We are Ceylon and Beyond

What is Ceylon?

Maddy and Harsha — Sat, 11 Mar 2023 18:05:50 +0000

Sri Lanka was colonised by the Portuguese (1597-1658), the Dutch (1658-1796) and the British (1815-1948). When the Portuguese arrived in Sri Lanka, they built a series of coastal forts and seized control of much of Sri Lankas coastline, driving the Sinhalese inland to Kandy and the hill country. There is not much of the original fort they established at Colombo left to see, but it has shaped the whole layout of the city and today the fort area houses many of the Sri Lankan capitals most important buildings. Other Portuguese forts were established all around the coast and interesting examples can be seen at Galle, Matara, Batticaloa, Trincomalee, Jaffna, Mannar and Kalpitya, although some, such as the fort in Galle were developed extensively by the Dutch later. Asides from forts, visitors to Sri Lanka will notice the Portuguese influence is still prevalent in some other aspects of society – in the many Roman Catholics, in the many Portuguese surnames (De Silva, Perera, Medis, etc), in words that have crept into the Sinhalese language and in food (think fantastic cakes and breads).

As well as developing the Portuguese forts, the Dutch pushed further inland and introduced their own unique architectural style and cultural influence. The Galle fort area has, without question, the most famous examples of Dutch architecture in Sri Lanka, but there are others to be found, such as the old Dutch hospital in Colombo, thought to be the oldest surviving building in the city and now home to stylish boutiques and fashionable restaurants. Like the Portuguese, the Dutch influence can also be seen in many of Sri Lanka’s names – Dutch forenames such as ‘Cornelis’ and ‘Johanna’ are not uncommon among the Sinhalese and place names in Colombo and Galle include ‘Hulft’s Village’, ‘Wolvendaal’ and ‘Leyn Baan Street’. Although the Dutch Calvinist strand of Christianity has taken less hold in Sri Lanka than Catholicism has, aspects of the Roman-Dutch law which were introduced back in 18th century still form an important cornerstone of the Sri Lankan legal system.

Being the most recent of the three colonisers, it is perhaps unsurprising that the British influence in modern day independent Sri Lanka is the most noticeable. Although Sri Lanka won its independence from the British Empire at the same time as India, in 1948, it remained a dominion of the British Empire until 1972, when its name officially changed from Ceylon to Sri Lanka. It is certainly true that wherever you visit in Sri Lanka nowadays, you will see evidence of British rule. Be it a colonial style government building, a train winding through the hill country, a group of school children or a game of street cricket, you are never far from something that evokes the British Empire.

Much of the infrastructure found in modern Sri Lanka originated from the British colonial rule. The education system is largely modelled on that which the British Christian missionaries introduced and still includes many faith schools (both Buddhist and Christian). Many of the educational qualifications work in the same way and you may, for example, find your guide talking nostalgically about doing his ‘O-levels’. Many schools are still housed in the original British built buildings, as are some official buildings, the Post Office in Nuwara Eliya is a fine example of this, as is the National Museum in Colombo. It is not just the official buildings which remain from British rule, but in recent years some of the beautiful tea planters’ bungalows found throughout the hill country have been lovingly transformed into magnificent world class boutique hotels – see Ceylon Tea Trails, a collection of luxurious colonial style bungalows near Hatton, Stafford Bungalow near Nuwara Eliya or the Rosyth Estate House at Kegalle, to name just a few.

Of course, it would be impossible to write about British influence in Sri Lanka without bringing up tea production. When they took over the hilly region to the southeast of Kandy, the British tested out the fertile land on a number of crops and came to the quick conclusion that this was the perfect terrain to grow tea. British run tea estates of all sizes quickly popped up all over the hill country, producing huge amounts of tea to export to other parts of the empire and beyond. This not only introduced an industry which continues to be very important in modern Sri Lanka, but it has also resulted in a large Tamil population in this part of Sri Lanka as the British brought in thousands of Indian Tamils to work on the plantations.

Whilst there are a few Portuguese and Dutch words that have crept into the Sinhalese language, it was again the British colonisers who had the greatest influence on language in Sri Lanka, with Sinhalese, Tamil and English being recognised as the three official languages. Not only is English taught in all schools, but visitors will find that street signs are in English and the level of spoken English is good in most places, although don’t rely on being able to communicate so well if you’re visiting Jaffna and some of the less visited parts of northern Sri Lanka or other rural parts.

The final point about British colonial influence in Sri Lanka that we wanted to highlight, but by no means the least, is cricket. From large, packed stadia showing international games to schools to beaches to carparks, you are never far from a game of cricket or someone willing to talk for hours about the state of the Sri Lankan national team. Sri Lankan’s love the game of cricket unconditionally, it is a match made in heaven!

What is Ceylon? The Island of Many Names

Maddy and Harsha — Sat, 11 Mar 2023 18:02:19 +0000

Originally known as Lanka, the name highlighted the island’s geographical isolation.
The Sanskrit-derived term Tambapanni emphasized the abundance of copper resources on the island.
Serendib, an Arabic/Persian term translating to ‘the lion’s island,’ added a majestic touch to its identity.
The colonial period introduced the distorted Arabic term Ceylon, reflecting an external perspective.
Post-republic status led to the adoption of Sri Lanka, a self-declared title meaning the ‘resplendent island,’ encapsulating the nation’s vibrant cultural heritage.

This historical journey through names showcases the diverse influences that have shaped Sri Lanka’s multifaceted identity over the centuries.

