Miss Universe China 2014 finalists savour Ceylon Tea

Tuesday, 2 September 2014 01:52 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The world-renowned Miss Universe China 2014 beauties visiting Sri Lanka travelled around the country and witnessed its scenic beauty thanks to Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, the organiser of their pre-pageant tour. These beauty pageant participants hailing from the country which discovered this miracle beverage experienced the world’s finest Ceylon Tea during their stay in Sri Lanka. A Ceylon Tea ceremony was held for them at Cinnamon Bay on 30 August. The Sri Lanka Tea Board launched a brand new concept, namely a unique tea ‘ceremony’ for Ceylon Tea. While it is true that ancient cultures such as China and Japan have within their traditions a near-sacred ceremonial event with especial manners and customs in brewing and serving tea among distinguished visitors.

The Ceylon Tea ceremony, performed by Chandana Wickramasinghe’s Dancers’ Guild, served finely-brewed Ceylon Tea with Sri Lankan traditional food items of sweets and savouries. Cinnamon Bay provided its culinary expertise to supply a customised menu for the Ceylon Tea ceremony. The Ceylon Tea ceremony conceptualised the experience as being in the ‘Court of the Kandyan Kingdom’ of King Narendra Singha of the early 18th century AD. The ‘King’ in costumed regalia, welcomed his noble audience of visitors and summoned the ladies of the court to proceed with serving the guests the finest refreshments. This event was done in a stylish manner with graceful movement and erythematic emphasis which is called ‘Prasasthi’. The special food service was ceremonially presented at the Ceylon Tea ceremony which consisted of traditional Sri Lankan bibikan, honey coconut stuffed lavariya, lentil wade savoury coconut chutney, Ceylon Tea bread with smoked salmon and curry leaves enriched baked patties filled with kohila in a simple white platter covered in a banana leaf. Then a fine brew of Dimbulla tea was poured and served from beautiful porcelain pots into porcelain cups. Specially designed dockets with a leaflet on the seven agro climatic growing regions of Ceylon Tea and graphic instructions on how to brew a perfect cup of Ceylon Tea, health benefits of ceylon tea, tea tips and seven regional tea punches in the Chinese language were distributed among the guests during the ceremony. The Sri Lanka Tea Board’s objective of introducing a Ceylon Tea ceremony which depicts the Sri Lanka culture is to bring respect, glamour and dignity to the brand and to the practice of tea consumption. Then the Chinese beauties visited Ceylon Tea Moments on Sunday, 31 August. Miss China and the media team visited Ceylon Tea Moments, the first-ever Ceylon Tea House in Sri Lanka at the Race Course Building, Colombo 7. Ceylon Tea Moments with its culinary expertise hosted a special tea cocktail for the Chinese guests and providing photo opportunities in a pure tea atmosphere. A specially crafted handmade tea gift in a presentation box was presented to all the contestants. The Ceylon Tea ceremony is a regular feature at Ceylon Tea Moments and tourists will be able to experience this event, which will give a unique experience of Sri Lanka’s tea culture and indirectly help uplift the image of Ceylon Tea in the world.