Glen Nevis Plantation Won Top Tea Award
The Kandy-based producer secured the Overall Gold Medal at the 2026 North American Tea Conference.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Tea
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Glen Nevis Plantation has earned the Overall Gold Medal at the 2026 North American Tea Conference. This recognition follows the plantation's long-standing dedication to traditional cultivation methods in the Kandy region of Sri Lanka.
Why it matters
The prestigious award validates the plantation's strategic shift toward prioritizing tea quality over bulk output. This recognition highlights the craftsmanship of small-scale producers supported by organizations like the Ceylon Artisanal Tea Association.
Glen Nevis Plantation was established in 1898 and utilizes manual harvesting for its Aratenna Special Silver Tips. These leaves undergo a traditional process of withering and drying under natural sunlight.
The players
Glen Nevis Plantation
This tea producer is based in the Kandy region of Sri Lanka and has been in operation since 1898.
Arnold and Rajika Perera
They serve as the directors of the Glen Nevis Plantation and oversee its production standards.
Tea and Herbal Association of Canada
This organization manages the North American Tea Conference and serves as a major trade body.
Ceylon Artisanal Tea Association
This group focuses on the promotion and advocacy of small-scale tea farmers across Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka Tea Board
This government entity provides regulatory support and facilitates the international export of Sri Lankan tea.
The details
The plantation, led by directors Arnold and Rajika Perera, maintains its operations with the assistance of the Sri Lanka Tea Board. Its success at the event, organized by the Tea and Herbal Association of Canada, underscores the growing global appreciation for artisanal tea practices.
Timeline
The Glen Nevis Plantation was started in 1898.
The plantation won the Overall Gold Medal in 2026.
Culture Shift
The award reflects a broader consumer movement favoring artisanal, small-batch products over mass-produced alternatives. This shift highlights a departure from traditional industrial agriculture toward high-end, hand-crafted specialty goods that prioritize sustainable and historical techniques.
Consumers interested in the plantation's award-winning tea can look for Aratenna Special Silver Tips as a benchmark for premium quality. Adopting these specialty teas into a daily routine allows drinkers to experience traditional, sun-dried processing methods.
The takeaway
The success of Glen Nevis Plantation proves that maintaining historical cultivation techniques remains a viable path to global success in the modern beverage market. Seek out small-batch producers who highlight their harvesting and drying methods to ensure higher quality in your own tea collection.
Further reading
For more on industry standards and production, visit the Tea section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by FT Sri Lanka.
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