Lunch buffet at the RWA Bristol

Maddy and Harsha — Sat, 11 Mar 2023 18:00:45 +0000

We were booked by local organisation ACH to provide a curry buffet lunch for their event, Firming Foundations Raising Roofs 23, at the RWA in Clifton.

We provided a rice and curry buffet lunch and later on our speciality Sri Lankan vegetable rolls to feed their 100 guests!

Ceylon Tea

Maddy and Harsha — Sat, 11 Mar 2023 17:59:15 +0000

Ceylon tea is produced on the island nation of Sri Lanka, formerly known as Ceylon. Sri Lanka is small, but it has an enormous range in elevation, climate, soil type, plant varietals, and weather, so the flavors and character of the teas produced there vary greatly. Despite the regional nuances, a classic Ceylon flavor is generally thought to be bold, full, and brisk. It has medium-to-full tannins and some notes of citrus, chocolate, or spice.

To brew Ceylon tea, fill a teapot and teacup about halfway with hot water to preheat them, then pour the water out. Add about 1 teaspoon leaves per 8 ounces of water to the teapot. Fill with boiling water (194 to 205 F), cover the pot, and steep for 3 to 5 minutes. Once the leaves settle at the bottom of the teapot, agitate the tea to allow proper extraction. The longer the tea brews, the greater the caffeine content and strength of flavour.

When buying Ceylon tea, purchase loose leaf for optimum quality; alternatively, purchase tea bags. Genuine Ceylon tea displays a unique lion logo on the package. The logo is owned by the Sri Lankan Tea Board and is trademarked around the world. Store the tea in a clean airtight container in a cool and dry place, away from moisture, heat, light, and pungent odors.

Although some Sri Lankan producers are branching out in their offerings to include green tea and other tea types, most Ceylon teas are black teas. There are seven tea-growing regions in Sri Lanka, and Ceylon teas are categorized by three different altitudes: high grown (above 4,000 feet), medium grown (between 2,000 and 4,000 feet), and low grown (from sea level up to 2,000 feet).

Nuwara Eliya

Nuwara Eliya is the highest elevation tea-producing area in Sri Lanka. It is also located in the center of the island, west of Uva and north of Dimbula. Its terroir produces tea with a delicate, floral fragrance and light, brisk flavor. The high elevation teas of Nuwara Eliya are exceptional iced or served with lemon.

Uva

Uva is a high-grown tea and perhaps the most famous tea-growing region in Sri Lanka. It is located in central Sri Lanka, east of both Nuwara Eliya and Dimbula. The territory of Uva produces black tea with a distinctively sweet flavor and woodsy aroma that can handle a bit of milk. Some white teas are also produced in Uva.

Dimbula (or Dambulla):

Dimbula is a tea-growing region in central Sri Lanka. It is the southernmost of the three well-known regions. As a region of mountain slopes, the terroir ranges greatly with the elevation. Some teas are full-bodied, while others are delicate, but most are mellow in flavor.

Uda Pussellawa:

Uda Pussellawa is close to Nuwara Eliya, in a region that has heavy rainfall. Its tea is similar to tea from Nuwara Eliya, but darker, with a pinkish hue and a stronger flavor.

Kandy:

Kandy is a medium-level elevation district that produces mid-grown teas, which vary in flavor depending on exposure to monsoon winds. The tea is generally full-bodied, malty, and copper-hued.

Ruhuna and Sabaragamuwa:

Ruhuna and Sabaragamuwa are lower elevation regions that produce low-grown black teas with a full flavor, rich hues of orange and reds, with notes of honey, chocolate, and caramel. Most of the teas grown in these regions are processed as orange pekoes and flowery orange pekoes.

A Visit from the Mayor

Maddy and Harsha — Sat, 11 Mar 2023 17:25:05 +0000

We were truly honored to host the esteemed Mayor at the Eco-Living Market in Bridgwater, where our commitment to sustainable living takes center stage. The Mayor graciously sampled one of our culinary highlights – the vegan Sri Lankan rolls, a testament to our dedication to offering delicious and environmentally conscious food options. These delectable rolls have quickly become one of our best-selling items, capturing the hearts and taste buds of our community.

At our market, we strive to create a space that promotes eco-friendly practices and supports local businesses. The Mayor’s visit underscores the importance of embracing sustainable living choices, and we are thrilled that our vegan Sri Lankan rolls resonated with her palate. We look forward to continuing to serve our community with innovative, planet-friendly offerings that make a positive impact on both taste and the environment.

University of Bristol – official suppliers!

Maddy and Harsha — Sat, 11 Mar 2023 17:24:46 +0000

Bristol Eats proudly showcased its culinary prowess at the University of Bristol supplier day, standing shoulder to shoulder with the city’s top caterers. Our presence underscored our commitment to delivering exceptional dining experiences. Specializing in diverse offerings, we bring forth a range of options, from convenient lunch bags and delightful lunchtime buffets to sophisticated corporate event catering. Elevate your gatherings with our exquisite canapé and dinner party menus, meticulously crafted to impress every palate.

Our representation at this esteemed event highlights our dedication to culinary excellence and customer satisfaction. Bristol Eats is more than a catering service; we are your partners in creating memorable moments through delectable food. Whether it’s a casual lunch or an elaborate corporate affair, trust Bristol Eats to elevate your events with our unparalleled gastronomic expertise. Explore our diverse menu options and let us cater to your culinary desires, leaving a lasting impression on your guests.