The first tea bushes were planted at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya 1824 by English planters. James Taylor began commercial planting in 1867 and is known as the father of Ceylon Tea. Ceylon tea is currently grown in 7 different eco-systems with a broad spectrum of favours, tastes and strengths from hi-grown to low-grown varieties.
The role of the Ceylon Tea Board (SLTB) is to oversee the tea industry, ensuring that high quality standards are upheld. It was also responsible for introducing the prestigious ‘Lion’ logo, which signifies approval of quality. Over the course of two centuries, our tea industry has evolved and grown, consistently producing the world’s finest teas.