Organic Ceylon Black Tea

Koslande Estate - Organic Ceylon Black Tea

Koslande is one of the estates that we use in this Ceylon organic tea. In Sri Lanka terms it is a medium sized tea estate covering 160 hectares (406 acres). It is situated in the Haputale Mountain Range in the region of Uva. Uva and Nuwara Eliya are Sri Lanka’s highest elevation tea growing regions and are world renown for some of the finest teas in the world – especially when they are at their seasonal best (in Koslande’s case this is August). 

The total annual crop (all leaf grades) is only 100 Tonnes of tea (this is enough to make about 4,000,000 cups of tea). Following are some statistics about the estate: 

Number of Workers: 574 Number of Tea Bushes: 1, 568,506 

Estate Mgr: Niran Illankone Average Age of Bushes: 75% are older than 75 years 

The estate is covered by 3 different organic certifying bodies – IMO of Switzerland, Organic Farmers and Growers of the UK and Nat. Assoc. of Sustainable Agriculture of Australia. 

In addition to being organic certified, Koslande is also a member of the Fair Trade Organization and has been a member since 1996. As of 2004 the Fair Trade organization has re-invested USD $15,500.00 into projects that directly benefit the workers. Some of the initiatives are: Providing 20 Propane stoves and 20 sewing machines to workers. The propane stoves had an immediate benefit to the 20 families which received these ‘cookers’ in that they did not have to go out and search for firewood. The sewing machines were part of a program to encourage the workers to earn additional income. During August of 2004 another 60 sewing machines are to be distributed to another 60 workers. Other projects that are being planned: New Latrines for 85 families, new roofs for 42 workers homes and upgrading two day care centers.