The Story of Ceylon Tea

James Taylor arrived in Ceylon in 1852 and settled at the Lulekondra Estate in Kalaha. In 1867, he planted 19 acres of tea bushes at Lulekondra Estate, thus laying the foundation for what would become Sri Lanka's largest export industry for more than a century.

 

In 1872, a fully equipped tea factory began operating at Lulekondra Estate.

 

In 1873, 23 pounds of tea produced by James Taylor arrived in London, marking the international debut of Ceylon tea.