Finlays savours green tea taste success

By Devin Jayasundera

In a move to meet rising demand, Finlays Plantations yesterday launched a new line of green tea titled Newburgh Green Tea, produced in its newly-converted factory, mainly for exports to Europe and the Middle East.   

Finlays, one of the oldest tea plantation companies in the country, has 19 tea factories in Sri Lanka. It has been producing green tea since 1993. In its efforts to diversify its product portfolio, the company invested Rs.65 million to convert the Newburgh Tea Factory to produce green tea in order to meet increased demand.

Newburgh Tea factory, situated in Ella, Namunukula Mountains in the Uva Province, specialises in Chinese-style panned green tea. It produces 350 metric tonnes of green tea annually. Newburgh Green Tea is the purest and cleanest green tea available in the market, asserted Finlays Chief Executive Officer Dhayan Madawala.

Finlays produces green tea mainly for buyers who export to Russia, Europe and Morocco, which is the largest importer of green tea. Sri Lanka’s export of green tea has also been increasing correspondingly, with several companies including Dilmah supplying the expanding trend.

Finlays has been awarded the ISO 22000 certificate and it was the first company to achieve Rain Forest Reliance Recognition due to its eco-friendly manufacturing process and organic products.

Green tea, which is mainly consumed in East Asia, is making inroads into the rest of the world in the light of increasing health consciousness. Its popularity is increasing in Europe and Middle Eastern markets due to its health benefits.

Green tea provides antioxidants which enhance the immune system, lowers the risk of cancer and helps prevent cardiovascular diseases.