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Amba Estate
Artisan Tea Collection
Discover the Unique Flavors of Handcrafted Tea at AMBA Estate
Experience the Taste of Sustainable and Socially Responsible Tea Production, with a Traceable and Transparent System
AMBA Estate is a micro-scale tea factory nestled in the beautiful Uva mountains of Sri Lanka, where the tea plants are 110 years old and cross-pollinated, producing unique and delicious flavors. Our teas are handcrafted by our team of skilled tea pickers and tea crafters, who take pride in their work and ensure the highest quality. At AMBA Estate, we believe in fair wages, fair prices and fair treatment for our workers and our customers.
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AMBA Estate: Crafting Artisanal Teas in the Heart of Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is widely known for producing some of the world’s finest teas. Among the many tea estates in Sri Lanka, AMBA Estate stands out as a unique and special place that produces handcrafted, artisanal teas in the heart of Sri Lanka. The estate is located above the picturesque Ravana Waterfall, in a very remote and rural area. The 110-year-old plantation spans 30-40 acres of tea land and is dedicated to producing high-quality teas that are unlike any other in Sri Lanka.
When you visit AMBA, you’ll notice that the tea pickers are not referred to as “tea pickers” but as “tea crafters.” This is because at AMBA, the workers are not just responsible for picking the leaves, but also for processing and quality control. The ladies you’ll see in the factory are rolling the leaves by hand and producing their own batch of tea. This gives them a sense of ownership and pride in the final product. The teas produced at AMBA are not only unique and delicious, but they also have a personal touch that is evident in every sip.
One of the most unique teas that AMBA produces is Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe. This black tea is made using beautiful tea flowers, which gives it a more floral and sweeter flavour. The tea flowers are hand-picked by the ladies and mixed with the handmade black tea to create this special blend.
Traceability System
But what sets AMBA apart even further is its traceability system. Once the ladies pick the tea leaves, they analyze the quality and fill in data, including the batch number, room temperature, humidity, date, and individual picking quantities. This data is recorded and used to track the production process from leaf picking to final tea batch. This means that if there is something unique or new about the flavor of the tea, the tea tasters can easily trace it back to the production information. This ensures that the teas produced at AMBA are of the highest quality, and that customers can be sure of their origin and authenticity.
Social Enterprise
AMBA is also a social enterprise, which means that the workers are well looked after. They have no daily tea-picking targets, and instead, receive monthly base salaries. They also receive bonuses and share 10% of the farm’s income. This means that the workers have a sense of ownership in the factory, and if they work hard and pick more, they earn more. This creates a positive work environment, in which the workers are motivated to produce the best teas possible.
Conclusion
In conclusion, AMBA Estate is a unique and special place that produces handcrafted, artisanal teas in the heart of Sri Lanka. The emphasis on traceability, worker well-being, and the use of tea flowers to create unique blends sets it apart from other tea factories in the country. If you’re a tea lover, AMBA Estate is a must-visit destination. You’ll be able to taste the difference in the teas produced there and understand the care and passion that goes into every leaf picked, every tea crafted.
The Secret to AMBA Estate's Unique Tea Flavors: 110-Year-Old Tea Plants
When it comes to producing high-quality tea, the age of the tea plants plays a crucial role. At AMBA Estate, we are proud to say that our tea plants are 110 years old and 90% of them belong to colonial times. For almost 60 years, this plantation was abandoned, but when it was rediscovered, it was found to be home to some of the most unique and flavourful tea plants in Sri Lanka.
The British were the ones who brought tea to Sri Lanka from India, and they brought with them Camellia Sinensis and Camellia Assamica varieties. Over time, these plants cross-pollinated, resulting in natural, cross-pollinated, and original varieties that are now found in AMBA Estate. These plants are incredibly unique in terms of flavour and are unlike the cloned varieties used by modern tea research institutes and plantations.
The unique flavor profiles of our teas can be attributed to the age and natural origins of our tea plants. The older the plants, the more complex the flavours they produce. At AMBA Estate, we believe in preserving these original varieties and ensuring that our teas are made from the highest quality ingredients.
