the globe. Before pandemic situation, tea was the 4th largest GDP contributor of this pretty island nation following expatriates, Apparel and tourism. Ten percent of Sri Lankan population is involved directly or indirectly in tea industry. So tea plays a vital role in Sri Lankan economy. But still most of the Sri Lankans are claiming that they are unable to find good quality tea in the local market. As Daily News had reported, Tea stalls will be opened island-wide sooner to make good quality fresh tea easily available to local consumers at reasonable price levels, Company Estate Reforms, Tea and Rubber Estates Related Crops Cultivation and Factories Modernization and Tea and Rubber Export Promotion State Minister Kanaka Herath mentioned.

The Minister further mentioned that tea sales centers will be opened at government buildings in towns and suburbs, that will assist to minimize operating costs.

“Even though Sri Lanka has been producing quality fresh tea to the world, it is hard for local customers to buy quality tea or to taste the real taste of quality fresh tea. Tea stalls will be opened up in towns. As an outcome of this move, low quality tea will remove from the market gradually with the availability of high quality tea,” The State Minister added.

At the earlier phase, tea outlets will be opened in selected cities around the nations. Thereafter, the number of outlets will be increased, making it more convenient for local tea lovers to purchase premium quality fresh Pure Ceylon tea.

Although Sri Lanka has been a world-renowned manufacturer of quality tea for more than 150 years, Sri Lankan tea lovers find it difficult to purchase standardized, good quality fresh teas. So, this new project lets them to buy high quality Sri Lankan teas and other tea related products.

State Minister Herath instructed the Ministry officials to prepare a list of cities to set up the first tea stalls. He asked to conduct a study on State buildings or offices in these suburbs and to look into the possibility of setting up tea outlets in them.

So let’s keep an eye on how this new project progresses.

Learn More About Ceylon Tea: https://www.pureceylontea.com/

View More Latest Tea News + Articles: https://www.teawithnipun.com/

References

Original Post: https://www.dailynews.lk/2020/11/23/local/234186/tea-stalls-be-set-countrywide

An outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) occurred in Wuhan and it has rapidly spread to almost all parts of the world. Before moving on to this promotion gig, I would like to request you kindly to stay at home as long as possible & follow the guidance provided by World Health Organization & Double your protection.

To prevent infection and to slow transmission of COVID-19, do the following:

• Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, or clean them with alcohol-based hand rub.
• Maintain at least 1 metre distance between you and people coughing or sneezing.
• Avoid touching your face.
• Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
• Stay home if you feel unwell.
• Refrain from smoking and other activities that weaken the lungs.
• Practice physical distancing by avoiding unnecessary travel and staying away from large groups of people.

Also please contact your health service provider immediately, if you show common symptoms Include,

• fever
• tiredness
• dry cough.

Other symptoms include:

• shortness of breath
• aches and pains
• sore throat
• and very few people will report diarrhoea, nausea or a runny nose.

By the mean time, Sri Lanka Tea Board is very aggressive in conveying Black tea’s anti-viral properties which may reduce the effect of COVID 19 virus fever.

“Theaflavins” in black tea ‘could potentially inhibit a critical SARS-CoV- 2 enzyme, and thereby, theoretically increase the human immunity against COVID-19, tea industry sources claimed.

Read More: https://www.teawithnipun.com/news/black-tea-theaflavins-may-inhibit-corona-virus/

Original Research Paper: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/jmv.25761

The Tea Research Institute of Sri Lanka (TRI) has conducted a study where “Theaflavins” an antioxidant polyphenols in Black Tea has been found to helpcontrol and flush the Virus from the system.

Article: https://www.tri.lk/news-details/news-details/70

In contrast to Green Tea, Black Tea which is rich in Theaflavins (antioxidant polyphenols that are formed during fermentation of Black Tea). It also alleviates respiratory diseases and opens air passages in the lungs making it easier to breathe.

The scientists at the Sri Lanka Tea Board Laboratory suggest that regular consumption of hot black tea (03 to 04 cups without any additives) and inhaling its fumes is capable of flushing viruses trapped in the throat and nasal area, improving immune capacity and inhibiting inflammation due to Polyphenols (Theaflavins) in Black Tea.

