Author: Admin
Celebrating Differences 2024
Over 250 children from our MJF Foundation Centres, from the shores of Weligama and Kalkudah and the vibrant heart of Colombo, came together to showcase their incredible talents and boundless spirit. From dancers with Cerebral Palsy and Down Syndrome to young gymnasts, budding musicians and singers to talented actors and actresses, our children prove that diversity and difference are beautiful, and make us uniquely human. Their determination, courage and unwavering belief in themselves were truly inspiring. As we remember our Founder’s vision, we’re filled with gratitude for the opportunity to make a difference in these young lives, and to Make The World A Better Tea.
Tea and Oral Health
There are many health benefits that are talked about in relation to tea consumption. However, one that is spoken of less frequently is the link between tea and oral health. Let’s take a look at two ways in which tea consumption may be beneficial to reducing tooth decay. Enamel Reinforcement Tea is a source of dietary fluoride, with one cup of tea typically containing between 0.14-0.34 mg of fluoride. As per the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the recommended daily dosage of fluoride is 3mg for adult females, and 4mg for adult males. Now, brace yourself for a bit of biochemistry. The enamel layer of our teeth naturally contains a compound called calcium hydroxyapatite (Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2). When we consume tea, our teeth encounter fluoride ions present in tea, resulting in the formation of a compound called calcium fluorapatite (Ca10(PO4)6F2). This calcium fluorapatite is more resistant to acids than calcium hydroxyapatite, thereby making teeth more resistant to decay. For any science buffs out there, here is the formula for the chemical reaction that takes place: Control of Oral Microbial Population It’s always a good idea to wash a meal down with a cup of green tea – and not just for its digestive benefits. Green tea has been found to have the same effect as chlorhexidine, a compound found in mouthwash liquids. Chlorhexidine helps to control the population of Streptococcus mutans, which is the most common cavity-forming bacteria found in the mouth. Hence, swirling a bit of green tea around your mouth after consumption of food might indeed help to reduce or prevent the incidence of dental cavities in the long run. It is important to note here that these benefits can only be acquired from high-quality tea, produced using only the tender leaves and bud from the shoot. This is how Dilmah Ceylon tea is produced – handpicked, processed and packed in the age-old way, all at source to maintain the freshness and goodness of the tea. In countries where tea leaves are harvested by machine and older leaves are also processed, the resulting lower-quality “brick tea” contains higher-than-ideal levels of fluoride. Excessive fluoride consumption could potentially lead to complications such as dental and skeletal fluorosis.
Kindness at the Heart of our Business
By Shehani Tissera If you are familiar with the Dilmah brand, it is likely you would have heard the phrase, Business is a matter of human service. They were the words of our beloved late Founder Merrill J. Fernando, and he lived by them devotedly. Since the company’s inception in 1985, his vision was never solely one of personal profit. His vision had a much broader remit, deeper meaning, and spanning multiple communities – both human and non-human. From this vision stemmed the two main arms of the company’s kindness projects – the MJF Charitable Foundation and Dilmah Conservation – and each of these branches out to touch many areas of the community and the environment. Far beyond the extent of corporate social responsibility (CSR), these are organisations that have been built around the business to give back to nature and people, subsequently nurturing their own growth, empowerment and contribution. One could even say the company functions as a regenerative business that is just one aspect within a much larger system. Let’s take a look at some of the projects that the MJF Charitable Foundation and Dilmah Conservation work on… In addition to donations and contributions to humanitarian efforts, the MJF Charitable Foundation: – provides training and opportunities for less-privileged youth through the Empower Culinary & Hospitality School, Sri Lanka’s only World Chefs-certified culinary training facility. – facilitates access to education, particularly for marginalised youth and women, through the Curtiss Institute. – inspires, educates and empowers women from under-privileged and marginalised communities to take up entrepreneurship through the Women’s Development Programme which also runs the Swashakthi Bakery and Tea Room at the MJF Centre in Moratuwa. – provides practical education, training and support for children with cerebral palsy and other disorders, as well as for their caretakers, through the Centre for Children with Cerebral Palsy and Other Developmental Disorders. – offers education and therapy for children with cerebral palsy, Down Syndrome and those on the autism spectrum at our Rainbow Centres. – provides educational opportunities for children who need special assistance through the MJF Educational Grants Programme. – ensures that the needs of the tea community, which is a vital part of the Ceylon tea industry, are updated and met. Dilmah Conservation: – works towards establishing sustainability projects through the Climate Change Centre, One Earth organic farming and urban arboretum, and further work in conjunction with Biodiversity Sri Lanka, Beddagana Wetland Park, the Greening Batticaloa initiative, and mangrove restoration projects. – aspires to protect and preserve biodiversity through the One Earth Tree Spa, Amphibian Conservation, Bee a Keeper, species conservation programmes, the Uda Walawe Wildlife Programme, Butterfly Gardens, and the initiative to conserve marine life. – works to spread education and awareness through published material, webinars, workshops. If you would like to learn more about any of these initiatives and programmes, or would like to be a volunteer or contributor, do contact us via https://www.mjffoundation.org/ or https://www.dilmahconservation.org/.
