The Wonderful Story Of Sri-Lankan Tea☕

Hello to everyone.Hope you all are fine.Today I'm going to write about a very special topic.That is Sri-lankan TEA.Sri-lankan tea which know for generations as ceylon tea carries it's own heritage and success story like no other.The story of sri-lankan tea begins over two hundred years ago.When Sri-lanka is under the governing of British in 1824 a tea plant was brought to ceylon.It was brought from China.So they planted it in Royal botanical gardens Peradeniya for non commercial purpose.

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Experimental plantation of tea begun in 1839 With tea plants brought from kolkata through the Estate India company.

Commercial cultivation of tea commenced in Sri-lanka by the scotsman,James Taylor.He arrived Sri-lanka in 1852.He settled down in Loolecondera estate in Kandy.In 1866 Taylor visited India to learn the basics of tea plantations.After his return he started a 19 acres tea plantation in Loolecondera estate in 1867.Soon after Rockwood,Mooloya began transforming into tea plantation areas.They were the first tea estates in Sri-lanka.He opened first tea factory in 1872.In 1875 Taylor managed to send the first shipment of ceylon tea to London tea auction.

The First tea estate in Sri-Lanka.

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As time passed sri-lanka tea gain popularity across the world.In 30 July 1883 the first colombo auction was held.This auction is the oldest and largest tea auction center of the world.In 1894 ceylon tea traders association was formed.By 1927 tea production of sri-Lanka exceeded 100,000 metric tons.

After that production sri-Lanka maximize tea factories.As per the result of it in 1960s total number of tea production and exports in sri-Lanka exceeded 200,000 hectares and 200,000 metric tons respectively.

By1965 sri-Lanka became the highest tea exporter for the first time.In 1966 the first international tea convention was held to commemorates 100 years of tea industry in sri-Lanka.In early 1970s sri-Lanka government nationalised tea factories own by british government.In 1976 exporting of tea bags also started.

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In 1980 Sri-Lanka owned the official supplier of tea deal at 1980 summer olympic games.Thereafter in 1982 at the 12th commonwealth games in Brisbane and in 1987 at Expo 88 in Australia.In 1982 the 125th anniversary of tea industry of Sri-Lanka was celebrated in an international convention in Colombo.Thereafter many of the government own tea properties became privatised.

In 2001 first on-line sales of tea commenced.A tea museum was established in Kandy in 2002.By 2013 tea production in Sri-Lanka had exceeded over 340,000 metric tons.

A product that began as a experiment in 1867 is now dominating Sri-Lankan market.It was only 19 acers of tea plantation at the beginning.Now it has expanded to six regions in sri-Lanka.Those are Nuwaraeliya,Kandy,Uda Pussellawa,Dimbulla,Uva province and Southern province.

Can't say what will happen in upcoming days to our tea industry.But for now Sri-Lanka has earned a got spot in tea market of the world.

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Big salute from me for all the men and women those who are working in tea estates.🙏

Thanks for reading.
Stay safe.😷