Events
The Global Ceylon Tea Party
at Mackwoods Tea Cafe - Queen Elizabeth Plaza, Nuwara Eliya
The Global Ceylon Tea Party at Tea Breeze Cafe - Colombo Racecourse
The Global Ceylon Tea Party
at the Mackwoods Tea Cafe - Lighthouse Street, Galle Fort
The Global Ceylon Tea Party
at the Tea Breeze Cafe - Dutch Hospital Building, Galle Fort
Mackwoods Tea in England – Summer 2015
The Mackwoods Labookellie Trophy at the Nuwara-Eliya Horse Races
Celebrating Sinhala and Tamil New Year at Mackwoods Labookellie Tea Center
16 November 2013
HRH Prince Charles Visits Mackwoods Labookellie Tea Estate
Japanese Visitors at Mackwoods Labookellie Tea Center
Mackwoods sponsors the cricket match of
the Moreton Cricket Club, Australia
Mackwoods Tea at Her Majesty the Queen's Birthday Party at Westminster House, Sri Lanka
Visitors at Mackwoods Labookellie Estate
International Travel Guides at Mackwoods Labookellie Estate
Mackwoods Tea Awards Tea Pluckers for their Outstanding Performance and Contribution
Commonwealth Youth Ministers Meeting (CYMM) Team at the Mackwoods Labookellie Tea Center
Mackwoods Tea Presented to Cricketers of England and Sri Lanka, during the 2nd Test match in Kandy
Mackwoods Tea in Japan
Mackwoods Tea in Singapore
Mackwoods Tea in Ireland
Mackwoods Tea in Japan
2009
Mackwoods Tea in Poland
Mackwoods Tea in Germany
Mackwoods Tea in Japan
2008
Mackwoods Tea in France
Mackwoods Tea in United Arab Emirates
Mackwoods Tea in USA
Mackwoods Tea in Thailand
Mackwoods Tea in Japan
2007
Mackwoods Tea in Germany
2007
Mackwoods Tea in Russia
Japanese TV Crew at Mackwoods Labookellie Tea Center
Dr. Chris Nonis presents prizes at the Jaffna International Trade Fair
Presentation of prizes by Dr.Chris Nonis and the Mackwoods Team, Jaffna International
Trade Fair
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Mackwoods Childrens Competition at the Jaffna International Trade Fair
Mackwoods Childrens Competition at the Jaffna International Trade Fair
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DAILY NEWS - by Fathima Razik Cader
Fine Tea Tasting and Opera in Europe
Almost 350 years after tea was first sold in England (i.e. in 1657) an elite gathering
was hosted to an event - the first of it's kind where those present went through
the motions of fine tea tasting and opera, in exclusive venues in London in June
2002.
Along with this unique event was live Opera on hand to entertain the guests on a
warm summer afternoon - and the whole exercise turned out to be an outright success
with encores for more.
Unique is how one could describe such an event - for after all, when have we even
heard of fine tea tasting and an opera going hand in hand? But this is exactly what
happened when Sri Lanka's second oldest company - Mackwoods Ltd. embarked on a mission
to not just promote Sri Lanka tea as a commodity, but also to show the tea drinkers
in the world that tea is a beverage that needs to be truly appreciated and relished
in every sense of the word.
Perhaps it might be appropriate to trace the history of tea, and for a start, a
12th century Japanese belief - "Wherever the tea tree grows, the place, whether
a mountain or valley, is sacred". Sri Lanka in that context should therefore be
considered sacred, on account of the vast areas in the hills and other regions where
tea is grown profusely.
And Shen Nung found that is tasted as glorious, and thus this delectable drink was
launched in the Courts of Cathay and became a firm feature
Also of interest is the fact that the origins of tea could be traced to China and
the North East parts of India. It found its way to Ceylon (as Sri Lanka was then
called) in 1824 from China and 15 years later, in 1839 from Assam (India) and was
grown in the Botanical Gardens in Peradeniya and Nuwara Eliya, respectively, on
an experimental basis.
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However, it took 28 (long) years thereafter, when tea planting on a commercial scale
was undertaken. James Taylor planted tea on Loolecondra Estate in the Hewahata District
with seeds procured from Assam (India). Around the same time, clearings were opened
by the brothers Solomon and Gabriel de Worms at Labookellie Estate in the Ramboda
District with seeds procured from China. The year 1873 saw the first tea export
from Ceylon to London. It contained 23 pounds.
Twenty years later, the exports increased to a staggering 82 million pounds - the
result of prudent expansion of tea planting. Little Sri Lanka, today, can be justifiably
proud of being the leading exporter in the world with the figures for the year 2002
posting nearly 650 million pounds. It naturally follows that, as a result, Colombo
is the largest tea auction centre in the world.
