Nuwara Eliya has become synonymous with tea that it is quite easy to forget that it was originally begun in Kandy. Here is a quick history of the green leaf and how it is plucked.
A 150 Year History
Born in Laurancekirk, Kincardineshiro, Scotland in 1835, James Taylor left for Ceylon at the age of 17 in 1852 and arrived in Loolecondera which is approximately 25 kilometres from Kandy. The British Raj were experimenting with tea after coffee in Ceylon fell victim to a blight. Taylor began planting tea in 1867.
The Birthplace of Ceylon Tea
Taylor began commercial tea planting across 19 acres in Loolecondera. He brought the seed from Assam. It was because of his tireless efforts that the tea industry kicked off and went on to become the giant Ceylon Black Tea is today.
Plucking Tea
If you are staying in one of the hotels in Kandy, Sri Lanka you will find it very easy to get to the Tea Museum which is situated in Hantana, about 3 km from the city centre.
The museum is comprehensive and offers tours that show you how the olden systems were used to make tea leaves ready to brew. Most of these old systems are still being used today. There are also landscaped tea gardens where you can learn how to identify the leaf buds and how to pick them by pinching at the stem and plucking in an upward motion. Ask your local resort hotel like Earl’s Regent Kandy for more information.
Filled with wanderlust that seeks to explore distant shores and captivated by the colors and vibrancy of exotic cultures, Kanya Mae writes on the beautiful, exciting, and enchanting wonders of the world. She is a writer who not only has a passion for travel, but also has a background in fashion, art and media. Google+
