Search This Blog

Pages

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

The Tea Experience- Visit Sri lanka Tea Musium ....



Tea Museum at Hantane, Kandy - A joint project by the Sri Lanka Tea Board and the Planters' Association of Sri Lanka

Location : Built in 1925, the spacious four storied Hantane Tea Factory, had been abondoned for more than a decade when it was earmarked for the Museum Project undertaken by the Sri Lanka Tea Board and the Planters' Association of Ceylon. Today it stands as a proud monument to the success story taht is Ceylon Tea.

Opening Hours : Open on all days, except monday, from: 8.15 a.m. to 4.45 p.m

Introduction: The Hantane tea factory is located three miles from Kandy. It is served by a motorable road that circles the factory providing easy access. Kandy is a mandatory stop on virtually every tourist itinerary, and the location of Ceylon Tea Museum at Hantane makes sound economic sense. It will also enhance the attraction of hill country to visitors. Additionally its proximity to the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens and Loolecondra, where tea was grown commercially, make Hantane the perfect location. The factory building consists of four floors. The ground accommodate heavy machinery; the first floor occupies some examples in the withering process. Library and the Audio-visual presentations in the second floor whilst the sales outlets are found in the third floor. The fourth floor is to be converted to a deluxe restaurant.

Visitor's view through telescope found in the fourth floor.                                                                                                                                 
Although exhibits are not abundant they do provide a valuable insight into how tea was manufactured in the early days. Old machinery, some dating back more than a century, has been lovingly restored to working order. The first exhibit that greets visitors in the Engine Room on the ground floor of the museum is the Ruston and Hornsby developed diesel and other liquid fuel engines, power for the estates were obtained by water driven turbines.

Museum's "Rolling Room" offers a glimpse into the development of manufacturing techniques with its fascinating collection of rollers. Here the showpiece is the manually operated ' Little Giant Tea Roller'.

The first roller-cum-dryer which was believed to have been used by James Tayler

Monday, September 6, 2010

Dubai Tea Trading Centre registers 26 per cent growth in tea trade during first half of 2010


 
* Centre transacts 6.2 million kilos of tea in H1 2010

* Overall tea trade through Dubai rises to 64.2million kilos

* Dubai remains 2nd largest export destination for Indian and Sri Lankan teas



The Dubai Tea Trading Centre (DTTC), an initiative of Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), has announced a record 6.2 million kilos of tea transacted in the first six months of 2010.

The overall tea trade through Dubai for the first six months of the year increased to 64.2 million kilos, an increase of 11.3 per cent from 58 million kilos, primarily due to favourable growing conditions resulting in higher production in most tea producing countries.

With the recent trend of higher production and favourable climatic conditions in the major producing countries, tea prices have been extremely volatile in the past few months. However, the general trend still continues to remain buoyant as carry forward stocks are low and there is good demand.

“Last year, global tea production saw a deficit of nearly 60 million kilos of tea due to drought in major tea-producing countries,” said Ahmed bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman, DMCC. “However, the favourable climatic conditions in the first half of this year have led to an increased tea production by more than 107 million kilos. At DMCC, we remain committed to increasing tea trade through Dubai and strengthening the emirate’s position as a major hub for global tea trade. Through our efforts, we are confident that Dubai will play a pivotal role in the supply chain for the industry.”

Sanjay Sethi, Director, DTTC, said: “Since its inception in 2005, the Centre has grown consistently, with increased transactions and global tea producers, merchant exporters and buyers establishing their base here. As we continue to enhance our services for the trade, we have witnessed an increased demand for our value-added services such as blending, packaging of tea bags as well as loose tea in retail formats, storage facilities and office space for tea companies.”

Dubai remains the second largest export destination for both Indian and Sri Lankan tea. The DTTC presently stocks teas from 13 producing countries, including Kenya, India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Vietnam, Nepal, China and Iran. In keeping with its mandate to further increase the tea trade in and through Dubai, the DTTC also facilitates sales with buyers in the GCC countries, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Libya, Morocco, Pakistan, Afghanistan, UK and the CIS countries and has plans to expand its services to other Middle East and European markets.

Earlier this year, DTTC hosted the 3rd Global Tea Forum in Dubai, capitalising on Dubai’s longstanding position as a global trading hub. The only global event in the region specific to the tea industry, over 360 delegates participated at this event, representing the entire value chain of the tea industry.

Source- www.dubaichronicle.com

Trade News: QTrade Teas & Herbs Awarded Five First Place Winners at North America Tea Championship 2010


World Tea Media has awarded QTrade Teas & Herbs five first place awards from over 200 submissions at the North America Tea Championship - Hot Tea Class. An independent, expert panel of seasoned tea professionals granted top honors to QTrade across a wide range of tea categories and origins.


QTrade's first place finishers included:

Best Ceylon - New Vithanakande Supreme, Sri Lanka
Best Darjeeling - Jungpana 2nd Flush, India (3rd year as Best Darjeeling)
Best Blended White Tea - Organic & Fair Trade Silver Serenity
Best White Tea - Organic & Fair Trade Silver Needle Supreme
Best Pan-Fired Green Tea - Tunxi Green Tea, China



"We're quite pleased the panel selected not only five exceptional teas from QTrade, but that two of the entries originated from Certified Organic and Fair Trade tea gardens," explains Manik Jayakumar, President, QTrade. He adds, "QTrade continues to work at the forefront of socially responsible, sustainable agricultural methods. Organic Silver Serenity and Organic Silver Needle Supreme finished top in their class, signifying how organic methods can often lead to superior tasting teas."

"We wish to commend QTrade on their continued participation and success in these tasting competitions," exclaims Ronald Eng, President, Kopius Teas. "If you look at the thirteen first place awards and the twenty-eight total awards from the past three years, it's clear that QTrade not only has the global network to acquire some of the world's finest teas, but that they also have the expertise to consistently identify best-in-class entrants."

About QTrade Teas

QTrade Teas & Herbs (www.qtradeteas.com) is a direct from source importer of quality ingredients serving the middle to upper tier food and beverage industries for over fifteen years. QTrade is the largest importer of organic teas in the United States, and also offers a growing selection of organic herbs, spices, fruits and flowers. Augmenting the products is a complementary set of custom formulation, blending, and private label services.

About Kopius Teas

Kopius Teas (www.kopiusteas.com) specializes in providing premium teas, herbs, and accessories for the startup to middle tier wholesale markets. The website features a broad selection of over 400 teas and blending ingredients from QTrade Teas & Herbs and is designed for tea merchants, coffee roasters, cafes, and specialty retailers.

SOURCE QTrade Teas & Herbs; Kopius Teas