Author: Shehani
What Does ‘Avurudu’ Mean to Us?
Avurudu (Puththandu in Tamil), the Sinhalese and Tamil New Year that is usually celebrated around the 13th and 14th of April, is one of the biggest festivals on the Sri Lankan calendar. While primarily celebrated by the Sinhalese Buddhist and Tamil Hindu communities, it is quite the norm for most Sri Lankans around the globe to join in the festivities. Even those who don’t follow the traditions of the festival partake in the fun and games, and most certainly enjoy the sweet treats of the season. In an astrological sense, Avurudu is the movement of the sun from the House of Pisces (Meena Rashiya) to the House of Aries (Mesha Rashiya). It also marks the end of the harvest season and of spring. The intermediary ‘neutral’ period, referred to as nonagathe in Sinhala, is somewhat of a ‘dead’ phase where people refrain from doing anything of significance. In a traditional sense, Avurudu is all about new beginnings, with most Buddhists and Hindus following strict auspicious times calculated by astrologers to celebrate the dawn of the new year, light the traditional oil lamp, boil milk, cook kiribath (milk rice), bathe, have their first meal, commence work in the new year, and so on. It’s a time to pursue new hopes and dreams, and to amend and make peace with anything that might have not gone too well in the old year. In a cultural sense, Avurudu is a time that brings all Sri Lankans of every race and religion together. Often, those who live away from their ancestral or parental homes return home to spend time with their family and friends. At these gatherings, old and young ones alike participate in various traditional Avurudu games that range from tug-of-war to sack races, kotta pora, pinning the eye on the elephant, lime-and-spoon races, bun-eating competitions and so much more. The implications of these activities go beyond simply having fun, for they nurture unity and relationships, giving everyone something to look forward to enjoying with one another. No celebration is complete without good food, and Sri Lankans certainly have a habit of going all-out to lay a spread of special (and indulgent) specialities that everyone instantly craves when they think of Avurudu. There’s the brand ambassador-like, unmissable trio of kavum, kokis and mung kavum, the pop-in-your-mouth-any-time milk toffee, coconut rock, semolina toffee and kiri aluwa, the demurely satisfying halapa and aggala, and the delightfully messy aasmi. The great news is that t-Lounge by Dilmah in Colombo is dishing out all these sweet treats this Avurudu season – as a Mini Kevili Plate of kavum, kokis and mung kavum to enjoy at any of the three outlets (Horton Place, Chatham Street, One Galle Face Mall), or in the form of Handy (Hurubuhuti) or Large (Dewantha) Kevili Hampers that contain all (yes, ALL) of the above-mentioned Avurudu treats. The hampers are great to serve at home or to gift, and need to be pre-ordered. Apart from these, t-Lounge by Dilmah has also got a few Avurudu-themed 1kg and bento cakes that are equally great to serve or to gift. Check out @teatimerocks on Instagram to make your pick! Of course, at Dilmah, no festivity would be complete without Ceylon’s finest tea. So, we’ve designed the most beautiful and intricate wooden box, inspired by traditional Sri Lankan woodwork, that we think would make the perfect gift for absolutely anyone this Avurudu season. It’s called the ‘Sri Lankan Woodcraft-inspired Dilmah 6-Slot Gift of Tea’ and can ideally hold six varieties of your favourite Dilmah teas and infusions. This, too, can be purchased exclusively at any of the above three t-Lounge by Dilmah outlets. On that note, we would like to wish all of our community – our extended Dilmah global family and friends – a happy and prosperous Sinhalese and Tamil New Year! සුබ අලුත් අවුරුද්දක් වේවා! புத்தாண்டு வாழ்த்துகள்!
