MASTER'S TEA SELECTION by SHARYN JOHNSTON
MASTER'S TEA SELECTION by SHARYN JOHNSTON
We are very excited and proud to announce another important step in our project's life!
Our collection has been expanded with stunning teas from SRI LANKA, created by experienced masters from the Nuwara Elya region and thoroughly selected by our very good friend, mentor, and high-level tea expert - Sharyn Johnston.
SHARYN JOHNSTON
has a long corporate career and has worked in over 20 different countries. She founded Australian Tea Masters in 2011 with a primary focus on education and consultancy and later launched Australian Tea Masters Wholesale and Blending in 2017.
Australian Tea Masters is an organisation focused on tea education and tea production. Tea blending trainings, sommelier trainings, and masterclasses about tea culture, and the tea industry make Australian Tea Masters one of the leading organisations and unique sources of high-quality knowledge about tea. The other side is a private label, which offers rare single-origin teas, blended teas, and wellness blends. Australian Tea Masters expanded internationally with the opening of the Singapore office in 2016 and the Indonesian office in 2018; the Korean office has recently opened in 2020.
In 2015, Sharyn launched the Australian International Tea Expo which is now working with other industry sectors to develop synergies with other hospitality, wellness, and health sectors of the market.
At the same time the Golden Leaf Awards were launched, the only international tea competition in Australia. Sharyn offers a portfolio of approximately 30 different tea courses across all sectors of the tea market. These courses include Tea Etiquette, Hands-on Blending, High tea, Tea and Food pairing, tea of the World, and tailor-made education classes for small or large groups. Specialised courses in tea education which have been developed by Australian Tea Masters are now taught worldwide and Sharyn’s expertise is highly respected and regarded around the world.
She is regularly asked to be a guest judge at tea competitions around the world and is a member of the advisory board of the Tea Masters Cup, as well as head Judge. Sharyn is also a board member of the European Speciality Tea Association and Head Judge for Tea Masters Cup International which is now held in 25 countries.
Our collection has been expanded with stunning teas from SRI LANKA, created by experienced masters from the Nuwara Elya region and thoroughly selected by our very good friend, mentor, and high-level tea expert - Sharyn Johnston.
SHARYN JOHNSTON
has a long corporate career and has worked in over 20 different countries. She founded Australian Tea Masters in 2011 with a primary focus on education and consultancy and later launched Australian Tea Masters Wholesale and Blending in 2017.
Australian Tea Masters is an organisation focused on tea education and tea production. Tea blending trainings, sommelier trainings, and masterclasses about tea culture, and the tea industry make Australian Tea Masters one of the leading organisations and unique sources of high-quality knowledge about tea. The other side is a private label, which offers rare single-origin teas, blended teas, and wellness blends. Australian Tea Masters expanded internationally with the opening of the Singapore office in 2016 and the Indonesian office in 2018; the Korean office has recently opened in 2020.
In 2015, Sharyn launched the Australian International Tea Expo which is now working with other industry sectors to develop synergies with other hospitality, wellness, and health sectors of the market.
At the same time the Golden Leaf Awards were launched, the only international tea competition in Australia. Sharyn offers a portfolio of approximately 30 different tea courses across all sectors of the tea market. These courses include Tea Etiquette, Hands-on Blending, High tea, Tea and Food pairing, tea of the World, and tailor-made education classes for small or large groups. Specialised courses in tea education which have been developed by Australian Tea Masters are now taught worldwide and Sharyn’s expertise is highly respected and regarded around the world.
She is regularly asked to be a guest judge at tea competitions around the world and is a member of the advisory board of the Tea Masters Cup, as well as head Judge. Sharyn is also a board member of the European Speciality Tea Association and Head Judge for Tea Masters Cup International which is now held in 25 countries.
SRI LANKA TEA INTRODUCTION
The history of Sri Lanka tea started in 1867 when the first tea plantations in the Kandy region were planted. Sri Lanka is one of the most ecologically clean mountainous regions in the world! This is an ideal place for growing tea plants, obtaining the highest quality tea, known on the world market as "Ceylon tea".
All this tea is usually grouped into three categories:
low-mountain teas (up to 600 m above sea level),
medium-altitude (600-1200 m)
and high altitude (1200 m and above).
SRI LANKA TEA REGIONS
Most Sri Lanka tea plantations are located in the mountainous regions in the south of the country at altitudes from 600 to 1850 m above sea level. All of them have their characteristics. The hot wet climate of the plateau and foothills creates excellent conditions for year-round leaf harvesting. The best tea is obtained from the highest plantations in the center of the mountain range. Due to perfect climatic conditions, local tea has a delicate taste and aroma.
