At the beginning of the XIX century on a small island in the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka, then still bore the name Ceylon tea was brought from China and then India.Please wonderful bushes grown in the botanical garden, and after many experiments, it became clear that the island nature has created ideal conditions to plant wonderful tea plantations.
Sri Lanka - Tea Island
researchers found that Chinese tea should grow in the highlands, and India will feel great in the plains of the island.To begin planted 80 hectares of land, and to date, the tea plantations occupy 200,000 hectares, and the year the yield is more than 300 000 tons of fragrant leaves.
Currently Sri Lanka on the quality of tea is in the forefront of manufacturers.Every year there are new fragrant varieties whose quality is at the highest level.Drink exported around the world, and careful control of the production, drying and packaging ensures a great result.
cultivation of high-quality tea
The quality grade affects the future location of the tea plantation.The saturation of the soil by various trace elements, the level of dryness and humidity of the earth and air, altitude, neighboring plants - all this affects the taste, color and aroma of the leaves.
Tea plantations are located at three levels:
- to 600 meters above sea level,
- from 600 to 1200 meters,
- above 1200 meters.
in Sri Lanka do not interrupt the production of tea all year round.
territorial division
Tea plantations are located in all areas of the island: Uda Pussellava, Dambulla, Kandy.This is all the territory of Sri Lanka, who produce the world's best teas and Nuwara Eliya - the capital of the tea production.Here are the most high-plantation in the world, located at 2400 meters.The local drink is not like all the others - it is distinguished by a special flavor and color.Each of the varieties of Ceylon tea in his own good and gives vigor, freshness, strength and richness, exotic taste.The advanced production technology provides a wide range of taste and aromatic characteristics of the product.
Export
Sri Lanka holds first place among the producers on the sale of tea abroad and in third place in terms of production, providing about a quarter of global consumption.The share of tea leaves 2/3 of the value of total exports of the country.There is a joke among the population that the island will not find a good tea - all gone up for sale.
Products Sri Lanka for almost two hundred years, has the highest grade of quality.Plank does not fall over the years - is now a recognized leader in all characteristics.
«Tea" Minister
Tea plantations are so important to the economy, even the parliament established a special Tea Board.This supervisory authority has no analogues in the world and is engaged in the selection of products, tea sales abroad, advertising and marketing.At the request of the exporter Tea Board certifies the product.If the package is drawn lion with a sword, it means the level of quality at altitude.
tea as part of tourism
Route, which runs through the path of every tourist in Sri Lanka - a tea plantation.Picture of green field on which grows the famous Ceylon bush, after visiting the island for a long time travelers show friends.
Tourists certainly advised to visit the plantation, where it grows a plant known worldwide.Sri Lanka - a country where tea is one of the main attractions.In the factory, visitors are introduced to the manufacturing process, as well as tasting sessions where you can try different varieties, to compare the taste and aroma and buy for yourself a few favorite teas.Guides popularly explains that when choosing a need to know that the supply of goods carried out in various forms: banks, disposable bags, boxes, but often you can get a fake if the tea was not packaged on the island.In Kandy, tourists can visit the original Museum of Tea.
work on plantations
tea manufacturing process begins with the collection of young shoots: the top two leaves and buds still closed.Collection repeated every week and lasts for a year.This work is considered to be exclusively female, but at the same time is complex and difficult.Although it works on the plantation is quite difficult, and the case is for the most part family.For one kilogram of tea you need to collect four kilograms of tea leaves.
Black and green
bushes are all the same on the variety.Both green and black look is made from one material.The difference defines the technology of production of tea.Black - withered and fermented, and green - steamed or fried.If you plan to get the first option, after collecting the leaves should be collected zavyalit.As a result, drying sheets in them increases the concentration of cell sap.The product was dried to a thin layer of scattering on the shelves, where the air can circulate freely, without allowing leaf rot.If during the process of withering outside humidity, then further include fans and the warm air provides a complete drying.For 8-10 hours podvyalivayut sheet becomes soft, and does not break loose curls.
Curl - the next point in the technology of the product.It is necessary to ensure that the cellular structure of the sheet collapsed, enzymes and juices mingled.Fermentation and oxidation give the favorite drink flavor and taste.The extent of his way to lay the fortress is determined - what it is denser, the stronger the tea will be.Twisted fermented leaves are sent to the shelves for a few hours, so they were filled with oxygen, we got the dark, which is well known, as well as the characteristic tartness acquired taste.
After fermentation, the leaves are dried with hot air.They are dried at reduced in size by about a quarter and can further darken.The result is a tea semifinished product consisting of tea leaves, various size and quality.To tea has become homogeneous, it was sieved to give groups such as big leaf, broken, as well as tea crumbs.These groups differ in quality and appearance.
After sorting the product is weighed, packed and shipped for sale.Sri Lanka mainly produces varieties of black tea the traditional method of brewing.Ceylon comes to one hundred and fifty countries.
Value
flavored drink tea since the release in Europe has become an indispensable part of the culture and traditions of many countries.He has a positive effect on the nervous system, can tone and soothing, uplifting and quench their thirst.
quality tea necessarily should be stored in sealed packaging - glass or tin, and apart from spices and other strong-smelling substances, because the leaves will absorb odors, it eliminates their quality.
tea culture
brewing miracle drink is necessary to take water with the least content of minerals and salts.The leaves are filled with water, which only reached the boiling point.Long boiling water takes up oxygen, so the aroma and taste of the tea were not disclosed.Teapot and cups should be well warmed up.When brewing is necessary to take leaves per one teaspoon per person.Tea brewed for five minutes and then stirred in a pot with a spoon.
real gold
In the XIX century the cultivation of the coffee plantations of Sri Lanka changed the Indian and Chinese tea, but because of the climatic and geographical conditions, careful care and treatment process of the finished sheet, he became the highest quality in the world.Huge amounts of the gifts of tea plantations differ around the world, and the quality of the product is generally accepted in the first place.Tea plantations - this is one of the main attractions of Ceylon, and tea - the gold of the island.