World Health Day Week: Talking Tea
There is a strong undercurrent driving people towards ‘healthy living’ of late – for good reason, of course. The world is becoming more and more instant and automated, whether we talk about food, work, travel or chores. So, the need to consciously make an effort to improve our lifestyle and diet has become all the more accentuated and, inadvertently, complex. There’s an increasing demand to figure out what the best diet is for your body type, what the best workout is for your lifestyle, what the best practices are for your mental health, and so on. While you’re figuring all of this out – and while it’s still World Health Day Week – we thought we’d offer you a little more insight into how our favourite herb, Camelia sinensis, could give you some support on your health journey. We’ve already talked about the positive impact of antioxidants in tea on overall well-being, and how tea can boost oral health, in previous posts. So, let’s take a look at some non-communicable diseases (NCDs) that drinking tea could contribute towards keeping at bay or alleviating. Diabetes Tea can help prevent the incidence of diabetes both directly and indirectly. Direct contribution may occur by reducing the absorption of glucose from the digestive tract into the bloodstream, and by increasing the effectiveness of insulin after a meal. Indirect contribution may occur by reducing inflammation and obesity, both of which are risk factors for diabetes. (Ref: Tea and Your Health by Prof. Tissa Amarakoon*) Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) Tea is known to reduce oxidative stress and blood cholesterol levels, as well as to reduce the risk of high blood pressure, chronic inflammation, blood clotting and diabetes. All of these are significant risk factors for CVD. Hence, by reducing the risk of these conditions, tea drinking naturally lowers the risk of developing CVD. (Ref: Tea and Your Health by Prof. Tissa Amarakoon*) Stroke By lowering the risk of blood clotting and other conditions mentioned above, drinking tea could also the risk of stroke and subsequent complications such as paralysis. (Ref: Tea and Your Health by Prof. Tissa Amarakoon* Cancer Research shows that regular consumption of tea could help to reduce the risk of certain types of cancer (oral cavity, thyroid, nasopharynx, lungs, gall bladder, gastric system, biliary duct, prostate, and ovaries, and recurrence of breast cancer). This is mostly linked to the action of flavonoids present in tea, which can act in several ways to counter the initiation or progression of cancer. These mechanisms include neutralising carcinogens that could cause DNA mutations, by interfering with the mechanism by which cancer cells can evolve into malignant tumours, and by reducing metastasis (spread of cancer to other parts of the body), thereby increasing the effectiveness of treatment. (Ref: Tea and Your Health by Prof. Tissa Amarakoon*) *If you would like to learn more about the science behind the health benefits of drinking tea, click here to get your own copy of Prof. Tissa Amarakoon’s comprehensive compilation – Tea and Your Health.
Dilmah HQ’s Elixir of Ceylon Tea Takeover
The Cambridge Dictionary defines elixir as “a substance, usually a liquid, with the magical power to cure, improve, or preserve something”. That’s exactly what Dilmah Elixir of Ceylon Tea is. Well, sort of… The official product description states that it is a ‘natural extract of hand-picked Ceylon tea for iced tea, infused water, tea mixology, tea shakes and smoothies’ – which sounds pretty magical in itself. What this essentially means is that, in these elixirs, we’ve got the natural health benefits that come from Dilmah’s single origin Ceylon tea, with its antioxidant-rich composition, as well as a rich versatility in terms of how the humble tea leaf can be enjoyed for its goodness and flavour, in a wide array of dishes and beverages. What’s more, there’s a sensational range of Dilmah Elixir products to play around with – from black tea extract with mango flavour, peach flavour, almond flavour, ginger and apple flavour, rose and vanilla flavour, and lychee flavour, to green tea extract with jasmine flavour. The possibilities are limitless and truly stimulating for the creative and innovative nook of one’s brain! If you look through our database of tea-inspired recipes, you will find an endless number of food and beverage recipes that have used Dilmah Elixir of Ceylon Tea in the most novel and unexpected ways. Bearing this in mind, we asked a few of our Dilmah HQ family to share the inspiring ways in which they incorporate the magical elixir into their favourite casual bevvies at home. So far, we’ve got a zesty banana smoothie recipe with Dilmah Elixir of Ceylon Tea Lemon and Lime Flavour from Sharmilla Rosa, a kid-friendly mocktail recipe with Dilmah Elixir of Ceylon Black Tea with Mango & Lychee by Nishanthi Amaratunga, and a tropical fruity cocktail recipe which gets its kick from Dilmah Elixir of Ceylon Back Tea with Amaretto Royale from Jerome Auvity. Check out the recipes and tell us what you think – or share your own!
