Sri Lanka patented Ceylon Tea Wine is expected to hit the market as early as in two months, Chairman of the island’s Tea Research Board, Chinthaka Lokuhetti said.
The patent for Ceylon Tea Wine has been sold to International Distillers Limited to commercialize, after calling for public tenders for which there were 20 odd respondents.
“I think there will be a big demand for this,” Lokuhetti told reporters Monday. “There is a big demand for Ceylon Tea and there will be a big demand for Ceylon Tea Wine.”
“It has a good taste and aroma.
The trials have been completed and the product is being readied for the market, he said.
Lokuhetti said the patent was not used for 18 years and now there is about 2 years left and steps were taken to commercialize it.
Sri Lanka’s Tea Research Board and Tea Research Institute had its origins started in 1925 as a branch of the Planters’ Association to solve problems relating to the tea industry including diseases near Linfield Estate in Nuwara Eliya.
In 1929 the labs and equipment were shifted to the St Coombs Estate. It now had 20 Ph.D holders and other scientists.
