Author: Kavindiya Silva
Championing Taste, Kindness & a Bright Future for Tea
Dilmah Tea, the world’s first producer-owned tea brand, marked its 40th anniversary with a transformative tour across Australia and New Zealand in June and July 2025 as part of a series of events. More than a celebration, the tour reaffirmed Dilmah’s commitment to ‘Making the World a Better Tea’ — through taste, goodness and kindness. Led by Chairman and second-generation tea grower Dilhan C. Fernando, alongside his son Amrit Fernando, the tour honoured the legacy of founder Merrill J. Fernando while spotlighting the future of tea — one rooted in craftsmanship, innovation and purpose. “My father built our family tea business around a heart of kindness, and a foundation of Quality and Integrity,” explained Dilhan. “We are small relative to the global corporations in the tea category – a family business – but our strength is in our commitment to Taste, Goodness and Purpose. Lacking the large budgets of other brands in the tea category, it has always been our customers who embraced our passion and made Dilmah the brand that it is. Thank you Australia, for giving my father a chance, and thank you to every customer and friend around the world for choosing Dilmah.” Over the course of the tour, we connected with thousands of tea lovers, chefs, students, and food service professionals at sold-out masterclasses, industry forums, and consumer events, including the Good Food & Wine Show and Fine Food Australia. From tea-inspired cocktails and gourmet food pairings to health-focused sessions on the natural goodness of tea, the events reflected a clear insight: tea is evolving, and conscious consumers are embracing it. Highlights from the tour: Throughout the tour, Dilhan reinforced the belief that tea is more than just a beverage — it’s a medium for making an impact. Our founder pledged to commit a minimum of 15% of pre-tax profits to humanitarian and environmental initiatives through the MJF Charitable Foundation and Dilmah Conservation, and this remains central to our mission. As the tea industry continues to commoditise with lesser quality and prices, our experience in Australia and New Zealand reveals a contrasting trend – consumers are actively seeking quality, authenticity, and ethical choices. Our team at Dilmah is ready to make a stand with you — a promise to continue making a stand for Quality, Integrity and Kindness. To learn more about the Australia and New Zealand tours, click here.
Dilmah Night & Talent Show 2025
Sahan Pannilage, Assistant Manager – HR at Dilmah Tea, shares his experience of ‘Dilmah Night’, a wonderful celebratory evening at the Dilmah Head Office. At Dilmah, every milestone is more than a marker of success, it is a moment to celebrate the incredible people who make our journey possible. This year, as we proudly celebrate 40 years of crafting tea with kindness and purpose, we brought together over 900 office colleagues and factory associates for a special evening that will be etched in our memories: Dilmah Night & Talent Show 2025. Held in Sri Lanka in May 2025, the event was a perfect blend of fun, relaxation and celebration. The night kicked off with a vibrant talent show, where our colleagues took the stage to showcase their hidden talents, from singing to dancing, reminding us all of the diverse abilities within our team. We also took a moment to honour the exceptional individuals who have gone above and beyond in their service to Dilmah. Recognising these milestones and achievements wasn’t just a formality, it was a heartfelt expression of gratitude to those who have played a pivotal role in shaping our story. The evening continued with a lively musical show that brought energy and excitement to the gathering. The sounds of music, the laughter, and the camaraderie made it clear that this was more than a celebration, it was a family reunion of Team Dilmah. Another highlight of the evening was the grand buffet, which offered an incredible spread of dishes that catered to all tastes. Accompanied by a selection of beverages, the feast became a shared experience of joy and connection. The event embodied the spirit of Dilmah, celebrating not just our achievements but the people behind them. It was a reminder of the power of togetherness and the culture of care that defines who we are. As we look back at this incredible night, we are filled with gratitude for the journey so far and excitement for what lies ahead. Here’s to the next 40 years of Making The World A Better Tea, making memories, and making a difference, together as one Team!
Natural Luxury Meets Incredible Creativity
In the heart of Shanghai at the JW Marriott Hotel Fengxian, something extraordinary brewed, quite literally. The Dilmah & Marriott International Natural Luxury Sommelier Challenge – China Edition wasn’t just another culinary competition; it was a celebration of craftsmanship, culture and conscious luxury, all brewed in the essence of fine Ceylon Tea. What made this edition even more special was the symbolism of its setting. Ceylon Tea, grown in the lush highlands of Sri Lanka, returned to the land where tea itself was born, China. With nearly 90 Marriott International hotels across Greater China taking part, the competition was fierce and flavourful. From intricate tea infusions to gastronomic pairings and spirit-infused creativity, 12 teams emerged as finalists, redefining what luxury tea service looks like in the 21st century. At the heart of this initiative is Dilhan C. Fernando, Chairman/CEO of Dilmah Tea and the driving force behind the challenge. As he explained, this isn’t about flashy opulence, luxury today is rooted in nature, authenticity, wellness and respect – respect for ingredients, for artisans and for the timeless ritual of traditional tea-making. The finalists rose to the challenge, creating everything from Earl Grey infused cocktails to tea-smoked delicacies, fusing heritage with innovation. The competition culminated in a live showcase judged by a distinguished panel including Dilhan C. Fernando, Stephen Lim, Director of Restaurants & Bars, Marriott International Greater China, Sven Heinrich Wunram, Culinary Director, Marriott International Greater China, and Ho Hoang Huy, Acclaimed Vietnamese Mixologist. The grand title was shared by Team Wuhan Marriott Hotel Wuchang and Team Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong, who captivated the judges with their seamless infusion of story, flavour and artistry. Other accolades included: · Best Inspirational Tea Beverage: Charles Kaderabek, Renaissance Harbor View Hong Kong · Best Food Pairing: Lydia Song, The Shanghai Edition · Best Tea Sommelier: Amanda Au Yeung, The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong · Best Team Collaboration: Christ Dong & Rain Huang, The Westin Guangzhou This edition marked the international debut of the Challenge, with China, the birthplace of tea, as the fitting first stop. From here, the journey continues globally, reviving lost food cultures, honouring artisans, and placing tea at the heart of a conscious luxury experience. Because in a fast-paced world, sometimes true sophistication is found in the stillness of a perfectly brewed cup.