Your Ultimate Rest with Sleepmaxxing
Sleepmaxxing is definitely #trending. It’s the phenomenon of aligning every possible aspect so as to potentially optimise the amount of sleep one gets. There are some factors that most of us are already familiar with, and there is a science behind each of these. Let’s take a closer look at a few. Unplugging from screentime. Melatonin is a hormone that is actively involved in regulating sleep by helping the body to wind down and relax. The blue light emitted from screens of electronic devices is known to suppress melatonin production in the body. It is therefore recommended that we unplug from electronic devices about 45-60 minutes prior to going to sleep so as to help prepare both mind and body for better sleep. Sticking to a routine. Maintaining a routine schedule where you go to sleep and wake up at around the same times every day can help the body to keep its circadian rhythm (the body’s internal clock that regulates sleeping and being awake) in check. Catching some morning sunshine. Exposure to a bit of sunlight – natural light – in the morning also contributes towards maintaining one’s circadian rhythm by signaling to the mind and body that it’s time to awaken, arise and reset for a new day. Having a suitable sleep environment. The body sleeps best when the body is comfortable. The ideal temperature for good sleep is believed to be between 15.6oC and 20.0oC. Of course, this could vary based on individual preference. Other factors that contribute towards good sleep ‘hygiene’ include having a silent sleeping space, dim or no lighting, a soft mattress and pillows with frequently changed bed linen, and feeling clean and fresh before getting to bed. Deep breathing and meditation. Meditation or simple deep breathing can help to relax the mind and body, and create some relief from anxiety and stress. The calming effect thus brought about can help attain better sleep than if the body and mind are tense or stressed. Being mindful of what you consume before bedtime. We have heard plenty about avoiding caffeine consumption before bedtime. However, did you know that consuming herbal infusions such as chamomile flowers can also help to relax your nervous system by acting as a natural mild sedative? The subsequent reduction of anxiety and induced relaxation can contribute towards giving you a good night’s sleep. And this is where Dilmah steps in. Dilmah offers a premium selection of 100% natural chamomile flower infusions, available at Dilmah Tea Boutiques in Sri Lanka and at our global shop online.
Weaving Empowerment into Communities
Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. That is empowerment… To reinforce someone with the skill set to earn their own means. The MJF Charitable Foundation (MJFCF) partakes in many initiatives to empower various branches of society including differently abled children, underprivileged youth and marginalised women. The beautiful hand-woven items that you see throughout this article are the result of such an initiative carried out by the MJFCF’s East Centre Women’s Development Programme in Kalkudah. Fifteen keen female residents in the area were trained and equipped with the new skill of palmyrah leaf weaving. Since the main resource for this practice is the palmyrah tree, which is widely available in the Kalkudah region, it is a skill that is convenient and practical for them to put into use. They could focus on tapping into their inherent creativity and intelligence to learn the craft of neatly weaving the leaf into whatever item they intended to make, without having to worry about sourcing raw materials. On the 29th of January (2025), the entrepreneurs-in-the-making were given the opportunity to showcase their newly-acquired skills to a visiting team from Dilmah’s Head Office. In fact, it was more than just an exhibition – the ladies made a total sale of LKR 23,350 on the day, with the Head Office crew being highly impressed by the variety and quality of items that these women had created in such a short time. It was truly awe-inspiring. There were baskets, market bags, trays, place mats, tissue box holders, storage boxes, food utensils, other homeware items, and even garlands! The MJF West Centre in Moratuwa has already placed orders for several items made by these incredible women, and they have also been allocated stalls at the next People’s Market in the East. The icing on the cake is that all of these palmyrah leaf items are environment-friendly, hence inadvertently enabling these women to educate, promote and contribute towards sustainability among their communities as well – an aspect that Dilmah Conservation and the MJF Group strongly advocates. If these images are anything to go by, the trainees are certainly well on their way to becoming fully-skilled entrepreneurs! Stunning, isn’t it, what empowerment can do?
