Green and lushly fertile, the island republic of Sri Lanka lies in the Bay of Bengal, just below the southeastern tip of India. Sri Lanka was formerly a British crown colony known as Ceylon, a name it kept for nearly a quarter-century after independence.
It was during the British era that tea first began to be cultivated and manufactured here. Tea from Ceylon soon gained the reputation of being the finest in the world, and tea exports became the mainstay of the colonial economy. Housewives and restaurateurs across the globe grew familiar with the name of the country, learning that its appearance on a tin or packet reliably guaranteed the quality of the tea inside. Independence brought new markets, and production continued to increase. In 1965 Ceylon became, for the first time, the world’s largest exporter of tea.
Ceylon was not only the former name of the country; it was also one of the world’s leading brands, familiar to consumers from Virginia to Vladivostok – a brand the industry had been actively promoting and investing in since the early 1930s. Ceylon refers to the country’s most famous product. Tea from Sri Lanka would still be marketed as Ceylon Tea; a priceless world brand had been saved.
Sri Lanka fast becoming "the wonder of Asia" has always been synonymous with Ceylon Tea. The industry, introduced by the British to the Indian Ocean Island almost 150 years ago has emerged as one of the largest foreign exchange earners to the country. With around 2 million people directly and indirectly involved with the industry, 10% of the island's population depends on the performance of Ceylon Tea for their livelihood. Thus, the sustainability of the tea industry is of utmost importance to the social stability of the island.
Sri Lanka’s Green Gold, Ceylon tea, is a god-sent- gift for the entire tea loving consumers around the globe which has been delighting them for 150 years taking them through authentic and exceptional Ceylon Tea experiences which cannot be delivered and matched by any other origin teas in the world.
With annual tea production around 340 Million kilos while generating foreign earnings over USD 1.5 Billion per annum, Sri Lanka is the only tea producing country which has passed an export income of more than USD 1.5 Billion from the tea industry in the world. Today the country is the largest orthodox tea exports and forth largest tea producer in the world. Further, Sri Lanka is the only country offering the world “Ozone –Friendly” Ceylon Tea. Many connoisseurs around the world agree that Ceylon Tea is certainly the Rolls Royce in the tea world. It is a high quality, high cost product with diversity in speciality not comparable with any other tea origin.
A Legal Definition
To qualify for the special, legal distinction denoted by the words ‘Ceylon Tea’, and for the famous Lion logo that goes with it, the tea must not only be grown and manufactured entirely in Sri Lanka; it must also conform to strict quality standards laid down and administered by the Sri Lanka Tea Board. It cannot, moreover, be mixed or blended with tea from any other part of the world. Even a blend that is 95% Sri Lankan cannot be described as Ceylon Tea.
Tea bearing the Lion Logo must also be packed in Sri Lanka. Overseas importers and distributors cannot use the logo on their packaging, though if the contents are 100% Sri Lankan, the name ‘Ceylon Tea’ may still legally be used. These strictures are needed to help consumers distinguish real Ceylon Tea from the thousands of products, including many with international brand names that are available around the world, which contain tea of mixed, non-specific origin.
These products are blended from whatever teas are available on the international markets. The skill of the blender ensures a consistent product regardless of origin, while the firm enjoys economies of scale and suffers no supply-side anxieties. However, the level of quality rarely equals that attained by single-origin teas, and such blends can never emulate the character, so prized by connoisseurs, of pure Ceylon Tea.
The Lion of Ceylon
Indivisibly associated with the Ceylon Tea brand is the famous Lion of Ceylon logo, found only on packages of pure Ceylon tea packed in Sri Lanka prior to export. The logo is based on the Lion of Ceylon, an ancient heraldic device which decorates the national flag of Sri Lanka. It was first adopted by the Tea Propaganda Board, one of the precursors of the present Tea Board, and is a registered trademark in over a hundred countries around the world.
What is so special about Ceylon tea?
Among all the teas out there, it is not unfair to say the words fine tea are synonymous with the words Ceylon tea. Tea drinkers consider Ceylon Tea as Sri Lanka’s gift to the world. But what exactly is so special about Ceylon tea ?
Handpicked
Though the island is blessed with an ideal terrain and climatic conditions, it is the human touch that greatly affects the end quality of the tea. Ceylon tea is still hand plucked the traditional way. Two leaves and a bud plucked by an experienced tea plucker is more labor intensive, while being more flavorful.
Artisanal
While most tea producing countries have adopted the commercially efficient Cut, Tear and Curl (CTC) process, Ceylon tea is about orthodox techniques. The labor intensive, manual and legendary batch production techniques of old Ceylon allows a wider range of leaf styles and grades. This is what creates uniquely Ceylon flavors and aromas.
Fresh
Ceylon tea is packed with 2 weeks of plucking. This seals in the delicate oils and preserves the flavor and aroma. Packing at the source ensures quality, authenticity and integrity of these fine teas. Always look for Ceylon tea packed in Sri Lanka, as this is what makes the difference between good Ceylon tea and great Ceylon tea.
Ozone friendly
Ceylon tea not just leads in taste, it also leads the way in environmental stewardship. Ceylon tea is special because the small island makes a big difference by not using the ozone depleting pest control agent methyl bromide. Ceylon tea is the only tea in the world to receive the accolade of ozone free tea by the Montreal Protocol.
Ethical
With nearly 7% of the population of the island involved in the tea industry, it is not just a job but a way of life for many Sri Lankans. The labor laws and collective agreements guarantee workers have housing and healthcare and Sri Lankan tea industry does not employ child labor. Go ahead, indulge and share a guilt free cup of Ceylon tea.
Love
A lot of love goes into making every pack of Ceylon tea. Every morning an army of 1.5 million dedicated tea crafters get busy to ensure that you have the best tasting and freshest tea. For over 150 years generations of pluckers, processors, tasters and packers have been combining their expertise, experience and dedication to ensure the world gets a unique gift from Sri Lanka.
