Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/491365
20 STiR tea & coffee industry international allergies. The catechins in tea are also thought to reduce blemishes and freckles and to firm the skin, and they offer protection from ultraviolet light and so can help slow down the skin's aging process. Tea's Vitamin C is thought to help prevent the formation and accumu- lation of melatonin in the skin and so helps to reduce the development of dark age spots. And the amino acids in tea help tone and firm the skin. Application of extract of Shizuoka-grown green tea in the mositurizers and soaps is thought to give a supple, firm and smooth-tex- ture to the skin. Learn more http:// from-s.jp/english/soh-cha-soap/ Institute (TRI) in 2011. The purple tea varietal contains high levels of anthocya- nins which have powerful antioxidant, health-enhancing properties. including Ceylon tea tasting sessions, tea inspired workshops and James Taylor tours of places associated with his family, will take place on Aug. 22-23 and on the 24th tearooms and village halls across The Howe O' The Mearns and Scotland will be taking part in an Afternoon Tea Extravaganza Guinness Book of Records challenge that aims to serve more than 600 cream teas! To learn more contact Marion Robson: admin.dicksonhall@btconnect.com KENYA Kenya Teas Featured in Dubai Kenya continues to strive for premium tea quality and the introduction of more specialty teas. At the 5th Global Dubai Tea Forum in April, an important tea tasting focused on CTC black teas from several Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) estates as well as a selection of orthodox black teas, some outstanding green teas and an exceptional white tea from Kangaita Estate, where orthodox machinery has been available for several years. Kangaita is also growing the 'purple tea' varietal, which was officially released by the Kericho Tea Research SRI LANKA Climate Change Research Dilmah has partnered with the Univer- sity of Colombo's Department of Zoology to initiate the first research station to be solely dedicated to climate change research in Sri Lanka. Construc- tion of the Climate Change Research Station at Kahawatte Plantations' Queensberry Estate in Nawalapitiya is expected to be completed this year. As an island, Sri Lanka is especially vulner- able to climate change and its related weather conditions including drought, flood, intensity of rainfall and the related occurrence of landslides. Dilmah Conservation identified a need for improving the space and capacity for local field research on the causes and impacts of climate change in Sri Lanka, especially on the quality and productivity of tea, which is dependent on environ- mental factors such as temperature, rainfall and solar. This is of particular relevance given that the impacts of climate change are expected to be most prominent at higher elevations where tea is cultivated. Learn more: www.dilmah- conservation.org SCOTLAND First Scottish Tea Festival Scotland's first tea festival will take place from Aug. 22-24 in Laurencekirk, the birthplace of 'The Father of Ceylon Tea' James Taylor. Although still revered in Sri Lanka, few people know anything about this pioneer of tea cultivation in Sri Lanka in the 1860s and 70s. The three day event will open with a 'James Taylor Exhibition' that will also feature Scottish tea grower and grocer Sir Thomas Lipton, the East India Company, the story of the tea clippers, and the health benefits of tea. Various events, Second Tea Farm in Perthshire The Fife-based Wee Tea Company was set up two years ago by Jamie Russell and Derek Walker, initially as specialist tea blenders. However they are now growing their own tea at Dalreoch where their plantation is home to 2,000 plants with plans to extend this to 14,000. The leaves are already being harvested and could make their way into local brews as early as 2015. "The tea definitely has its own taste – it's quite a delicate and almost nutty flavor," said Russell. "Scotland is blessed with clean air, fresh spring water and good soil. In many ways, our growing conditions are ideal. The plantation is situated on a hillside where the plants grow at 230 meters (750 feet) above sea level and there's a natural Highland spring there, so we have fresh water rolling off the hillside and watering our tea plants." Also working on the cultivation of the plants, Tam O'Braan has developed a range of cutting-edge techniques to protect the plants against high winds and frost and allow them to develop their root systems. Lear more at www.weeteacompany.com or email: info@weeteacompany.com