Home Quality & Process
From Leaf to Cup: The Quality Standard
Where 150 years of Sri Lankan orthodox craftsmanship unites with cutting-edge international food safety and sensory testing.
The Art of Orthodox Tea Craftsmanship
Unlike mass-produced CTC (Crush, Tear, Curl) industrial teas that pulverize the tea bush into generic dust, Rosenborg produces exclusively Orthodox Ceylon Tea. This delicate method preserves the structural integrity of whole leaves, ensuring essential oils and volatile aroma molecules are locked inside until they bloom in your cup.
Under the stewardship of Benchmark International (Pvt) Ltd, every harvest undergoes five strict processing gates, culminating in independent laboratory testing and sensory cupping by accredited Sri Lankan Tea Masters.
Two Leaves & a BudHandpicked Perfection
The 5 Stages of Ceylon Tea Making
A precise, time-tested sequence that transforms delicate fresh green shoots into shimmering amber orthodox tea.
1. Dawn Harvesting
Only the terminal bud and the tender top two leaves are selectively hand-plucked at daybreak while mountain dew still blankets the bush. Coarse or mature leaves are strictly discarded.
2. Ambient Withering
Freshly harvested leaves rest on ventilated withering troughs for 12 to 18 hours. Gentle ambient breezes reduce leaf moisture by 50%, softening the leaf and concentrating delicate flavor enzymes.
3. Orthodox Rolling
Specialized rolling tables gently twist and rupture the leaf cells without tearing them. This releases essential sap and initiates natural oxygenation under cool, humid highland microclimates.
4. Firing & Drying
At the precise moment the leaves reach their peak amber fragrance, hot-air drying chambers arrest further oxidation, reducing moisture to below 3% and sealing in the deep caramel, malt, and honey notes.
5. Sorting & Grading
Vibrating mesh screens and electrostatic sorters separate leaves into traditional orthodox grades based on leaf size and golden tip density. Zero dust or stalk is permitted in our master packs.
6. Source Sealing
Packed immediately in Colombo, Sri Lanka in airtight food-grade barrier tins and moisture-proof foil liners to prevent humidity absorption during sea and air transport across global markets.
Demystifying Ceylon Tea Grades
In orthodox tea, "grade" refers to leaf particle size and tip density, not quality. Each grade offers a distinct cup character.
Silver Tips
White Tea Imperial Grade
100% velvety young buds handpicked at sunrise. Never rolled or oxidised. Extremely rare, producing a pale silvery liquor with honeyed mountain orchid nuances.
FBOP Special
Flowery Broken Orange Pekoe
Semi-broken leaf interspersed with shimmering golden tips. Offers a harmonious union of rich, brisk maltiness with sweet floral top notes.
OP / OP1
Orange Pekoe Long Wiry
Long, wiry, whole twisted leaves without tips. Takes longer to infuse, producing a light, delicate golden cup with refined aromatic softness.
BOP
Broken Orange Pekoe
Small, neat broken leaf particles. Releases full color and hearty body quickly. The world’s favorite grade for traditional morning milk tea.
Pekoe
Curly Rolled Orthodox
Tightly curled, shotty spherical leaves. Delivers an intensely smooth liquor with pleasant sweetness and lower astringency.
BOPF
Broken Orange Pekoe Fannings
Fine particles ideal for pyramid bags. Rapid infusion that yields a brisk, intensely dark red cup with sharp, refreshing briskness.
The Ceylon Lion Logo of Purity
The famous Lion Logo with 17 swords on its tail is owned and regulated by the Sri Lanka Tea Board. Only tea that is 100% grown, harvested, and packaged in Sri Lanka and meets strict government sensory guidelines is legally permitted to bear this emblem.
The Master Cupping Ritual
Before any batch is cleared for export, our Master Tea Tasters conduct a traditional five-point cupping evaluation:
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1. Dry Leaf Appearance:
Inspected for even twist, blackness, luster, and presence of golden or silvery tips without stalks.
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2. Wet Leaf (Infusion) Bouquet:
The steeped coppery leaves are examined for bright, fresh floral, malt or citrus aromas.
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3. Liquor Clarity & Brightness:
Evaluated in pure white porcelain bowls against natural daylight for sparkle and golden ring halos.
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4. Palate Briskness & Mouthfeel:
Aspirated with oxygen to hit the tongue evenly, testing balance of sweetness, body, and brisk astringency.
International Audited Compliance
Certifications That Protect You
Rosenborg products undergo continuous third-party audits to guarantee absolute purity, hygiene, and ethical compliance.
Good Manufacturing Practice
Quality Systems
Food Safety Management
Alliance
Ecology Certified
Trade
Worker Welfare