Lumbini to produce more white tea in future

Text and pix by P.D. DE SILVA 

The management of one of Sri Lanka’s eco friendly low country tea plantations ‘Lumbini Tea Estate’ situated in Pallegama Deniyaya has decided to grow more China Tea (TRI 2043) to increase its annual production of the highly priced and rare Lumbini Gold Tips and Lumbini Silver Tips teas.

The 93-acre Lumbini Tea Estate and Lumbini Tea Factory is situated at an elevation of 450 metres above mean sea level in close proximity to the Sinharaja Forest Reserve and produces around 400 kilos of gold and silver tip teas in addition to the 600,000 kilograms of orthodox black teas produced each year. Lumbini gold tip tea fetches around Rs. 30,000 per kilogram while Lumbini Silver Tips fetch around Rs. 20,000 per kilogram. 

The Gold Tips and Silver Tips varieties of tea also known as white tea (Camelia sinsis) are known to contain antioxidants which help prevent cancer, high blood pressure, cholesterol and ageing. White Teas are also known to have anti bacterial and anti viral properties and helps to strengthen teeth and gums.

The Lumbini Golden Tips tea could be described as a golden brew with a tender flavour and smooth aroma while the Silver Tips is said to have a very light taste and is extremely delicate and smooth on the pallet. 

The gold and silver tips are the handpicked tender tea buds of the tea leaf of the TRI 2043 variety which are withered and air dried or sun dried to produce these exquisite white teas.

“We believe in producing quality teas with the best combination of flavour, aroma and appearance under ISO 22000:2005 certified super hygienic conditions,” said Lumbini Tea Factory and Lumbini Tea Estate CEO and Managing Director Chaminda Jayawardena.