The 150-year-old story of Sri Lankan tea-making

 Almost 5% of the population of Sri Lanka work in the billion-dollar tea industry, picking leaves on the mountain slopes and processing the tea in plantation factories.The cultivation and selling of black tea has shaped the lives of generations of Sri Lankans since 1867.Documentary photographer Schmoo Theune visited plantations in the country to explore the world of Ceylon tea production.

 Tea bushes on mountain slopes are situated above the barracks-style housing which each plantation provides for its workers.Tea buds must be picked by hand every seven to 14 days, before the leaves grow too tough.This means the working location can change from day to day, depending on where the buds need to be collected.The tea leaves are gathered in tarpaulin bags, which are lighter than the traditional wicker baskets that were once used.