It is to be noted that Black Tea is neither a medically proven prophylaxis nor a treatment against COVID-19, but it is worth conducting further research.

View More Tea Articles + Latest News: http://www.teawithnipun.com/

References

1. Sri Lanka Tea Board: http://www.srilankateaboard.lk/index.php/component/k2/item/213-ceylon-black-tea-rich-in-theaflavins-conducts-its-very-first-successful-e-auction
2. Tea Research Institute of Sri Lanka: https://www.tri.lk/news-details/news-details/70

Tea was first grown commercially in Sri Lanka (Ceylon) by the Scottish planter James Taylor in 1867. Eventually Ceylon Tea became one of the finest tasting teas in the world thanks to her overall, well balanced tasting profile with ideal strength, body, aroma and flavour. In a time when the whole world is fighting against COVID 19 Virus fever, The Colombo Tea Auction, the world’s largest single-origin tea auction and the oldest operational auction, conducted its first successful e-auction. According to Sri Lanka Tea Board “CEYLON BLACK TEA’ RICH IN “THEAFLAVINS” CONDUCTS ITS VERY FIRST SUCCESSFUL E-AUCTION”

The first Tea Auction in Colombo was held on 30th July 1883 in the office of Somerville & Co., down Queen Street now renamed Janadhipathi Mawatha. This e-auction held for five days was prompted by COVID 19 ‘Social distancing’ stringent health precautions adopted by the Island. The very successful auction via an online platform was concluded on a promising note in Colombo for its ‘high grown’ Teas, while registering as the highest ever in its history. This higher demand was also due to lower volumes. Manual auction was also not held for almost two weeks. So local buyers badly needed to cover their quantities. International buyers were also desperate to buy Ceylon Tea since they are struggling to import Black Tea from India. Overseas tea importers also stated that their communities have started to drink more tea while staying at home.

It is a great pleasure to see the trickle-down effect spanning the entire supply chain. The e-auction has created ‘hope’, especially for the Tea farmers who depend on their daily wages. Regional Plantation Companies and smallholders are able to conduct business and provide work despite the current circumstance. Crops are being harvested without compromise on quality and factories are functional strictly following the stringent precautionary measures stipulated by national health authorities. 

This has let Ceylon Tea exporters to commence shipments with available resources and work hard to meet the increasing demand for Pure Ceylon Tea.

Another main factors for such high demand could be attributed to the hypothesis developed by scientists that content of “Theaflavins” in black tea ‘could potentially inhibit a critical SARS-CoV- 2 enzyme, and thereby, theoretically increase the human immunity against COVID-19, tea industry sources claimed.

Read More: https://www.teawithnipun.com/news/black-tea-theaflavins-may-inhibit-corona-virus/

The Tea Research Institute of Sri Lanka (TRI) has conducted a study where “Theaflavins” an antioxidant polyphenols in Black Tea has been found to helpcontrol and flush the Virus from the system.

In contrast to Green Tea, Black Tea which is rich in Theaflavins (antioxidant polyphenols that are formed during fermentation of Black Tea). It also alleviates respiratory diseases and opens air passages in the lungs making it easier to breathe.

The Tea Industry has shown its ability to deal with challenges during periods of global crises and has never let down its discerning customers nor the hands that supports the industry itself.

Learn More About The History of Colombo Tea Auction: http://teasrilanka.org/tea-auction

View More Tea Articles + Latest News: https://www.teawithnipun.com/

References

1. Sri Lanka Tea Board: http://www.srilankateaboard.lk/index.php/component/k2/item/214-resilient-ceylon-tea-is-ready-to-cater-to-the-world
2. Sri Lanka Tea Board: http://www.srilankateaboard.lk/index.php/component/k2/item/213-ceylon-black-tea-rich-in-theaflavins-conducts-its-very-first-successful-e-auction
3. Sri Lanka Tea Board Promotion Web: https://www.pureceylontea.com/