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Monthly Archives: April 2019

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Nipun Wisnagalage

Evolution of Different Names for “Tea”

Chinese had been known great benefits of tea for more than 5000 years. By the time when Chinese emperor Shen Nong discovered tea, his good self would have never thought that this wonderful beverage would become the most consumed beverage in the world after water. But according to history, international trading of tea was initiated just few centuries ago. With the spread of this healthy and functional beverage, different nations started to call Tea in various names.

Credit: Visual Capitalists (https://www.visualcapitalist.com/)

As Nick Routley had published in Visual Capitalists (https://www.visualcapitalist.com/), China’s export dominance over tea influenced how people around the world refer to their steeped beverages.

If you focus on the green line of above map, the spread of tea along the Silk Route from Mandarin-speaking Northern China resulted in much of Asia (India, Iran, Turkey etc), Russia and Africa (Northern & West Africa) having similar sounding names for tea. Chá evolved into the chai widely consumed in India and surrounding areas today. Even though Assam area in India has been recognized as one of the tea origins, tea became more popular during the British rule in this subcontinent.

Other major tea trade route, through Min-speaking Southern China, spread the pronunciation that became the standard around Europe. This is why we see such striking similarities between thé (French), thee (Dutch), tee (German), té (Spanish), and tè (Italian). Tea was first shipped to Europe from Xiamen port, Fujian province, China. Even in Sri Lanka where finest quality Ceylon Teas are grown, Tea is called “thé ” in local language.

View More Tea Articles + Latest Tea News: http://www.teawithnipun.com/

References

1. Infographic: https://www.visualcapitalist.com/mapping-words-along-trade-routes/

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Nipun Wisnagalage
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Black, Oolong, Green and White Tea: What’s the Difference? (video)

Tea is the second most popular beverage in the world after water. All Black, Oolong, Green and White Teas are coming from the same plant. So what makes those tea types different even though all of them are descending from the same source ? By providing an answer, American Chemistry Society (https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en.html) has released a video in order to educate consumers.

Credit: American Chemistry Society https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en.html

Tea is a rich source of antioxidants which are polyphenols in nature. Catechins are the main form of poly-phenols present in tea green leaves. During Black tea processing, these catechins are converted naturally in to theaflavins (A Poly-phenol) and a part of theaflavins (A Poly-phenol) are further oxidized in to Thearubigins. Poly-phenol oxidase (PPO) is the enzyme responsible for this reaction. This reaction initiates once the leaf is twisted or broken at rolling process. You must have observed the colour change of apple (In to a brown colour) once it cuts in to pieces and keep for a while. Yes, this is the same reaction.

Source: https://pubs.rsc.org/

During Green Tea manufacture, the action of PPO is restricted by denaturing the enzyme with heat. Oolong tea is partially oxidized. White teas like Silver tips are manufactured with apical terminal bud. There is hardly any rolling for white tea. So no fermentation occurs. The white colour comes from the pubescence present under the leaf.

Most important thing is nothing added artificially during any of above tea manufacture. Therefore no matter whether it’s Black, Oolong, Green or White tea. Enjoy your humble cuppa. Cheers !

View More Tea Articles + Latest Tea News: http://www.teawithnipun.com/

References

1.Video: https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/pressroom/newsreleases/2019/april/white-green-black-and-oolong-tea-whats-the-difference-video.html

2.Picture: https://pubs.rsc.org/

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Nipun Wisnagalage
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Ceylon’s First Female Assistant Superintendent: Tea

Since the initiation of “Ceylon Tea” commercial cultivation way back in 1867, women has played a vital role to uplift it’s image for more than 150 years. Tea flush is still plucked manually by female workers. After publishing a news on 1st female estate manager in Assam, India, “Tea With Nipun” decided to bring you information on the 1st Female Assistant Superintendent / Estate Manager in Sri Lanka.

