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Monthly Archives: October 2019

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Nipun Wisnagalage
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Honouring Late Navaratne Pilapitiya: Founder of New Vithanakande Tea Factory

It’s true that Ceylon Tea hasn’t got a long history as Chinese tea. Tea was first grown commercially in Sri Lanka (Ceylon) by Scottish planter James Taylor in 1867. Eventually Ceylon Tea became one of the finest tasting teas in the world thanks to her overall, well balanced tasting profile with ideal strength, body, aroma and flavour. During this short history, Asia’s Sweetheart (Sri Lanka) had the honour of having legends who really contributed to the betterment of tea industry. Late Mr. Navaratne Pilapitiya the Founder of New Vithanakande Tea Factory is one of them. This true legend passed away in early September 2019.

You must be wondering why I am admiring him so much. That’s purely due to his great effort to make his trade mark present in many popular Online tea websites all around the globe. It’s not a new name for single estate tea lovers in North America and Europe.

Image Credit: Daily FT & Daily Mirror

1. USA

Ceylon Black Tea Single Estate New Vithanakande OP
New Vithanakande

Elm Wood Fine Teas: https://store.elmwoodinn.com/ceylon-new-vithanakande.aspx

2. UK

Ceylon New Vithanakande Silver Tips

3. Netherlands

New Vithanakande Est FBFOP Ex Sp

4. Canada: https://distinctlytea.com/products/vithanakande-estate-bop1

5. Italy: https://www.laviadelte.com/shop/ceylon-vithanakande/

Review By Tea Snob: http://teasnob.de/new-vithanakande-fbopf-ex-sp

Above are very few, there are many more you can find if you just type “New Vithanakande” in any search engine.

About The Founder

Image Credit: Daily Mirror

Mr. Pilapitiya having served as a planter in an agency house, retired after a couple of years to take over the family-owned Vithanakande tea factory and the tea fields surrounding it. He gradually built it to a new level of excellence. This led the tea factory to be an excellent food processing factory, producing a high-quality product for which the buyers paid a premium price.

This legend nurtured the smallholder tea gardens in his Delwala village to cultivate and pluck high quality tea leaves. He thereafter spread his wings into the entirety of Kalawana area and beyond.

Mr. Pilapitiya was a part of the team that formed Private Tea Factory Owners Association which is now possibly stronger and as powerful as the Planters Association. Mr. Pilapitiya served on the committee, subsequently occupying the hot seat of Chairman 1999-2001.

At The National Tea Award Ceremony for 2017, organized by Sri Lanka Tea Board parallel to 150th Anniversary of Ceylon Tea this well renowned tea producing plant won the first place from among the large-scale tea factories in Sri Lanka.

On this occasion, the Chairman of the factory Navaratne Pilapitiya was offered a special award in appreciation of his service rendered by him during his lifetime on behalf of the tea industry.

“Tea with Nipun” would like to take this opportunity to forward heart-full Gratitude to Mr. Pilapitiya for His Valiant Effort to Uplift Pure Ceylon Tea All Around The World.

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

References

1.About Mr. Pilapitiya: http://www.sundaytimes.lk/190922/business-times/the-last-scion-in-the-emergence-of-the-low-country-smallholder-tea-industry-368993.html?fbclid=IwAR3NxYIDCyLP_WTZQSLZ3OlOYpNTmIOUv5_AGFOFMv5hd7w-oJioZyFaF3M

2. Image Source: http://www.ft.lk/business/New-Vithanakande-Tea-Factory-improves-all-time-record-for-OP1-Grade/34-670100

3. More Info: http://www.dailymirror.lk/article/New-Vithanakanda-Tea-Factory-wins-Best-Tea-Factory-Award-142351.html

plasticteaba
Nipun Wisnagalage
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Plastic Tea Bags Release Micro & Nano Particles. What’s The Solution ?

Since it’s discovery by the Chinese emperor Shen Nong, tea has refreshed the man kind for generations. This 5000 year old drink eventually became the most popular beverage in the world after water due to her amazing functional and health benefits. When it comes to innovation, tea was always behind other beverage crops like coffee. One would argue that the tea bag is the only significant innovation in the history of tea. The discovery of tea bag was also an accident in USA. Later on thanks to the discovery of pyramid tea bags, even leaf teas could enter to the convenience conscious consumer segment. But as a new study had claimed, a soothing cup of the brewed beverage may come with a dose of micro particles and nano-sized plastics shed from the bags. Possible health effects of ingesting these particles are currently unknown, the researchers say.

Research team wondered whether newly discovered plastic teabags could be releasing micro- and nano plastics / particles into the beverage during brewing. They also suppose to explore effects of the released particles on small aquatic organisms called Daphnia magna, or water fleas, which are model organisms often used in environmental studies. So there is a potential risk to human health, if you pour plastic tea bags in boiling water.

Image Credit: American Chemistry Society

I am very certain that tea lovers are already aware of the issue after going though many articles related to this mater. By the mean time, it’s worth discussing alternatives to plastic tea bags.

1. Loose Leaf Tea

Image Credit: Creative Market

There is nothing better than a steaming pot of tea made with loose leaf tea. No matter whether it’s smaller grade or a leafy tea. All you need is a proper strainer to pour and through the infusion out and sip your favorite tea.

2. Using a Metal Infuser

Schefs Premium Tea Infuser - Light Weight Stainless Steel - Large Capacity Ball with Long Spoon Handle - New Strainer Design
Image Credit: schefs.com/

For me, this is one of the best alternatives to plastic tea bags. Here you need to put your favorite tea in to the infuser (Finer grades like Dust may come out of this) and press gently while steeping.

3. Soilon Pyramid Tea Bags

Char Ceylon Supreme Pyramid Tea Bags (Biodegradable)
Image Credit: CHAR WORLD CLASS TEAS

Soilon is a bio-degradable material specially used to pack organic teas with ethical claims. This is also a kind of hard paper material. But, I can’t guarantee that this material is fully healthy. Also this can’t tolerate flavoured tea for a longer period.

I will not give you conventional filter paper tea bags or ready to drink iced tea as alternatives.

Tea consumers are wise. So it’s up to you to decide the best way to pour your “Cup of Life”.

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

References

1.American Chemistry Society: https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/pressroom/presspacs/2019/acs-presspac-september-25-2019/plastic-teabags-release-microscopic-particles-into-tea.html

2. History of Tea Bags: https://time.com/3996712/a-brief-history-of-the-tea-bag/

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