Tour the south coast of Sri Lanka and discover the wonders of a bygone time in a fabulous seaside setting. Exploring thirty six acres of cobbled streets lined with charming boutiques and cafes inside the iconic Fort, is one of the top things to do in Galle, Sri Lanka. Travelling forty minutes further along the expressway from Galle, you will arrive at the small town of Ahangama. Make a stop at the Handunugoda Tea Estate, a one hundred and forty year old tea plantation before moving on to Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort, which is hidden away on a ridge overlooking a sheltered stretch of beach with the wide Indian Ocean beyond.
The Handunugoda Tea Estate is a special place and famous for one unique product, a white tea that is manufactured without ever coming into contact with human hands. The plucking of tea leaves is done with scissors and a bowl, a method which was first established by Chinese Emperor Tsong. In ancient times only virgins were allowed to harvest the tea using golden scissors. The tea is only touched by a human while it is being consumed. Besides Handunugoda Estate, this special type of tea is only produced in the Chinese Fujian Province. White tea has the highest content of anti-oxidants found in tea, which makes it the healthiest of all teas and also the most expensive. Virgin White Tea produced on the Handunugoda Estate has made its way to Faubourg Saint Honore in Central Paris, where the world’s finest tea salons are found.
The tea factory was founded by Herman Gunaratne, who is a legend in the field of tea. The estate has a resident tea planter who conducts guided tours of the working tea plantation. The tour teaches you the production process of the famous Virgin White Tea and ends in a tasting session. The facility also includes a small shop that sells the exclusive product.
Caleb Falcon is a travel writer who specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers. Google+
