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Monthly Archives: November 2019

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Nipun Wisnagalage
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Meet Ceylon’s Best Tea Pluckers (No 1, 2 & 3)

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 highly skilled plantation workers, specially tea pluckers. They are the unsung heroes who really contributed for the betterment of “Pure Ceylon Tea”.  

The competition was hosted by the Sri Lanka Tea Board in celebration of 150 years of tea in Sri Lanka (2017), the national competition was first conducted at a divisional and then estate level with the winners qualifying to take part in a final inter-estate competition at Pedro Estate Nuwara Eliya which produces my favourite tea, adjudicated over by a panel of judges from Sri Lanka Tea Board and Tea Research Institute of Sri Lanka. 

Sri Lanka Tea Board Best Tea Plucker competition, M. Sivagami, P. Indrani, and K.D. Vijayakala with Hayleys Plantations Managing Director Roshan Rajadurai and Hayleys PLC Chairman and Chief Executive Mohan Pandithage
Image Credit: Daily FT

During the heated final competition, three Hayleys Plantations’ harvesters – M. Sivagami, P. Indrani, K.D. Vijayakala – emerged victorious respectively taking first, second and third places at the all-island finals. 

1. M. Sivagami

Sivagami beated 120 other tea harvesters to pluck an outstanding 3 kg of tea in just 15 minutes. She was treated to a grand tour of some of Singapore’s most iconic sights including a trip to the Singapore Flyer, Chinatown and the Marina Garden by the Bay. She initiated her career at Fordyce Estate, Dikoya, Kellani Valley Plantations at the age of 25, Sivagami has been a steadfast employee for the company for the past 26 years in addition to being a wife and mother of two children. She stated that her dream would be to earn and save enough to provide a comprehensive education for her children.

2. P. Indrani

Indrani is a Talawakele Tea Estates employee from the Kiruwanganga Estate who received a cash prize for her efforts. Commencing her employment in the sector in 1967, Indrani – who has worked in the industry for four decades – expressed gratitude to her Superintendent, her colleagues, family and friends for encouraging her to do her best at the competition. 

3. K.D Vijayakala

The third place winner, K.D Vijayakala, also of Talawakele Tea Estates PLC, working in the Indola Estate, received a valuable cash prize for her efforts and was a truly special participant in the inaugural competition. A mother of three children, Vijayakala is 32 years old (During competition in 2017)and lives and works on the estate with her family.

It’s too late to congratulate these 3 proud women. But I am really happy since I was able to bring them some honour by sharing their great achievement with international tea community.

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

References

Original Post: http://www.ft.lk/agriculture/Hayleys-tea-harvesters-win-1st-2nd-and-3rd-place-at-national-tea-plucking-competition/31-660122

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Nipun Wisnagalage

The European Tea Society Creates Excellence in Speciality Tea Community

Tea was known to Chinese for more than 5000 years. But this wonderful beverage became a popular in Europe just few centuries back. Today, Europe is mainly a coffee drinking region. But still there are so many tea lovers who are so passionate on speciality tea. By the way, The European Tea Society which initially conceived in 2017 was presented to industry professionals in 2018, has also extended its membership offering to the wider European tea community.

Their mission is to create and inspire excellence in the specialty tea community through innovation, research, education and communication. With significant change taking place across the tea industry, both internationally as well as Europe, the European Tea Society is harnessing this movement to drive and motivate the specialty sector for the promotion and development of high quality teas and botanicals across the world.

Members of The European Tea Society will join a growing network of tea people that spans the globe. Our members oversee every step of the value chain, from the tea plants in the ground to the sip in the cup.

Image Credit: ttps://www.teaandcoffee.net/

Board of Directors are a group of highly experienced tea professionals and enthusiasts in the modern era.

DIRECTORS

Nigel Melican              President

Alexis Kaae                  Vice President and Chair of Education Committee

Bernadine Tay            Chair of Research & Technology and Marketing & Communications Committees

Christos Gkosdis        Chair of Finance Committee

Victoria Cleeves         Chair of Membership Committee

Karen Colclough        Chair of Operations Committee

Also,

David Veal              Executive Director and Chair of Events Committee     

Willem Huisman Director (Sales Director/Professional Filter France Benelux)

Daniel Versey Director (Marco Beverages)

European Tea Society President Nigel Melican said: “Geography is of no consequence. We embrace tea’s history and traditions, whilst evolving and championing European ideas and experience. Our aims are to enable sustainable growth of the European tea market, while guiding members through an ever-changing global marketplace.”

Learn More About Membership: https://www.europeanteasociety.org/membership

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

References

  1. Official Website of The European Tea Society: https://www.europeanteasociety.org/
  2. Image Credit & More Information: https://www.teaandcoffee.net/
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