Enhancing Childhood Learning through Reading
“The man who does not read good books is no better than the man who can’t.” – Mark Twain, author – Sri Lanka prides itself in having a literacy rate of around 95% among the segment of its population that is over ten years of age. However, a high literacy rate can only mean so much if there is little access to constructive reading material that nurtures young minds and keeps older minds agile. Reading and storytelling are essential contributors towards childhood learning, when a child’s mind absorbs every new practice and piece of information that they are exposed to. Tuk Tuk Library The COVID-19 pandemic was a bleak phase for children, as much as it was for adults. Schools were closed and children in underprivileged communities had no access to education or reading material. It was during this time that the MJF Charitable Foundation (MJFCF) stepped in with a brilliant idea to address this issue – the Tuk Tuk Library. Essentially a mobile library on (three) wheels, the Tuk Tuk Library made weekly visits to poverty-stricken areas in the town of Moratuwa, taking books, toys and games for children to engage with and fuel their minds. The whole project was conducted in keeping with health and safety protocols at the time, which meant that it needed much thought and commitment. However, it was totally worth it, for no mask could hide the spark in the eyes of the kids as they rummaged through each week’s offerings and made their picks. For them, it was a joyful splash of colour in a world that had turned monochrome. In fact, the MJFCF Tuk Tuk Library continues to buzz around today, having expanded its reach to more communities across Sri Lanka, to enrich more and more young minds. In addition, the Tuk Tuk Library also visits elders’ homes where residents eagerly await the newspapers, books and games that are brought for their perusal. Monthly Book Reading Over the past few years, the MJFCF has also been carrying out Monthly Book Reading sessions for children over the age of three years at the Moratuwa Community Library. Each month, the team selects a different theme – often celebrating or highlighting a significant event for the month, such as World Oceans Day in June, World Chocolate Day in July, and the likes. The sessions are conducted in a relaxed, child-friendly environment and involve engaging the children in an hour of having stories read to them by a volunteer, interacting during storytelling, and sometimes even learning new skills pertaining to the theme. The Monthly Book Reading sessions not only help children to expand their vocabulary and use of language, but also helps them in developing the ability to pay attention and stay focused on a particular subject while the reading is going on. The interaction that follows further helps them to develop their power of recollection of details that have been conveyed to them, as well as to augment their sense of creativity, communication skills and social interaction. They are also provided with a safe space to express their thoughts and emotions on the theme being discussed and beyond. All of these are important exercises that contribute significantly towards the childhood learning process. Wondering How You Can Contribute? Now that you know what initiatives the MJFCF has taken to enable and encourage reading among kids to enhance childhood learning, here are a couple of ways in which you, too, could contribute: For more information on how you can be a part of these initiatives, email info@mjffoundation.org or DM @mjffoundation or contact us on +94 77 250 7879.
Swipe Right for Love (Cake)
If you are a Sri Lankan, or live in Sri Lanka, or have any Sri Lankan friends in your life, then chances are that you’ve already met Love Cake. She is regal, has great taste and – like her name suggests – is much loved by one and all. Above all, she is currently on the look-out for the perfect cuppa to be her best match. This Valentine’s season, Love Cake is making a special appearance at t-Lounge by Dilmah, in the form of a beautiful boxed selection with four different tea-inspired glazes. There’s a vibrant green glaze infused with the soothingly earthy yet upliftingly refreshing Dilmah Moroccan Mint Green Tea. There’s a beautiful blush glaze infused with the sweetly floral, aromatic Dilmah Rose with French Vanilla Tea. The mellow tan number is a contrastingly vivacious, piquant Ceylon Cinnamon glaze. The Classic glaze takes on a distinctively plain white colour. Beneath each of these toppings lies Love Cake, in all her pomp and tradition, prepared to perfection using age-old recipes tweaked by the brilliant culinary team at t-Lounge by Dilmah. It’s an eye-catching presentation with a taste of novelty, thoughtfulness and love. Ancestral History Love Cake’s great ancestors are believed to have been of Portuguese origin, having arrived on our little island back in the 16th century. They originally went by the name of ‘Bolo di Amor’, before integrating into local culture, taking on local flavours and evolving into the name that we all recognise instantly – Sri Lankan Love Cake. Why ‘Love’ Cake? one might ask. There are a couple of schools of thought as to how this name came about. It is, of course, an almost direct translation of the Portuguese name, with ‘bolo’ translating to coarse cake, and ‘amor’ meaning love. Some believe that the name came about as a result of the ‘labour of love’ that it was to prepare the cake, using rich ingredients, too. Another more intriguing theory is that this special cake was used by young maidens to woo potential suitors. Whatever the reasoning, the name has been lovingly preserved and passed down through generations. Love Cake in Sri Lanka Fast forward several centuries, and the popularity of Love Cake in Sri Lanka has only flourished. She is highly sought after not only during festivities such as Christmas season, weddings and Valentine’s Day, but is also fondly gifted and served when meeting and greeting local and foreign friends, alike. Love Cake’s unique and distinguished character comes from the staple ingredients that the Sri Lankan version is unmistakably enriched with – semolina, cashew, pumpkin preserve, rose water and almond essence. It makes for an aromatic affair, with the crusty top, nutty center and dense base making every encounter a journey to savour in itself. Finding the Perfect Pairing Like we said, Love Cake is currently on the hunt for the perfect tea to her cake. The suitors are many in number, and the sorting process has been a task. However, after chewing on it and letting it brew for a while, we’ve managed to narrow the options down to three potential matches: . Dilmah t-Series Brilliant Breakfast Tea, a bold, brisk and bright tea from the Dimbula Valley that arouses the palate and senses with its robust liquor. . Dilmah t-Series Rose with French Vanilla Tea, a bright Nuwara Eliya region tea with sensual floral notes from red rose combined with the soothing, sweet aroma of French vanilla. . Dilmah t-Series Italian Almond Tea, a malty, mellow tea from the Nawalapitiya region, laced with the nutty and bittersweet aroma and flavour of Italian almond. As you might have seen on our socials, Dilmah Chairman Dilhan believes that Brilliant Breakfast is the perfect match for Love Cake, while his beloved wife Serena is rooting for Rose with French Vanilla. Here at Dilmah HQ, a few of us think that Italian Almond might be the best suitor. What do you think? Check them out and let us know! ‘You’re the Cake to My Tea’ Love Cake boxes are available at t-Lounge by Dilmah in Sri Lanka on a pre-order basis until 15th March 2025. DM @teatimerocks to place your order now. Dilmah t-Series specialty teas are available for purchase at Dilmah Tea Boutiques and t-Lounge by Dilmah outlets in Sri Lanka, and can be ordered online globally.
