Ceylon Breakfast

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The Essence of Lumbini

Grown at 450 metres above sea level, the Lumbini Tea Valley thrives in a rare microclimate. Surrounded by Sri Lanka’s only virgin rainforest, Sinharaja, the estate is swept by cooling southern coastal breezes and nourished by unspoiled natural resources.

Lumbini aims to deliver the purest single-origin tea to tea lovers around the world through sustainable agriculture, adhering to three core values: quality, uniqueness, and innovation. Their exceptional character comes down to five distinct pillars:

• Our Location: Bordering the pristine Sinharaja Rainforest, the estate benefits from fresh resources and cooling coastal winds.

• Century-Old Hand Plucking: The estate preserves traditional hand-plucking techniques that protect leaf quality and ensure careful selection.

• Unique Craftsmanship: Generations of knowledge and skill shape teas with distinctive character, aroma, and depth.

• The "Two Leaves and a Bud" Philosophy: Harvesting only the youngest two leaves and the bud is vital for optimum flavor. This method preserves naturally occurring wellness compounds—including flavonoids, polyphenols, catechins, L-theanine, and minerals—while remaining naturally zero sugar and zero calories.

• Signature Floral Honey Taste: Grown in pure, untouched nature, the clean winds flowing through the rainforest infuse the tea with a smooth, naturally sweet floral honey flavor that makes every sip special.

A Legacy of Craft

The story of Lumbini began in 1975 when founder Dayapala Jayawardana planted his first tea field in the valley. His vision was to create a great-tasting tea that reflected the true, untainted character of the leaves and the land in which they were grown.

Lumbini Timeline:

• 1975: The First Planting – Dayapala Jayawardana plants his first tea field in the valley of Lumbini.

• 1984: Factory Construction – A dedicated factory is built to produce authentic black tea, laying the foundation for the brand.

• 2000: The Next Generation – Chaminda joins his father’s business, continuing the family legacy.

• 2005: A Shift in Practices – The Dalu brand is created, and the estate officially stops the use of all weedicides and pesticides.

• 2006: Global Reach – Lumbini makes its first direct export as a grower and producer. Today, they export directly to more than 25 countries.

• 2016: The Giri Brand – Partnership with Harris and the creation of the Giri brand; early conversion to organic farming begins.

• 2018: Going Organic – Formal organic farming begins as a pilot project in the Kale plot.

• 2020: Full Estate Conversion – The organic program extends to the 2A plot, eventually converting the entire Lumbini Tea Estate to organic practices.

Deep Roots, Sustainable Future

A great cup of tea shouldn't cost the earth. Lumbini doesn't just practice sustainable agriculture; they are actively regenerating their ecosystem alongside a thriving residential community of 140 workers and 50 families.

Today, the estate operates 250 acres of organic land producing 5,000 kg per month, supported by a network of 60 certified organic farmers. Their conventional footprint (3,000 acres) is also undergoing a massive transformation.

Following their organic success, Lumbini embarked on Regenagri certification for all 1,800 farmers in their extended network. Today, they are recognized as the world’s No. 1 farmer group certified under Regenagri. Their climate-positive agricultural commitments include:

• Increasing forest area.

• Avoiding soil scraping.

• Eliminating ozone-depleting chemicals, herbicides, and pesticides.

It is no surprise that this dedication has earned Lumbini 42 awards worldwide, alongside a 4-star rating from the Sri Lanka Tea Board and certifications from the Rainforest Alliance, Fairtrade, and the Ethical Tea Partnership.