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Our tea industry can therefore be compared to a goldmine. But diversifying in a
manner that is worthy of mention is the second oldest company in Sri Lanka, Mackwoods
Ltd (founded in 1841 by Captain William Mackwood.) N.S.O. Mendis, a visionary and
a renowned entrepreneur in his time, acquired Mackwoods in 1956, and the Chairperson
today is his daughter, Sriyani Nonis. Mackwoods and Ceylon tea have a partnership
that dates back to almost the inception of tea in Ceylon.
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Mackwoods Hosts Children from IDP Centre, Vavuniya, at Mackwoods Labookellie Tea
Centre, Nuwara-Eliya
Mackwoods hosts children from IDP Centre, Vavuniya at Mackwoods Labookellie Tea
Centre, Nuwara-Eliya.
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Dr. Chris Nonis at the Opening of the Noragalla Tea Factory
Dr. Chris Nonis and Mackwoods Team at the opening of the Noragalla Tea Factory and
Rest Room for plantation workers at Noragalla Estate
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Donation of an Ambulance to the Frotoft Estate community
Donation of an Ambulance for the healthcare of the Frotoft Estate Community
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Dr. Chris Nonis at the Opening of Rest Room for Factory Workers at Labookellie Estate
Dr. Chris Nonis and Mackwoods Team at the opening of rest room for factory workers
at Labookellie Estate
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Holistic Early Childhood Care & Development Programme
Holistic Early Childhood Care & Development Programme organised at Mackwoods Labookellie
Estate.
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Science seminar for University & Research Scientists at Taprospa.
Science seminar for University & Research Scientists on "Applications of PCR Gene
Technology", at Taprospa "Footprints" Resort.
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Dr. Chris Nonis opens the Rural I.C.T Training Centre for Rural Youth on Niriella
Estate
Opening of the “Rural ICT Training Centre” for estate youth, in partnership
with Mackwoods Infotec and the Mackwoods Research Foundation on Niriella Estate.
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Dr. Chris Nonis opens the Rural I.C.T & English Literacy Centre for Rural Youth
on Frotoft Estate
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PRESS PLAY TO VIEW VIDEO
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Dr. Chris Nonis addresses the parents and children at the opening of the "ICT &
English Literacy Centre" in Frotoft Estate, Nuwaraeliya in partnership with Mackwoods
Infotec, Mackwoods I.T and the Mackwoods Research Foundation on Frotoft Estate.
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H.E. Dato Rosil Ismail, Malaysian High Commissioner Providing Gifts to the Underpriviledge
Children at Taprospa "Footprints" Resort
H.E. Dato Rosli Ismail, Malaysian High Commissioner providing gifts to the underprivileged
children from Bethlehem Creche, Wanathamulla, at Taprospa ‘Footprints”
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Health programmes at Mackwoods estates
Health education, prevention & screening programme organised by Mackwoods at Kiriwanaketiya
estate for the plantation workers
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Celebrating World Womens' Day at Labookellie Estate
Mackwoods Tea at Buckingham Palace

The name Mackwoods is synonymous with high quality Ceylon tea, as the company has
been associated with tea almost since its inception.
Jonathan Swift said that “Tea is water bewitched.” This describes the
refreshing flavour of Mackwoods Labookellie tea centre, surrounded by the lush green
tea plantations of Labookellie estate enroute to Nuwara-Eliya. This is a warm and
welcome sight for many a traveler, both local and international. Over the years,
the Mackwoods Labookellie tea centre has refreshed and rejuvenated the young and
old from across the globe, with its freshly brewed ‘cuppa’ and its mouth-watering
chocolate cake.
Visitors are given an invaluable insight in to the process by which the ‘two
leaves and bud’ so deftly plucked by nimble tea pluckers are transformed into
the aromatic tea which is served at this center.
The Mackwoods Tea marquee at the world tea Party, hosted by the Horniman Museum
in London famed for its association with the tea trade. Provided the opportunity
for many to enjoy the special flavour of Mackwoods tea marquee offered visitors
a delectable rang of Ceylon teas including flavoured teas such as chamomile and
mint. Different grades of single estate Labookellie tea to satisfy all plates. As
well as special blends such as the unique Mackwoods 160th anniversary blend for
the discerning tea connoisseur.
Mackwoods directors were accorded the unique privilege of presenting the Mackwoods
‘Queens Golden Jubilee Blend’ at Buckingham Palace, London. This connoisseur’s
blend, which carried the official Golden Jubilee Logo, was specially created to
commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Throughout its philosophy of commitment to quality. Mackwoods established in 1841.
Continues this tradition of excellence in Ceylon tea internationally.
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