Merrill J. Fernando: An Autobiography
Within the Dilmah Family, we fondly refer to him as ‘MJF’. Older generations of the trade simply called him ‘Merrill’, while younger generations referred to ‘Mr. Fernando’. Around the world, he was often recognised as ‘Mr. Dilmah’. Regardless of the moniker, it is, of course, our beloved Founder Merrill J. Fernando that we speak of. To many, he was the founder and face of Dilmah Ceylon Tea since 1985. A passionate teamaker who poured his life and heart into his tea, it is no secret that MJF was a disruptor of the colonial tea trade system in his early years, taking a stand against unscrupulous processes that gave local tea growers a raw deal. A force to be reckoned with, is what he was – and continues to be in our memory, even today. If ever you had the honour of speaking with him in person, you would have undoubtedly been humoured by his undeniable wit and sharp tongue, while also feeling a sense of awe towards his intelligence and vision. This vision was not limited to his business, though, for MJF was a strong believer – and example – of business being a matter of human service. This human service is something that Dilmah still extends towards less fortunate communities, differently abled children, marginalised women, endangered species, the natural environment, and beyond. He was a God-fearing man with a deep sense of religion and responsibility. Most of this might already have been known to those who knew MJF and his work closely enough. So, in May 2023, months before bidding farewell to the mortal realm, Merrill J. Fernando published his memoir – The Story of Ceylon Teamaker Merrill J. Fernando. The transcript, expertly documented by Anura Gunasekara under MJF’s keen eye, gives us in-depth insight into a life that inspired not only second and third generations of tea growers and teamakers within the family, but generations of tea enthusiasts the world over. As you make your way through the pages, you get to know the ordinary child who grew up to be an extraordinary entrepreneur, philanthropist and advocate for Ceylon tea. You see how this magnanimous figure was so much like you and me in terms of life, yet also how he had used his vision and purpose to transcend beyond that likeness, while remaining humble and committed through it all. The book is an account, an album, a documentation of MJF’s personal, professional and family life, the evolution of Ceylon tea, the political and administrative history of the country, the growth of Dilmah and numerous other brands now associated with the MJF Group. As you skim through, you come across a trove of intriguing historical facts and anecdotes, and a plethora of rare images that cover everything from family holidays and weddings, to the Dilmah/MJF family that extends beyond the Fernandos, the brand’s growing network of global friends, colonial and post-colonial photos, documents and articles from the trade, Dilmah’s global advertising campaigns from the early years, contributors and stakeholders at the heart of the business, and so much more. It is an easy read, an open invitation into the life and mind of a man who used his wisdom, resilience and grit to achieve greatness for both self and country. The book is an ode to his humble beginnings and a testament to the noble and magnificent gentleman we knew him to be at the time of his passing. Above all, in his own words, it is “a tribute to many people and a grateful acknowledgement of the contribution made to (his) life by so many”. It really is quite something, coming from the legend himself. The Story of Ceylon Teamaker Merrill J. Fernando is now available for purchase at Amazon: The Story of Ceylon Teamaker: Merrill J. Fernando: Merrill J. Fernando: 9789550081325: Amazon.com: Books
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