Antioxidants in Tea
Tea has a uniquely high content of flavonoids. What is the significance of this statement? To begin with, let’s take a quick look at what free radicals (FR) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) are. FR and ROS are both unstable molecules that can be damaging when found within the body. They may either be produced naturally – as a by-product of cellular metabolism such as cell respiration, or might enter the body via air pollutants, toxins in food, tobacco smoke, exposure to ionising radiation or heavy metals, etc. Unstable FR and ROS molecules react with stable molecules in the body to stabilise themselves, in turn making the previously stable molecules unstable. The process then continues in a sort of chain reaction. A build-up of FR and ROS could put the body in a state of ‘oxidative stress’ which, over time, could lead to the development of non-communicative diseases (NCDs) such as cancer, stroke and heart disease. Flavonoids function as antioxidants, neutralising unstable FR and ROS molecules and subsequently reducing prolonged oxidative stress and lowering the risk of developing NCDs. This is where the statement ‘Tea has a uniquely high content of flavonoids’ bears significance. The tender shoots of the tea plant are packed with two main types of flavonoids – flavanols (18-32%) and flavonols (3-4%). While the tea manufacturing processes vary for black, green and oolong teas, the flavonoid content in the end products remains significantly higher than in any other food, giving rise to a high antioxidant capacity. Thus, regular consumption of high-quality tea can boost antioxidant activity within the body, helping to improve overall health and reduce the risk of developing NCDs. Comparison of Antioxidant capacity of tea and common vegetables – Figure 4.1 from page 52 of Tea and Your Health by Prof. Tissa Amarakoon
Italian Almond Tea-inspired Recipes
‘Tis the season for celebrating, hosting and gift giving – which usually involves a fair bit of planning and a slight hit on the wallet. So, we thought of sharing three simple but unique beverage recipes that would make the task a little easier as you shine as a host, while using the same base ingredient across the board – Dilmah t-Series Italian Almond Tea. What’s more, you could also share this page with your nearest and dearest while gifting them a beautiful Dilmah t-Series Italian Almond Tea tin caddy. Almond is, after all, a popular flavour of the season! Recipe 1. Almonberry Crème (tea-inspired mocktail) What you need: How to prepare: Recipe 2: Almond Delight (tea-inspired cocktail) What you need: How to prepare: Recipe 3: Shiny Bells & Candles (tea-inspired mocktail) What you need: How to prepare: 1. Pour the brew and remaining five ingredients into pitcher and stir well. 2. Add fresh fruits and refrigerate until it is time to serve. 3. Garnish glass with fresh fruit when serving. Refs for recipes and images: https://www.teainspired.com/dilmah-recipes/tea-infused-recipes/almonberry-creme https://www.teainspired.com/dilmah-recipes/tea-infused-recipes/almond-delight https://www.teainspired.com/dilmah-recipes/tea-infused-recipes/shiny-bells-and-candles
Heartfelt Crafts by Senior Citizens
The ladies of the Sada Sarana Elders Home held their annual Christmas Sale with homemade goodies and treats. Using fresh fruits and vegetables grown in their very own garden, they are proof that age is no barrier to the spirit of entrepreneurship.
The Spirit of Enterprise
Our final People’s Market of 2024 was a festive frenzy! Over 77 vendors showcased seasonal treats, artisanal goods, Christmas décor and more, while 800 shoppers braved the post-cyclonic weather to support the ‘Marketplace for Dreams’!
A ‘Tea Phenomenon’ You Haven’t Heard Of
Learn about the Seasonal Flush by Dilmah, quite simply the most exclusive of all teas, where luxury is crafted by nature The Uva Seasonal Flush was enjoyed by tea planters for over a century, although it was only in 2007 that Dilmah sought to share the rare tea as an expression of the art and pride of teamakers. It was done with the passionate involvement of Dilhan C. Fernando’s father, the late Merrill J. Fernando, Founder of Dilmah. As a tea grower with a commitment to authenticity and a heart of kindness, sharing the taste adventure, natural goodness and ethical purpose in fine tea is important for ethical, family tea company Dilmah’s in a category dominated by traders and commoditisation. There is a story of natural biodiversity and craftsmanship behind every fine tea and the distinctive taste and character in each traditional, orthodox tea that maintains purity of origin are framed in the passion and artisanship that customers around the world value. Grown and harvested only when nature permits, the Dilmah Seasonal Flush elegantly expresses that art and the fingerprint of nature, and it perfectly aligns with the 21st century notion of conscious, natural luxury. Ceylon Tea acquired its desirability as a result of a collective focus on high quality teas made in the traditional, orthodox way, in a country that is blessed with rich, natural biodiversity. It is that which crafts aroma and taste in fine tea. From amongst the seven tea growing regions of Ceylon, teas grown in the remote Uva region were known for their pleasantly mellow character. During the autumnal, southwest monsoon, however, they are transformed for a brief moment – dry and dessicating winds barrel through the mountainous region, causing a natural seasonal, wintergreen character in the teas. This rare and exotic seasonal character expresses the fingerprint of nature in teas that are made with respect to nature – handpicked and handmade in the artisanal, orthodox style. Dilmah first offered the Uva Seasonal Flush in 2007, although a warming climate meant the perfect combination of climatic factors did not happen for the past give years. That makes this Uva Seasonal Flush 2024 particularly special. As Dilhan explained, the Uva Seasonal Flush 2024 presents the fingerprint of nature, offering a rare taste of a tea fashioned by climatic factors that last only a few days. Tea tasters at Dilmah taste over 10,000 teas each week, and over the past 39 years, only 14 Seasonal Flush teas have earned that accolade at Dilmah and presented to the world, the last in 2020. On most occasions, the Seasonal Flush has been cancelled for want of proper weather conditions, and lack of the seasonal personality – this is the emphasis on perfection and respect for nature at Dilmah. This year’s Uva Seasonal Flush will be the 15th. These rare teas, guided by nature, tradition and innovation, embody Dilmah’s commitment to authenticity and excellence – following in the founder’s legacy ‘To Make the World A Better Tea’.