Behind the Scenes of #Session90
When we say #Session90 of the Dilmah School of Tea (SOT) was our biggest yet, we’re not just talking numbers, though 204 guests from almost 50 countries is no small feat. What made it extraordinary was everything that unfolded behind the scenes – the energy, the early mornings, the late-nights, the aroma of tea wafting through hallways, and the genuine excitement of bringing tea lovers from across the world into the Dilmah world. It started before sunrise on Day 1 of the SOT… The Hilton Colombo’s kitchen was buzzing with the action from Chef Peter Kuruvita, the Queen of Cheese Betty Koster and mixology maestros Tomek Malek, Alberto Pizarro and Najade Bijl. Watching red velvet pancakes get crowned with chamomile cream or lamb pies paired with peppermint leaves — magic. And don’t forget the tea-based detox concoctions that somehow made waking up early feel like a reward! At Cinnamon Life, we prepped the classroom to reflect the spirit of Dilmah – thoughtful, warm and an element of surprise! The sessions were led by a powerhouse faculty of Sri Lankan and international experts. Dilhan C. Fernando, Chairman of Dilmah, shared insights on tea artisanship and food service trends. His son, Amrit Fernando introduced the rich story of Ceylon Cinnamon, while Betty Koster brought her cheese wisdom to the table. Participants explored tea’s health benefits, flavour pairings and even built their own high tea boxes – curated, elegant and personal. Of course, the impromptu quizzes and gifts were fun too! Then came the 4.15 a.m. wake-up call on Day 2. Yes, we really did that! However, no complaints were heard as the group boarded a scenic train to the Craighead Estate in Nawalapitiya from Colombo Fort, passing through paddy fields, small villages, misty valleys, sun-soaked slopes, tea gardens and tunnels carved into the hills. For many it was their first glimpse of the birthplace of Ceylon Tea. At Craighead Estate, the air was cool, the views endless and the welcome heartfelt — especially from the plantation community children supported by our MJF Charitable Foundation. The SOT participants walked the estate trails and followed tea’s journey from handpicking to withering to rolling to fermenting to drying to grading. They watched white tea being crafted with reverence, a unique process. And somewhere between the scent of fresh tea leaves and the laughter of children, the meaning of what we do at Dilmah settled deeper. That evening in the hill capital of Kandy, spirits lifted — literally! Our mixology masters led a vibrant session on tea and cocktails. From zero-proof creations to low-ABV infusions, every team got their hands sticky with syrup, spirits and creativity. There were spills. There was flair. There were cheers. By the time we returned to Colombo for the grand finale on Day 4 — a visit to the Dilmah Tea Room, factory and the MJF Centre in Moratuwa – something had changed. Participants weren’t just SOT attendees anymore, they were part of the Dilmah Global Family. We brewed over 5,000 cups of tea across four days. But what really filled our cups? The shared stories, the laughter and the simple joy of bringing people together over a love for tea and kindness.