Source: http://www.sundaytimes.lk/

She is 28 year old Ms. Chaturika Rajapakse (third from left) has assumed duties as the first ever Junior Assistant Superintendent of the Queens Town estate in Hali Ella, Badulla (Uva Region Sri Lanka) under the Malwatte Valley Plantations from December 1 2016 (Yes by the time she was appointed, she was 26). Most females joining the estates would continue working in the administrative sector but Chathurika has been able to satisfy the board after just eight months of training.

Source: http://www.sundayobserver.lk/

This courageous young girl is a an old girl of Vihara Maha Devi Girls’ College, Badulla, she had a dream to join a predominantly male portfolio taking after her beloved father’s footsteps who was serving as a field officer in another estate. She is riding a motorcycle in a pair of trousers and shirt manning a workforce of 300 handling agriculture, administration and health and welfare aspects of plantation workers. She also encounters daily issues like strikes, climatic changes and converse in all three languages. She was trained under Former Queenstown estate Manager Late Mr. Mohan Ganapatti (second from right). Others in the picture are from left: Ledgerwatte Estate Manager Kasun Samarawikrama, Malwatte Valley Plantations Executive Director Tea Shanaka Samaradiwakara and (extreme right) Ms. Oosha Ganapathy.

As the administrator of “Tea With Nipun” I also had the honor of training under Late Mr. Mohan Ganapathy who’s standing on her left. That was at Eastern Tea Brokers based in Colombo, Sri Lanka in 2012. This was as a part of my academic program. He was the external supervisor for my final year research. But after all his supervision Mr. Ganapathy requested me to put Eastern Broker’s chairman’s name as the supervisor on my thesis for better recognition. What’s a sacrifice. So I am sure Chathurika must have been well trained by Mr. Ganapathy. Hats Off to Both of Them !

Anyway, I would like to Take This Opportunity to Congratulate Chathurika for Her Great Achievement !!

View More Tea Articles + News: http://www.teawithnipun.com/

References

1.More Info: http://www.sundaytimes.lk/161120/business-times/sri-lankas-first-female-sinna-dorai-217350.html

2. Image Source: http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2016/12/04/business/new-chapter-plantation-history

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Nipun Wisnagalage

Tea Grown in Netherlands: Rare & Exotic

Being the most popular beverage after water, Tea has got a history of more than 5000 years. Tea is grown commercially in every continent in the world. Yes, even in North America (South Carolina, Hawaii), Australia, South America (Argentina) and Europe (Turkey, UK). Today, I would like to bring you more details about rare & exotic teas produced in Netherlands. That’s “Tea by Me (https://teabyme.eu/en/)

Source: https://www.tea-chronicles.com/

You may be wondering what kind of tea I am talking about. “Tea with Nipun” always deals with real tea coming from the plant Camellia sinensis. This tea garden produces Black, Oolong, Green & White teas. The company was initiated just two and half years ago, and the very first tea they crafted won an award. According to (https://www.tea-chronicles.com/ ), this tea has everything a tea lover could wish for – beautiful appearance, intense fresh scent and gentle flavor.

Tea by Me is also selling tea plants which you can grow in your own living room or garden and use to craft your own tea. This sounds great, doesn’t it? They also offer freshly plucked tea flushes so you don’t need to worry with cultural practices and possible to obtain your own tea.

They also have got many of blends with local Dutch herbal infusions like roses, sweet almond,
licorice etc.

I am quite certain that you’re willing to know more details on this reputed firm. Please browse in to Tea by Me’s official website via the URL: https://teabyme.eu/en/

Where to Buy in UK: https://teabyme.eu/en/where-to-buy/

Now we have started to hear more uncommon tea origins like USA mainland, UK and Rest of Europe. This may be due to the emerging passion to grow tea among tea lovers in the western world. Global warming is certainly assisting them, isn’t it ?

More Tea Articles + Latest News: http://www.teawithnipun.com/

More References

1.About Dutch Green Tea: https://www.tea-chronicles.com/dutch-green-tea/

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