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TEA STORY
ORIGIN
Tea an aromatic beverage prepared from fresh or cured leaves of Camellia Sinensis, is an evergreen shrub.
Tea originated in southwest China, likely the Yunnan region during the Shang Dynasty, in the 3rd Century AD, as a medicinal drink . It first became known to western civilization through the Portuguese priests and merchants in China during the early 16th century. Later tea became popular in Britain in the 17th Century and the British introduced tea production, as well as tea consumption to Ceylon.
CEYLON TEA
The legend of tea in Ceylon goes back to the 19th century AD. After the devastation of the naturally growing coffee crops by a fungal disease "Hemilia vastatrix ", trials were taken for cocoa and cinchona but were unsuccessful.
In 1824 the first tea plant was brought to Ceylon from China by the British. Witnessing the success of this experimental plantation, James Taylor at the age of 17 planted tea crops in Loolecondera estate in Kandy in 1867. He later established a tea factory in Kandy and sent the first shipment to London. Thereby expanding the tea business across Ceylon and across the world.
Today Sri Lanka is the 4th largest tea producer in the world and is renowned for its rich taste and quality. Tea has become one of the major exports of Sri Lanka now.
TEA GROWING REGIONS
1. Tea Plant
The tea plant-Camellia Sinensis is an evergreen shrub that mainly grows in Tropical & subtropical regions.