Tea Journey writer, Diana Jendoubi, spent a year exploring Sri Lanka’s remarkable tea regions and shares her tales of the most extraordinary experiences, unforgettable stays, inspiring people, and delicious cups of tea through the country.
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Tea Tourism
Tea in Ecuador: From the Amazon Rainforest to the World
Explore the unique tea in Ecuador from Hacienda Sangay, the only tea farm located in the Amazon rainforest, producing premium black tea, rooted in culture and sustainability
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Peekoh Tea and Smoke and Bitters: Raising the Bar
Peekoh Tea founders Trevin de Silva and Vinod Malwatte felt that not enough high-quality Sri Lankan tea was being showcased to local consumers. “We wanted to focus on loose-leaf tea and slowing down. It would enable us to introduce Sri Lankans to the ritualistic side of tea drinking. where it takes time to brew a cup of tea,” says Vinod.
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Journeying on the Darjeeling Train
In 1881 when it was completed, the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway was the only option to commute. Anyone who missed the train boarded a bullock cart on a much longer journey. There was no concept of a “Toy Train” back then. In the decades since it was constructed the commuter railway with its 55 miles of zig-zags and loops has established itself as a tourist attraction. It was a welcome change for those who prefer a closer look at the Hills instead of just check-boxing! Among those who came were authors, filmmakers, poets, scholars, and artists. When the Buddhist monks traveled on regular passenger trains, they also had opportunities to interact with residents, which brought them closer to the realities of daily life at the hills.
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Arkasa Tea Room
With every delicious sip and satisfying bite, the Araksa Tea Room in Bangkok is revolutionizing Thai tea culture. Araksa means “to preserve” and both the tea garden and restaurant promote Thai traditions while simultaneously elevating the way tea and food are produced and consumed.
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Anything for Tea: Budget Backpacking in Nilgiris
Travelling through the Nilgiris on a comfortable budget, Anesce Dremen finds that it costs little to make real connections, have real conversations. As she allows her journey through the Nilgiris to unfold at will, she finds herself immersed in memorable encounters and experiences. Told with honesty, written vividly, it’s a view of the Nilgiris not often seen. (Itinerary and costs included)
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Destinations: India
India’s remarkably diverse tea lands are the perfect destination for holiday vacationers. The cool hill stations in the Nilgiris in South India, the gentle slopes of Assam, and the rugged, picturesque gardens of North India each offer a unique tea culture and cuisine.
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Sinna Dorais Bungalows Balance Comfort and Old World Charm
If you drive 250 kilometers west of Bangalore, India, you reach Sakleshpur, where the coffee country begins. And sitting here amongst the coffee estates is a tea garden called Kadamane. And that itself seemed reason enough to book a stay.
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On a Chai Trail – The Parsi Choi
Parsis call tea choi, not chai, cha, or tea, but choi. Choi was never, ever consumed on its own. There were always Bhakras, the soft cookies made with dough fermented using palm toddy, or chaapat, a flat, mildly sweet pancake. For special occasions, ghaari – thick dough discs filled with a mixture of bananas cooked in ghee, dates cooked till gooey, or a sweet dal paste were served.
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Teahouse Treks: Of Himalayan Hospitality and Tranquility
The aroma of sweet tea wafts through the air, that weary trekkers like us respond eagerly to. Over the years, I have taken to stopping by the teahouses on my treks, even if for a brief pause.
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Cocooned in Darjeeling: The Mayfair Manor, Jungpana
Stay in a restored bungalow originally built in 1910 and once the residence of the Nepali royal family. It offers 12 exquisitely decorated and spacious suites, each named for an historical figure attached to the estate.
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The Indulgence of Tea Bungalows
Experience a holiday in the tea gardens and hotels near Darjeeling where lodging is an indulgence, with old-world charm and gorgeous vistas.
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Authentic and Sustainable Tea Tourism
Consumers who experience the origin, terroir, and processing of the leaves in the cup can engage more deeply by visiting tea-growing regions to learn about tea. Visiting origin forever alters one’s relationship to tea. But before delving into the myriad tour options it is important to reflect on how our actions may impact others. Namely, while simultaneously seeking an authentic, hands-on tea tour, one must also consider which programs are sustainable and respectfully engage the host culture(s).
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A Tale of Two Kathmandu Tea Shops
Bhairab Risal, a veteran journalist with a sharp memory at 94, speaks with ease and zeal of his memories of the early days of Kathmandu’s tea culture. In 1948, at the age of 20, he recalled his first cup of tea at Tilauri Mailako Pasal, one of Kathmandu’s earliest and best-known tea shops. In this article, Kathmandu journalist Prawash Gautam shares tales of two storied tea houses.
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Nepal’s Specialty Tea Evolution
The Barbote tea farm is nestled in the steep hills of Ilam, Nepal. It was planted by Narendra Kumar Gurung’s grandfather and tended by his father. Narendra spent most of his working years with the Japan International Cooperation Agency. Like most of Nepal’s new-generation farmers, specialty tea is a new endeavor built on a century-old foundation of commodity production.
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Rural Entrepreneurs Establish Nepal’s National Brand
Nepal’s eastern tea-growing region leads the country’s tea trade, but the landscape is changing as rural entrepreneurs expand the tea terroir. Upcoming tea brands are establishing Nepal Tea as a global brand offering premium differentiated products with a compelling story that is authentic and modern.
Read MoreSustainable Tourism: Pinglin, Taiwan
Wow Taiwan provides half-day and day-long tours and experiential learning trips in villages across northern Taiwan. They offer several Slow Tea Tours, notably the Tea Master Tour as well as the Tea Mountains Culture Tour both in Pinglin Taiwan’s first eco-village.
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Sustainable Tourism: Higashi Sonogi, Japan
Green Tea Homestay is managed by Nakayama Hisatsugu. The tea factory has been operated for over 70 years by the Nakayama family who is committed to environmentally friendly practices across agricultural cultivations. They initiated an outreach program in eco-tourism in 2014.
Read MoreSustainable Tourism: Makaibari Tea Estate
Tea fields at Makaibari Tea Estate, West Bengal, India Makaibari Sustainable Tourism: West Bengal, India The Makaibari Tea Estate is among one of the most well-known tea estates across the world. Their internationally prize-winning teas are highly appraised, and many stakeholders are none other than legends within the tea world. […]
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