It’s worth noting that the tea plants at AMBA Estate are not only unique in terms of flavor, but also in terms of their resilience and adaptability. These plants have been able to survive for over a century in one of the most remote and challenging environments in Sri Lanka, and it’s a testament to their strength and hardiness.
AMBA Estate: A Haven for Vegetarians
At AMBA Estate, we are committed to producing high-quality products that are not only delicious but also healthy and beneficial. We are proud to say that we are a totally vegetarian place, and we don’t use any meat or fish in any of our products.
We believe in making the most of what we can grow on our estate. So we use our fruits to make jams and marmalades, and our vegetables to enrich our cooking. We make papaya passion fruit jam, mango ginger jam, and three fruit marmalade, all made from fruits grown on our estate. We also use our own vegetables in our cooking to ensure that it is always fresh and flavourful.
We follow an organic system and we have 30 cows who help us with organic compost. By using our own fruits and vegetables, and by following an organic system, we are able to ensure that the products we produce are of the highest quality, freshness and are always good for you.
Visiting AMBA Estate is a great opportunity to taste the delicious and healthy products that we produce. From our artisanal teas to our jams, marmalades, and herbal infusions, we have something for everyone. Whether you’re a vegetarian, or just looking for healthy and delicious options, AMBA Estate has something to offer.
AMBA Estate’s Unique and Sustainable Packaging
Amba Estate purchase hand-loomed bags from local village ladies to pack our teas in. Not only does this help the local community, but it also makes our teas stand out with their unique and colorful packaging.
The hand-loomed bags we use are made by local village ladies and are a traditional Sri Lankan craft. These bags are not only beautiful but also sustainable and eco-friendly. They are made from natural fibers and are biodegradable, reducing the impact on the environment. And all of the income from the sales of these bags goes directly to the ladies who make them, helping to support their livelihoods.
When you purchase a gift pack of tea from AMBA Estate, not only are you getting a delicious and high-quality product, but you are also supporting the local community. By buying our products, you are helping to preserve traditional crafts and support local village ladies.
At AMBA Estate, we believe in creating a sustainable future and giving back to the local community. Our packaging is not only unique and beautiful but also supports the local community and helps to preserve traditional Sri Lankan crafts. It’s a win-win for everyone.
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FAQ
AMBA Estate’s teas are unique because of the age and natural origins of our tea plants. Our tea plants are 110 years old and 90% of them belong to colonial times, producing unique and flavorful teas.
AMBA Estate produces hand-rolled black teas, green teas, white teas, and oolong teas.
At AMBA Estate, our teas are handcrafted. Our tea pickers, or tea crafters, pick the best quality tea leaf and roll it by hand. This produces a range of specialized artisanal teas.
At AMBA Estate, once the tea leaf is picked, the tea crafters analyze the quality of the tea leaf and fill in data with a batch number, room temperature, humidity, date, and individual picking quantities. This allows us to easily trace the flavor and production information.
At AMBA Estate, the tea pickers are treated as tea producers and are paid a monthly base salary and bonuses based on their work. They also share 10% of the farm income, becoming tea owners.
Yes, AMBA Estate also produces lemongrass, butterfly pea flowers, spices, fruits, and vegetables. These are used to create a range of flavourful teas, jams, marmalades, and herbal infusions.
Yes, AMBA Estate is a totally vegetarian place and does not use any meat or fish in any of its products.
AMBA Estate supports the local community by using fruits and excess vegetables grown by local villagers in our products and by purchasing hand-loomed bags made by local village ladies to pack our teas in. This helps to support traditional Sri Lankan crafts and the livelihoods of local village ladies.
Yes, the hand-loomed bags used at AMBA Estate are eco-friendly and biodegradable. They are made from natural fibers and help to preserve traditional Sri Lankan crafts while also reducing the impact on the environment.
Yes, at AMBA Estate, we use the best quality tea leaves and carefully trace and control the production process to ensure that our teas are of the highest quality and flavour.
