Friday Oct 03, 2025
Friday Oct 03, 2025
Friday, 3 October 2025 01:55 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
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| Telbedde Estate Superintendent Lakkhana Perera (left) receiving the award from Japan Tea Association Managing Director Kohei Akiba |
Telbedde Estate, managed by Balangoda Plantations PLC, has emerged as the Overall Gold Award Winner at the prestigious Ceylon Specialty Estate Tea of the Year 2025.
The award, presented by the Sri Lanka Tea Board in collaboration with the Colombo Tea Traders Association and Colombo Brokers’ Association, celebrates excellence in single-origin Ceylon teas. Telbedde Estate’s Orange Pekoe 1 (OP1) tea stood out from a competitive field, judged for its exceptional quality, unique character and consistency.
This victory reinforces Telbedde’s position as a leading producer of premium Ceylon single-estate teas, recognised globally for its craftsmanship and commitment to sustainable tea production. The winning lot was also featured in a charity auction at the Osaka expo, fetching an impressive ¥ 65,000 (Rs. 133,620) per kilo, which highlights its international appeal and the growing global appreciation for specialty teas from Sri Lanka.
Balangoda Plantations PLC CEO Dimuthu Wekunagoda said, “The prestigious recognition of Telbedde Estate’s premium teas stands as a true moment of pride for our company and our employees. This accolade is expected to further boost demand for Telbedde’s teas among discerning global buyers and inspire continued investment in quality-driven estate production across the region. Such recognition also helps to further elevate the reputation of Pure Ceylon Tea for the highest standards in excellence on the world stage.”
Balangoda Plantations PLC, under the stewardship of Melstacorp PLC and The Stassen Group, has continuously driven quality and innovation across its estates.
