About this book:

*Tea Industry 360: Supply Chain, Quality Control, and Branding for Sri Lankan Tea* is a comprehensive operational manual designed for estate managers, exporters, and entrepreneurs within the Ceylon tea sector. The book bridges the technical gap between agricultural practice and international market access, offering a "soil-to-shelf" guide that covers every stage of the tea value chain. Readers will find detailed explorations of tea-growing fundamentals, including climate and cultivar selection, alongside rigorous protocols for factory processing stages such as withering, rolling, oxidation, and drying. Specialized chapters also delve into the unique requirements for producing premium green, white, and oolong teas.

Beyond production, the guide emphasizes the modern imperatives of quality assurance and commercial strategy. It provides actionable frameworks for implementing ISO standards, managing Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs), and achieving organic and fair-trade certifications. With a focus on value addition, the text explains how to leverage origin storytelling and digital traceability to build a powerful brand identity that resonates in global markets. Supplemented by real-world case studies and a library of ready-to-use operational templates—including SOPs, traceability checklists, and cupping reports—this book serves as an essential toolkit for anyone looking to enhance the quality, efficiency, and profitability of Sri Lankan tea operations.

What You'll Find Inside:

• A complete technical breakdown of the tea production process, including soil health, cultivar selection, plucking standards, withering, rolling, oxidation, and drying.
• Practical protocols for quality control and laboratory testing, covering sensory evaluation (cupping), moisture analysis, and chemical marker quantification like theaflavins and thearubigins.
• Strategic guidance on global market access, including navigating international standards, Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs), and obtaining organic or fair-trade certifications.
• Actionable insights into branding and value addition, exploring single-estate narratives, specialty tea innovations (green, white, and oolong), and ready-to-drink (RTD) formats.
• Operational toolkits featuring ready-to-use templates for green leaf reception, process monitoring, traceability frameworks, and digital recordkeeping.

Who's It For:

This book is designed for estate managers, factory supervisors, and tea exporters in Sri Lanka who need a comprehensive operational manual for daily production and quality management. It is also an essential resource for tea entrepreneurs and international buyers seeking to understand the technical complexities of the Ceylon tea supply chain, from soil management to global branding. Additionally, it serves as a practical guide for those navigating the rigorous landscape of international food safety regulations and sustainability certifications.