What Does History of Coffee in China Share With Ceylon Tea
Sri Lanka, known as Ceylon until 1972, built its tea industry from a single commercial estate. Scotsman James Taylor planted 19 acres at Loolecondera in 1867, built a factory there in 1872, and shipped the first Ceylon tea to London for auction in 1875. The island now ranks as the world's fourth-largest tea producer, exporting about 320,000 tons a year.
Before tea, the British brought a tea plant from China to Peradeniya in 1824 for ornament, and the East India Company introduced Assam plants in 1839 for experiments. Tea only became commercial after Taylor learned cultivation methods in India. The Colombo tea auction and the Tea Research Institute later formalized the trade, and nationalization followed by privatization reshaped it again. This path parallels the history of coffee in China, where an imported plant grew into a domestic industry.
Sri Lanka, formerly known as Ceylon, means "resplendent land of light and abundance." After the name change in 1972, people still habitually refer to the local black tea as Ceylon black tea. The island's tea industry legend began over two hundred years ago during the British colonial period, when Scotsman James Taylor established the first commercial tea estate at Loolecondera in 1867, after which Ceylon tea gradually made its way to the world. From the establishment of the Colombo tea auction to the founding of the Tea Research Institute, from nationalization to privatization reforms, Sri Lanka's tea industry has undergone many changes and is now the world's fourth-largest tea producer, with annual exports of about 320,000 tons. This article traces the development of Ceylon black tea and recommends related products from Front Street Coffee, taking you through this unique chapter of tea history.
Sri Lanka was originally named "Ceylon," a word that in the local language means "resplendent land of light and abundance." On May 22, 1972, this South Asian island nation officially changed its name to the Republic of Sri Lanka, but people still habitually call the black tea produced locally Ceylon black tea.
The historical heritage and success story of Ceylon tea, passed down through generations, is truly unique. This story dates back over two hundred years, when Sri Lanka was still a British colony. In 1824, the British brought a tea plant from China and planted it in the Royal Botanical Garden in Peradeniya, purely for ornamental purposes and not for commercial production. By 1839, the East India Company introduced tea plants from Assam and Calcutta, initiating more planting experiments.
Scotsman James Taylor was the pioneer of commercial tea cultivation in Sri Lanka. In 1852, he arrived in Sri Lanka and settled at the Loolecondera estate in Kandy. In 1866, Taylor traveled to India to learn the basic methods of tea cultivation on plantations. Upon his return, he established a 19-acre tea estate at Loolecondera in 1867. Soon, nearby plantations such as Hope, Rookwood, and Mooloya also switched to tea cultivation, becoming some of the island's earliest tea estates. In 1872, Taylor built a fully equipped tea factory at Loolecondera. In 1875, he successfully shipped the first batch of Ceylon tea to London for auction.
As Ceylon tea grew increasingly popular around the world, the need arose to mediate and regulate tea transactions. On July 30, 1883, under the sponsorship of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, the first public Colombo auction was held at Somerville & Co. The Colombo tea auction is considered the world's oldest and largest tea auction center. In 1894, the Ceylon Tea Traders Association was established, and today almost all tea in Sri Lanka is produced and traded through this association and the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce. By 1927, China's tea production had exceeded 100,000 tons, almost entirely for export. In 1941, the first Ceylon tea brokerage firm, M/s Pieris & Abeywardena, was established.
In 1925, the Tea Research Institute was established to study how to maximize yields and improve production methods. In 1955, the first clonal tea estate began planting. By the 1960s, total tea production and exports had surpassed 200,000 hectares and 200,000 tons, respectively.
In 1965, Sri Lanka became the world's largest tea exporter for the first time. In 1963, the production and export of instant tea were introduced; in 1966, the first International Tea Convention was held to commemorate the centenary of Sri Lanka's tea industry. In the early 1970s, the Sri Lankan government nationalized the tea estates owned by British companies. In 1976, the Sri Lanka Tea Board, along with institutions such as the Janatha Estate Development Board (JEDB), the Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation (SLSPC), and the Tea Small Holding Development Authority (TSHDA), were established to oversee the government-acquired estates. Tea bag exports also began in 1976.
In 1980, Sri Lanka became the official tea supplier for the 1980 Moscow Summer Olympics, the 1982 Brisbane XII Commonwealth Games, and the 1988 World Expo 88 in Australia. In 1981, Sri Lanka began importing tea for blending and re-export; in 1982, it began producing and exporting green tea. In 1983, CTC tea was introduced for sale in the country. In 1992, an international conference held in Colombo celebrated the 125th anniversary of the industry. Between 1992 and 1993, many state-owned tea estates were privatized once again.
In 2001, at the Colombo tea auction, Forbes & Walker Limited completed the first online tea sale. In 2002, a tea museum was established in Kandy. By 2013, Sri Lanka's tea production had exceeded 340,000 tons.
This product began with diversification experiments in 1867, initially planted on just 19 acres in Kandy, and has now expanded to six major producing regions in the country—Nuwara Eliya, Dimbula, Kandy, Uda Pussellawa, Uva Province, and Southern Province. Tea exports have transcended all geographical boundaries, meeting 19% of global demand. From the smallest restaurant counter to the world's most upscale tea houses, attention to this immense balance is required.
Sri Lanka is renowned worldwide for its unique taste and aroma, and is currently the world's fourth-largest tea producer; in 2013, it was the world's largest tea exporter. Annual exports are about 320,000 tons, with export revenue reaching 1.5 billion USD in 2013.
For coffee lovers, understanding the story of tea can also enrich the tasting experience. Front Street Coffee recommends you try Sri Lankan black tea and experience its unique flavor.
The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.
