Normandy Jungle Coffee to hit the market soon

Monday, 2 January 2023 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Normandy Jungle Coffee

Panoramic view from the Normandy Estate

By Randima Attygalle

Kurunegala Plantations Ltd. (KPL) is trialling an organic coffee sourced from the Wijeyapura Division of KPL, commonly known as the Normandy Division which is to hit the market soon. Branded as ‘Normandy Jungle Coffee’, the beans are harvested from more than a century-old coffee trees of the Normandy Estate nestled in the picturesque Rideegama area.

The estate which was once a lush coffee and cocoa plantation was first established by Scottish planters in 1920.

Normandy Jungle Coffee is unique for its flavour and aroma, says KPL CEO Dr. S.M.M. Samarakoon. “When Normandy Estate was taken over by the KPL, the original jungle-nature of the locality was retained as far as possible with minimum clearance, to allow better sunlight for the coffee trees which are more than 100 years old. The geographical positioning of the estate enriched by mountain forest patches, rugged terrain and mini waterfalls which sustain soil fertility, have rendered the coffee a unique taste.”

The coffee which is being harvested from the trees which are grown the natural way within the shade of lush forests is processed at KPL’s state-of-the art factory. “Normandy Jungle Brand is well-roasted for optimum flavour and aroma,” explains Dr. Samarakoon who goes on to note that KPL also purchases coffee beans from home gardens in the area as means of community empowerment.

“The home gardens in the area too possess the identical soil conditions as found in the estate which enable us to process the beans under Normandy brand,” says KPL’s CEO. The product is given research assistance by the Department of Export Agriculture and aspires to explore the possibilities of an export market as well.

Normandy Estate which has a land extent of 135 hectares is also an ideal location for eco-tourism with possible coffee trails.

A vantage point offering a panoramic view of several high peaks, the area is also rich with fauna and flora for the nature lover. Several important sites of historical and archaeological importance such as Ridee Viharaya and Rambadagalla Buddha statue (at the Rambadagalla Monaragala Temple) which is the tallest granite Samadhi Buddha statue in the world, are also accessible from the estate. “All these coupled with a unique blend of coffee could be a viable source of tourism for the country,” added Dr. Samarakoon.