Nature Walks: Taste a Cup of Tea History

Friday, June 3, 2022

Taste a Cup of Tea History

Finest Tea Plantation

Uva province is very famous for the tea plantation in Sri Lanka. The story of tea begins hundreds of years ago when the country was still a British colony. In 1824 a tea plant was brought to Ceylon by the British from China and was planted in the Royal Botanical Garden in Peradeniya for non-commercial purposes. The industry was introduced to the country in 1867 by James Taylor, a British planter who arrived in 1852.

Today, the story is about a unique tea estate in the Haputhale district in Sri Lanka. The magnificent landscape mountains views covered with tea bushes are the most common sight in the hill country of Sri Lanka. The misty and cool climate with greenery surrounding is so inviting for a walk alone on these long stretched tea plantations.

We found some plants and flowers unique to the place on our way and small streams flowing through rocks. The view was amazing with every turn of the curvy roads.

We walk through the Thotagala tea plantation adjoining the estate is Damatenne, the most famous estate in Haputhale. The Damabatenna Tea garden was owned and enjoyed by Sir Thomas Lipton for over forty years of period. He loved the place. It inspired him.

The legend has it that it brought him immense pleasure to entertain his guests at picnics and also to contemplate nature's bounty and the prospects of the future at "Lipton's Seat" at the summit of his plantation.

Perched perilously at the edge of a sheer descent of nearly 5000 feet and offering a 360-degree view, surely the scenic beauty of Lipton Seat" is one of the world's most breathtaking.

Taking a photo sitting next to the same favorite spot Mr. Lipton's seat statue consider the most memorable souvenir for the visitors to his spectacular estate.

When we reach the place it was almost covered with mist and a few minutes later cleared for a panoramic view. From this point, the view extends to five provinces and clearly sees some of the landmarks of these provinces on a clear sunny day.

Sir Thomas Lipton was equally inspired by the rich aroma and flavor of the tea manufactured at the Dambatenne factory. Sir Thomas is no more but the aroma and flavor of Dambatenne tea linger on.

The tea pluckers with colorful sarees with a basket hanging behind them picking tea leaves in the estates are a very common sight in the area. The tea pluckers were originally brought from India for cheap wages and still leads very poor life with their low income. They are very hard working it is very interesting to see their fingers moving fast to pick the tender tea leaves.

The tea processing at the Dambatenne factory was quite an experience. The instructor explains every step of the process showing his experience and knowledge of the field of tea.

In the evening the tea baskets are collected by the collecting centers and go straight to the factory for the manufacturing process. The process takes place for a few days with different steps. The first stage of Tea Manufacture is withering. The most obvious change during the process of withering is the leaf becoming flaccid. Other chemical changes occur within the leaf cells increasing the Amino Acid. Flavour Compounds and Caffeine.

The rolling is the next step, the purpose of rolling is primarily to break up the leaf cells or compartments and to mix up the chemical components of the leaves with the enzymes. Next step fermenting, the breaking of cells causing the mixing up of the enzymes with the other chemical compounds (Oxidation of Polyphenois).

The process of firing removes most of the leaf moisture and stops fermentation by destroying the enzymes.

Grading is the separation of made tea, particles into various shapes and sizes in conformity with trade requirements. Example PEKOE, B.O.P, B.O.P.F., DUST 01, FGS 01, BP, DUST.

Packing and dispatching of tea is the last stage of the process. packing of tea to ensure that all desirable characteristics of tea are preserved.