NUWARA ELIYA is one of the highest tea-growing regions in the world. Plantations are located at an altitude of about 1850 meters above sea level. The best tea is obtained in January-March. Tea leaves are harvested in the early morning, with the first dew. Local teas are famous for their exceptional quality and delicate flavour.
DIMBULA is located in the west of the island. The Dimbula Valley extends at an altitude of 1100-1600 meters above sea level. Tea plantations are located on the southeastern slopes of the mountains.
UVA is located in the southeast of the country. Here, on the mountain slopes, under the protection of the mountains from dry and cold winds, extra-class tea is grown. Tea is grown and produced at an altitude of about 1000-1500 meters above sea level. Famous for its strong taste.
KANDY is the birthplace of Ceylon tea located in the central part of the country. Tea is grown and produced at an altitude of about 650-1300 meters above sea level. Kandy's teas are famous for their full-bodied taste and strong flavour.
There are more tea regions like GALLE, RUHUNU, MASKELIYA, MATALE, and RATNAPURA famous for their high-quality tea.
We are very excited to give you a chance to try one of the most beautiful teas from Sri Lanka made by individual small farmers who pay attention to the quality and fully handmade production.
NUWARA ELIYA is one of the highest tea-growing regions in the world. Plantations are located at an altitude of about 1850 meters above sea level. The best tea is obtained in January-March. Tea leaves are harvested in the early morning, with the first dew. Local teas are famous for their exceptional quality and delicate flavour.
DIMBULA is located in the west of the island. The Dimbula Valley extends at an altitude of 1100-1600 meters above sea level. Tea plantations are located on the southeastern slopes of the mountains.
UVA is located in the southeast of the country. Here, on the mountain slopes, under the protection of the mountains from dry and cold winds, extra-class tea is grown. Tea is grown and produced at an altitude of about 1000-1500 meters above sea level. Famous for its strong taste.
KANDY is the birthplace of Ceylon tea located in the central part of the country. Tea is grown and produced at an altitude of about 650-1300 meters above sea level. Kandy's teas are famous for their full-bodied taste and strong flavour.
There are more tea regions like GALLE, RUHUNU, MASKELIYA, MATALE, and RATNAPURA famous for their high-quality tea.
We are very excited to give you a chance to try one of the most beautiful teas from Sri Lanka made by individual small farmers who pay attention to the quality and fully handmade production.
SILVER RINGS
SILVER RINGS
Beautiful white tea made from pure buds harvested in early spring. Fully handmade tea, carefully round-twisted one by one makes this tea one of a kind. Delicate, exquisite tea with noble character.
Ebony Springs Tea Gardens is a tea farm located in Nawalapitiya, Sri Lanka, known for producing high-quality single-estate teas. The farm is owned and operated by Bernard Holsinger, a veteran tea planter with over 50 years of experience in the industry. Ebony Springs has a rich history of producing some of the finest teas in the region, using traditional methods and techniques passed down for generations. The teas produced at Ebony Springs are unique because they are single-estate teas, meaning they are grown, harvested, and processed on the same farm. This results in teas with distinct characteristics and flavors that are not found in blended teas from multiple farms. The farm is located at an altitude of just below 600 meters.
MORE DETAILS
Ebony Springs Tea Gardens is a tea farm located in Nawalapitiya, Sri Lanka, known for producing high-quality single-estate teas. The farm is owned and operated by Bernard Holsinger, a veteran tea planter with over 50 years of experience in the industry. Ebony Springs has a rich history of producing some of the finest teas in the region, using traditional methods and techniques passed down for generations. The teas produced at Ebony Springs are unique because they are single-estate teas, meaning they are grown, harvested, and processed on the same farm. This results in teas with distinct characteristics and flavors that are not found in blended teas from multiple farms. The farm is located at an altitude of just below 600 meters.
MORE DETAILS
WHITE CHAMPAGNE
WHITE CHAMPAGNE
Fully handmade white tea made in 120-year-old tea plantations located in Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka. Beautiful fragrant tea with sweet floral flavor. With its lush green hills, cool temperatures, and rich soil, it’s the perfect place to grow some of the world’s finest teas. A Macduff Plantations is a 120-year-old tea plantation located in the heart of Nuwara Eliya, surrounded by rolling hills and lush greenery. It’s the perfect place to relax and unwind while taking in the beautiful scenery. The plantation specializes in producing specialty teas like white tea, black tea, and semi-fermented tea. All teas are of high quality and are produced with the utmost care and precision. McDuff Tea is certified organic by the Control Union, EU, NOP, and USDA.
