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

 

       

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

Mackwoods Childrens Competition at the Jaffna International Trade Fair

Mackwoods Childrens Competition at the Jaffna International Trade Fair

 

 

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.

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.

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.

 

 

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

 

 

Donation of an Ambulance to the Frotoft Estate community

Donation of an Ambulance for the healthcare of the Frotoft Estate Community

 

 

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

 

 

Holistic Early Childhood Care & Development Programme

Holistic Early Childhood Care & Development Programme organised at Mackwoods Labookellie Estate.

 

 

Science seminar for University & Research Scientists at Taprospa.

Science seminar for University & Research Scientists on "Applications of PCR Gene Technology", at Taprospa "Footprints" Resort.

 

 

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.

 

 

Dr. Chris Nonis opens the Rural I.C.T & English Literacy Centre for Rural Youth on Frotoft Estate

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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.

 

 

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”

 

 

Health programmes at Mackwoods estates

Health education, prevention & screening programme organised by Mackwoods at Kiriwanaketiya estate for the plantation workers

 

 

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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