In 1972, Ceylon became the Republic of Sri Lanka, taking a name with deep roots in the island’s own languages. Many things changed — but the island’s most famous export kept its old name.
A name worth keeping
By then, “Ceylon tea” had been known around the world for a century. Tea buyers trusted it, shoppers recognised it and packets carried it proudly. Changing it would have meant starting again.
Ceylon tea today
Today “Ceylon tea” means tea grown and made in Sri Lanka. The Sri Lanka Tea Board promotes it worldwide, and its Lion logo appears on packs of pure Ceylon tea that are packed in Sri Lanka and meet its quality standards.
So when you see “Ceylon” on a pack, you are reading a piece of history — a name that has travelled the world in a teacup.
