History
From a single plant to a global icon
Ceylon tea began as an experiment and became the identity of an island. Here are the moments that built it.
The timeline
Key moments
When coffee blight swept the island's plantations in the 1860s, planters turned to tea — and a Scottish pioneer named James Taylor proved it could be done. Within decades, "Ceylon" became a byword for quality tea the world over.
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1824
The first tea plant arrives
The first tea plant is brought to Ceylon from China and planted in the Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya — a curiosity, long before tea became an industry.
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1867
James Taylor plants Loolecondera
Scottish planter James Taylor establishes the first commercial tea on a 19-acre plot at Loolecondera estate using Assam seed, laying the foundation of Ceylon tea.
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1872
The first tea factory
Taylor builds the island's first fully equipped tea factory at Loolecondera, pioneering the orthodox manufacture still prized today.
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1890
Ceylon tea conquers the world
Exports surge to around 22,900 tonnes as Ceylon tea wins global renown for its bright, distinctive character.
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Today
A world tea power
Sri Lanka stands among the world's largest tea producers and exporters — and Pure Ceylon Tea, sealed with the Lion Logo, remains a global mark of quality.
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