Sri Lankan tea (known for generations as Ceylon Tea) carries behind it a heritage and success story like no other. The story of Ceylon tea begins over two hundred years ago.

In 1824 a tea plant was brought to Ceylon by the British from China and was planted in the Royal Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya for non-commercial purposes. Further experimental planting of tea had begun in 1839 with tea plants brought from Assam and Calcutta through the East India Company.

Commercial cultivation of tea commenced in Sri Lanka by the Scotsman, James Taylor. Taylor started a fully equipped tea factory in Loolecondera estate in 1872. Soon enough Ceylon tea gained popularity throughout the world and became one of chief exported goods.

Tea plantation became so important in Sri Lanka, that it is depicted on the banknotes of the country. This 100 Srilankan Rupees banknote depicts female workers picking tea leaves with a beautiful landscape on the background a pair of parrots.

Image Courtesy: stevenbron.nl