Behind the Scenes of a “Family” Reunion
From the 6th to the 9th of May 2025, we hosted the 11th Dilmah Global Family Conference, our international partner gathering. It was a homecoming as 150 participants from 51 countries came together, each carrying a piece of the global Dilmah story, bound by one mission: to honour our past, celebrate the present, and shape the future of Ceylon Tea. Months of meetings, late-night calls across time zones, creative brainstorming sessions, tasting trials, sorting over 100 flags, packing gifts, and box after box of samples — all leading to this moment. On the 6th of May, what would have been our Founder Merrill J. Fernando’s birthday, we began. We gave a warm cultural welcome to our partners at the home of Dilmah in Peliyagoda. Here, they were taken through our state-of-the-art factory, where they witnessed the remarkable advancements in robotics and infrastructure that now support our craft. One of the most cherished moments was their visit to the tea room, where we proudly taste over 10,000 cups of tea each week to ensure only the finest reaches the world. All our partners — even our participant tea taster — got that slurp just right! That evening, two commemorative stamps were officially unveiled by Sri Lanka Post. One honoured our beloved Founder, Merrill J. Fernando, the first native Sri Lankan tea grower to launch his own tea brand to the world. The other captured the heart of his mission: ethical tea, a deep respect for nature, and a lifelong service to people. May 6th will forever be known as Kindness Day, at Dilmah – a day to reflect on the values our Founder lived by. Because to him, kindness was never weakness, but a strength and resilience, and business is — and always will be — a matter of human service. A new chapter begins This conference also marked the unveiling of our new Dilmah emblem. Our crest features our Founder and a figure representing the artisans to whose welfare he dedicated himself. The shield symbolises the faith and determination with which he fought to overturn a colonial economic system. It also conveys the elements in his arsenal – respect for nature, her influence upon taste and goodness, the kindness that he embedded at the heart of Dilmah, and his passion for tea. Above the shield is a Kandyan crown, adding our Founder’s love for Sri Lanka, and his entirely authentic mission to take our tea to the world. We relaunched the tea that first made our taste known around the world – Dilmah Premium and Gourmet selections, now with improved packaging and elegance. For the first time, we introduced the Windsor Forest collection, a symbol of natural luxury for true tea connoisseurs. There was excitement over the rare, radiant Dilmah Ruby Tea, a special tea created for the 40th anniversary. Conversations Brewed with Heart There were 39 sessions, each exploring not just tea, but also the world around it. Among many thought-provoking sessions, Prof. Tissa Amarakoon stood out as he shared the science behind tea and health. Alongside hundreds of nods, I too agreed that tea is a protector of the body, a fighter of inflammation, a friend to the gut, and a quiet warrior against diabetes and cancer. Grant Davidson then guided us through emerging market trends — from aesthetic packaging to trending loose leaf rituals. We toasted to many success stories like Dilmah Malaysia, which grew sixfold in just four years, and Dilmah Australia, now a rising star. Beyond the products and sessions, what truly touched me were the moments in between. Meeting faces behind familiar emails. Laughing over cups, glasses and plates inspired by tea, as world-class bartender Alberto Pizarro and winner of the Entree Awards 2021- Najade Bijl, served an exclusive tea-inspired menu. Listening to stories told with accents from every corner of the globe, sharing ideas, learning about each other’s cultures, and standing together for a cause greater than any of us alone. The True Taste of Tea We stand for kindness and to never compromise. We believe a simple leaf can carry the weight of a nation’s story and how one man’s dream, rooted in love for people and the planet, can grow into a family that spans the world. And this is what makes Dilmah different. Behind every menu is not just a recipe, but an experience. Not just a product, but a purpose and as we close this chapter of celebration, our hearts are full. We are grateful, we are inspired and we are ready. Because this is not the end of the story, it is just the beginning of our next 40 years together. Here’s to kindness, to courage, to Ceylon Tea. Here’s to being Dilmah.
Stamped for the Ages
On the 6th of May 2025, we paused — with gratitude, with love and with quiet reflection to honour a man whose life changed the Ceylon tea industry. Our Founder, Merrill J. Fernando, was remembered not only through words and memories but also through two beautifully crafted commemorative stamps formally issued by Sri Lanka Post. These stamps are more than paper and ink; they are a tribute to a life defined by kindness, integrity and unwavering purpose. The 6th of May, which would have been his 95th birthday, has now been formally recognised by Dilmah as ‘Kindness Day’ — a day to reflect on the values he lived by, and to recommit ourselves to making business a matter of human service. The commemorative stamps were unveiled at a special evening in Colombo, which brought together not only the second and third generations of Dilmah, but also members of the Dilmah Global Family, who had gathered in Sri Lanka for the 11th international Dilmah partner conference. The stamps themselves are works of art — designed by Pulasthi Ediriweera, a celebrated Sri Lankan artist, songwriter, teacher and designer. With a career spanning over four decades, Pulasthi has brought over 200 stamps to life, each bearing his artistic fingerprint and talent. Trained at the prestigious Haywood Art Institute, and a recipient of national honours such as the Kalapathi and Kalabhushana awards, Pulasthi poured not only his skill but his heart into the depiction of a man who inspired a nation — and the world. One stamp pays homage to Merrill J. Fernando himself — the first native tea grower to offer his own brand of tea directly to the world. The other honours his life’s work: a legacy of kindness, ethical purpose, and devotion to people and planet. Together, they are a celebration of 40 years of Dilmah and of the values that will carry the brand forward. Our Founder once said, “In 1950, I devoted my life to tea. I saw so much inequality around the world that even as a young teamaker with nothing more than a big dream, I decided that my Dilmah Tea would serve humanity.” That promise continues to live on in every cup of Dilmah, in every community uplifted through the MJF Charitable Foundation, and now, through these stamps, in every collector’s album as a timeless symbol of compassion in action. Kindness Day is not just a date on the calendar — it is a call to remember, and more importantly, to act. It is a reminder that kindness is not weakness, but strength. It is not an option, but a duty. It is the essence of all that Merrill J. Fernando stood for. Let this day, and these stamps, inspire us all to carry forward his dream — to make business truly a matter of human service, and to make kindness not just a memory, but a movement.