The consumption of teas is a practice spread by mankind for millennia, regardless of use: medicinal or just to provide pleasure . Tea also appears as one of the most popular drinks on the planet, second only to water. However, in countries like Sri Lanka , tea cultivation is relatively new, with only 150 years since it was started.

Sri Lanka is currently the third largest tea-producing country in the world, with 9% of global production . What’s more, the herbs produced there are considered the best we’ve ever heard of, taking into account their aroma, quality and flavor .

This title was attested by experts in the drink from several countries around the world. This position makes Sri Lanka proud and deserves the celebration.

The cultivation of teas in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka started to stand out as a tea producer in the year 1867 . The fact began with the Scottish entrepreneur James Taylor , responsible for the introduction of commercial cultivation techniques for the commodity on the island. Planting was started at Loolecondera Estate in Kandy. The property used to start the herb production was just over 76,000 m².

Six years after the plant began growing, Taylor got the first shipment. This was a consignment of about 10 kg, shipped to London. From then on, Taylor became known as the “Father of Tea” in Sri Lanka . From the first introduction of herbs until today, production began to spread throughout the territory. The producing regions are mainly grouped between the mountains of the central massif of the island and the foothils of the south.

Flavor x climate variations

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Due to the variation in climate that exists in Sri Lanka, some species develop more easily . Particular conditions influence the flavor, taste and aroma of each tea. Those variations cultivated at low altitude, which are exposed to long periods of sun, without rain in a warm and humid environment, present a liquid with a color drawn to the wine, precisely because of the blackened appearance of the leaves. Furthermore, the flavor takes on a strong malt note.

The teas that come from high altitudes, cultivated at 3,000 meters above sea level, are totally different from the first variation described, especially when taking into account the time of year. Suffering interference from cold winds and a dry and cool environment, the variations of teas have a golden honey color, with greenish and pasty tones.

Certifications

Added to this, the fact that tea production in the country adheres to almost all international conventions, agreements and certifications related to the environment has made it even more prominent. Sri Lanka holds the world’s first and only certified ‘Ozone Friend’ tea .

The passing of the date around the world

To celebrate the 150th anniversary of tea cultivation in Sri Lanka, Sri Lankan embassies and business people are organizing a series of activities around the world. Among the countries that received the celebrations, Brazil was not left out. The party took place in July 2017, in the gardens of the Embassy of Sri Lanka, in Brasília . The celebration brought together hoteliers, restorers, diplomats and journalists.

During the event, the Sri Lankan ambassador to Brazil, Jogath Jayasuriya recalled the importance of teas for the country’s economy and highlighted the island’s position in the world market. “The cultivation of tea today employs 10% of our population and mobilizes all regions of the country , since 60% of production comes from small producers spread across our plains,” said the ambassador in an interview published on the Finíssimo website.

Sri Lanka’s economy

Sri Lanka is an Asian country located off the southern tip of the Indian subcontinent . It has shores to the Bay of Bengal to the east, the Indian Ocean to the south and west, and the Palk Strait to the northwest, which separates it from India. The island is about 65,000 km² and has a maximum length of 432 km and a width of 224 km. Buddhism is the religion of at least 70% of the population.

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Sri Lanka’s economy is based on the export of primary products such as graphite, textiles, coconut and rubber. This list also includes tea, which appears as one of the main products. Until the early 1990s, Sri Lanka was the world ‘s largest tea exporter , but the war produced in its cultivation to decline year after year.