MORE DETAILS
MORE DETAILS
HAND-ROLLED BLACK
HAND-ROLLED BLACK
With its lush green hills, cool temperatures, and rich soil, it’s the perfect place to grow some of the world’s finest teas. A Macduff Plantations is a 120-year-old tea plantation located in the heart of Nuwara Eliya, surrounded by rolling hills and lush greenery. It’s the perfect place to relax and unwind while taking in the beautiful scenery. The plantation specializes in producing specialty teas like white tea, black tea, and semi-fermented tea. All teas are of high quality and are produced with the utmost care and precision. McDuff Tea is certified organic by the Control Union, EU, NOP, and USDA.
MORE DETAILS
MORE DETAILS
WORDS FROM THE MASTER
WORDS FROM THE MASTER
"In my search for innovation and excellence in tea, my team and I at Australian Tea Masters are seeking out small, artisanal farmers who are leading the way in the specialty tea movement. Over the course of twelve years, we have had the opportunity to connect with various aspects of the tea industry and were touched by the passion we found in small, seemingly breakaway farmers. This led to the idea of finding more of these hidden tea gems and producing a series of mini-documentaries to showcase and promote the work being done by small but dedicated farmers globally.
These farmers have put incredible time, care, and energy into producing small batch teas with unique flavor profiles, often using incredibly difficult manufacturing processes to achieve new age standards in tea. Many have broken away from the vast commercial industry with a hunger to produce high-quality teas with care. Each batch of tea is created with love and passion and with the attitude of how we can make it better.
The innovation we have experienced has surprised us and was beyond our expectations in our first series. Our aim at Australian Tea Masters is to travel the globe in search of these farmers who are often not recognized for their passion for improving the tea industry. Not only are these small farmers dedicated to producing teas of the highest quality and taste, but they are also dedicated to improving the lives of their workers and treating the environment with respect.
Our first series is Sri Lanka. In this first series, we spent a grueling 10 days traveling around the country in monsoon season and when Sri Lanka was in turmoil. We arrived when the country was holding strict curfews, there were desperate fuel shortages, and every day was a challenge. However, the excitement of the farmers and their teams when we arrived helped us to keep going under very difficult situations.
The farmers we met not only shared their stories and their processes with us, but they also openly shared with each other to help build the specialty tea industry of Sri Lanka. They have formed their own organization called CATA (Ceylon Artisan Tea Association). We were blessed to meet such warm and friendly, sharing people and we thank them.
We have a small group of farmers in our series to showcase the work being done in Sri Lanka in the handcrafted, specialty tea market. We hope you enjoy and can share in their passion. We also hope you can go on to experience some of the teas."
Sharyn Johnston
These farmers have put incredible time, care, and energy into producing small batch teas with unique flavor profiles, often using incredibly difficult manufacturing processes to achieve new age standards in tea. Many have broken away from the vast commercial industry with a hunger to produce high-quality teas with care. Each batch of tea is created with love and passion and with the attitude of how we can make it better.
The innovation we have experienced has surprised us and was beyond our expectations in our first series. Our aim at Australian Tea Masters is to travel the globe in search of these farmers who are often not recognized for their passion for improving the tea industry. Not only are these small farmers dedicated to producing teas of the highest quality and taste, but they are also dedicated to improving the lives of their workers and treating the environment with respect.
Our first series is Sri Lanka. In this first series, we spent a grueling 10 days traveling around the country in monsoon season and when Sri Lanka was in turmoil. We arrived when the country was holding strict curfews, there were desperate fuel shortages, and every day was a challenge. However, the excitement of the farmers and their teams when we arrived helped us to keep going under very difficult situations.
The farmers we met not only shared their stories and their processes with us, but they also openly shared with each other to help build the specialty tea industry of Sri Lanka. They have formed their own organization called CATA (Ceylon Artisan Tea Association). We were blessed to meet such warm and friendly, sharing people and we thank them.
We have a small group of farmers in our series to showcase the work being done in Sri Lanka in the handcrafted, specialty tea market. We hope you enjoy and can share in their passion. We also hope you can go on to experience some of the teas."
Sharyn Johnston
SHARYN JOHNSTON
Follow Sharyn by checking her website SHARYN JOHNSTON
and if you have a chance to visit Geelong, Australia, don't forget to visit Sharyn's shop - TEACHA Tea Bar - for a stunning tea collection and high tea experiences.
107 Ryrie St, Geelong VIC 3220, Australia
+61400918892
BY THE WAY
As you might already noticed we have a new section called - BLENDS - where you can find tea created by Sharyn and we are very excited to have some of them in our collection. Don't forget to check them out because they are unique and rare.
Made from pure Camellia Sinensis and blended to achieve complex, balanced, and unique flavour. Bringing tea blending to another level we want to pay tribute to the tea blending art and pay attention to this part of the tea industry usually ignored by Gongfu tea connoisseurs.