By Hermoine Macura-Noble
Special to The Times Kuwait
Tea is not merely a beverage; it is an art form that embodies tradition, culture, and craftsmanship, involving a process that begins long before the leaves reach your cup.
The art of Tea began around 2732 BC when, according to legend, Emperor Shen Nung discovered Tea when leaves from a tree, fell into his pot of boiling water. He sipped the brew and was instantly enchanted by its delicate flavor and refreshing effect. The Portuguese and Dutch first imported tea in 1610, and tea’s rise in England started when King Charles II married the Portuguese princess Catherine of Braganza.
Americans tasted their first iced tea at the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis, Missouri, where an exhibiting tea merchant, who had planned to give away free hot tea samples to attendees, found himself in a predicament when a heat wave hit. To save his investment, he improvised by adding ice to the brewed tea, thus creating the first iced tea. This accidental innovation was a hit, and today, Americans drink almost 50 billion glasses of iced tea each year, accounting for more than 80% of all tea consumed in the US.
According to experts, the tea making starts in the lush plantations where the tea plant thrives under precise conditions of soil, altitude, and climate. Each stage, from cultivation to packaging, is integral to the art of crafting tea.
High-quality tea demands meticulous care in cultivation which includes the choice of terrain, elevation, and the microclimate which significantly influences the tea’s flavor profile. In Sri Lanka, often called the ‘Isle of Tea,’ the rolling hills of regions like Nuwara Eliya, Uva, and Dimbula provide the perfect conditions for cultivating some of the world’s finest Ceylon teas.
Among the many brands that have upheld and refined this art, Dilmah Tea stands out as a pioneer in combining authenticity with innovation. With its roots in Sri Lanka, Dilmah represents a commitment to quality, sustainability, and the ethical values that define the tea-making tradition. Dilhan Fernando, CEO of Dilmah Tea explains how the aroma, flavour, texture, natural antioxidant and L-theanine goodness in tea are concentrated in the tender shoots where the bud, first and second leaf are rich in flavour and goodness.
“We handpick our teas to ensure that we pick these tender, young shoots and avoid the coarse leaf. Most tea producing countries have mechanized harvesting – a logical evolution given the pressure that every grower has on cost – however we stay true to the tradition of handpicking or handpicking assisted by shears to ensure the quality of our leaf. The harvested leaves are then transported to a factory which is typically on the tea garden, in close proximity to the fields in order to minimise degradation and damage to the freshly picked leaves,” shares Fernando.
Founded in 1988 by Merrill J. Fernando, Dilmah Tea is a testament to a lifelong passion for tea and a vision to uphold its integrity. Merrill’s philosophy, encapsulated in the brand’s motto, “Tea with a Difference,” emphasizes quality, authenticity, and a commitment to giving back to the community.
Dilmah revolutionized the tea industry by introducing single-origin Ceylon tea at a time when blending teas from various regions was the norm. By focusing on purity, Dilmah allows tea lovers to experience the unadulterated flavors of Sri Lankan tea.
“Ceylon tea acquired its reputation as the finest tea on earth partly due to the diversity of taste, linked to the variation in altitude, wind, soil and climatic conditions across the seven most significant tea growing regions in Sri Lanka. Connected with the regulatory environment where the Tea Research Institute and the Tea Board monitor inputs and the quality control process, while also ensuring the traceability of every kilogram of Ceylon tea that is produced and exported, we have a formidable regulatory environment that ensure the quality, safety and authenticity of Ceylon tea,” adds Fernando.
Dilmah is also not just a tea company; it is a family dedicated to ethical business practices that focus on the local community as well. Merrill Fernando’s devotion to the concept of “making business a matter of human service” led to the establishment of the MJF Charitable Foundation which supports education, healthcare, and community development initiatives across Sri Lanka. Thousands of people have benefited from the Fernando family’s kindness, love and compassion which ensures that Dilmah’s success, benefits those who need it most.
“My father’s vision was to make the world a better tea and he embedded at the heart of Dilmah and uncompromising commitment to kindness to people and nature. The sustainable and ethical practices in our business are managed by Dilmah Conservation (environmental) and the MJF Charitable Foundation (humanitarian) these include livelihood enhancement (education), vocational training, scholarships, healthcare, nutrition and entrepreneurship development amongst other initiatives of the MJF Foundation….Dilmah Conservation runs one of the world’s only private sector centres for Climate Change Research and Adaptation, co-operating with universities around the world to understand solutions and help small farmers,” shares Fernando.
While steeped in tradition, Dilmah is unafraid to innovate. The brand has introduced innovative practices and cutting edge technology as well as gourmet teas, tea-inspired gastronomy, and tea mixology, appealing to modern consumers.
“Technology and innovation has made dramatic impact on our post-harvest activity. Where downstream activities are concerned, we have adopted technologies like Hyperspectral imaging for analysis of the condition of tea plants, condition of made tea and Ceylon cinnamon in various stages, as indications of interventions that may be necessary. In packing our tea, there is a significant innovation component where we need to protect the high hygroscopic nature of tea and therefore invest continuously in the best equipment to pack our teas,” adds Fernando.
From its humble beginnings in Sri Lanka, Dilmah has become a global ambassador of Ceylon tea. Its presence in over 100 countries has introduced millions to the rich heritage of Sri Lankan tea culture. With an emphasis on single-origin purity, ethical practices, and innovative offerings, the brand has earned it a loyal following among tea enthusiasts and connoisseurs alikeas a balm to conversation, great relationships, community, and even to offer companionship in solace.
“Tea does that and has done that over the ages…We want to refresh and revitalize, all that at a time when people need the taste,goodness and ethical purpose, that genuinely ethical tea represents, while going beyond to offer the special pleasure in a herb that links with our love for gastronomic experiences,” concludes Fernando.
The art of tea is a testament to its universal appeal and cultural diversity. Whether it’s the mindfulness of a Japanese tea ceremony, the conviviality of an Indian chai break, or the elegance of British afternoon tea, the ways in which people engage with tea reveal much about their values and traditions. In every cup, there’s a story – a connection to nature, to history, and to each other.
By Hermoine Macura-Noble
The first Australian English speaking News Anchor in the Middle East. She is also the Author of Faces of the Middle East and Founder of US-based 501c3 charity – The House of Rest which helps to ease the suffering of victims of war. For more from our Contributing Editor, you can follow her on Instagram, here.
