|
| Cultivation |
|
| Milder breeze, lighter, clearer air and a rolling landscape lend
the gardens of Ceylon a more pleasant mien. |
|
 |
| Most tea estates are located in the south-western part of the
island. The best gardens are, as always, found at the higher altitudes, from three
thousand to eight thousand feet, on the eastern and western slopes of the high
plateaus. Depending on the direction in which they face, the gardens are influenced
by one of two monsoons; on the eastern slopes, the finest tea is plucked from late June to
the end of August, whereas on the western slopes the best harvesting takes place from
February to March. The black teas produced in Ceylon are the preferred teas in
Europe and America. The freshly picked leaves undergo a
long process of transformation, for black tea must be fermented. The fermentation of
tea requires as much care and close, scientifically controlled attention as does the
fermentation of wine. |
|
 |
| Throughout Asia, picking tea is women's work. It has long
been said that only women have the patience and dexterity required for this delicate task. |
|
|
