Tea:

Region:

Sri Lanka,  Kandy district

Grade:   

Handmade special green tea curls - a rare tea.

Manufacture Type:  

Processed green tea

Cup Characteristics:

Medium body with a heady peach-like flavor. The aroma captures the spirit.

Infusion:  

Mottled silver hued leaves

Information:

The Dumbara valley, situated in the central hills of Sri Lanka beyond the ancient Kingdom of Kandy, had its early mention in the 13th century when King Wickremabahu III moved his capital from Gampola. For 50 years he reigned the country until King Buvanekabahu V took over with his Kingdom to Kotte. It is recorded that the King of Kurunegala, prior to the 13th century, moved up to the Dumbara valley to avoid invasion by the Kings of Jaffna and to take advantage of the extremely rich soil and the moderate rainfall of this valley, conducive to an agricultural civilization.

The Dumbara valley is the backdrop of the ‘Pavilion’, the governors mansion which is situated in the middle of the splendid Peradeniya Botanical Gardens. The valley’s lush vegetation bursts into view across the splendid gardens when you step onto the main balcony of the mansion. Beyond the Dumbara Valley, the Knuckles Mountain Range, with its four distinct elevations adds great charm to an already spectacular view. It is no wonder that this tea tastes so wonderful.

The father of Ceylon tea is considered to be James Taylor. In 1866, James Taylor started collecting tea seeds from the Peradeniya Botanical Garden in Kandy and planted them along the roadsides in hedge-like rows. The initial results were considered very favourable and a W.M. Leake who was the secretary of the Ceylon Planters Association sent Arthur Morice to India to study the Assam tea districts. Concurrent to these efforts, the mainstay (coffee) of the Ceylon economy of the time was being devastated by the coffee rust which killed over 85% of the coffee trees; it was imperative to find another agricultural crop. The report brought back to Ceylon from India was very favorable and soon thereafter a consignment of Assam tea seeds was given to James Taylor for cultivation. By 1873 the first consignment of tea was sold in auction in Kandy and declared to be equal to the best Assam of its day. Sri Lanka was on its way to becoming one of the top tea producing countries in the world.
 

Brewing Instructions:

Hot Tea Brewing Method:  When preparing by the cup, this tea can be used repeatedly - about 3 times. The secret is to use water that is about 180’F or about 80’C. Take 1 teaspoon for each cup let it steep for about 3 minutes and then begin enjoying a cup of enchantment - do not remove the leaves from the cup. Once the water level is low - add more water, and so on and so on - until the flavor of the tea is exhausted. Look at the pattern of the leaves in the brew, not only do they tell you your future, but they beckon you to Dumbara Valley.