OUR STORY

IN 1872, A YOUNG CEYLONESE BY THE NAME OF BALAGE POROLIS DE SILVA PLANTED HIS ROOTS IN SINGAPORE

…bringing along with him his love for Ceylon’s finest teas at a jewellery boutique along High Street. Hailing from Sri Lanka where having tea is a daily ritual for relaxation and enjoyment, he wanted to enhance his customers’ appreciation of jewellery with tea. This family-run business has kept his legacy of artistry and craftsmanship alive through five generations. Our name, The 1872 Clipper Tea Co., pays homage to the historic Clipper ships that raced to carry the freshest teas around the world. The 1872 Clipper Tea blends are widely appreciated for its consistency in quality, signature aroma and refined taste. We proudly invite you to be part of our story and to join our community of tea lovers.

LOOKING BACK AT THE LAST 150 YEARS

1872

A young ceylonese Balage Porolis de Silva planted his roots in Singapore, bringing along with him his love for Ceylon’s finest teas at a jewellery boutique along High Street. Since its modest beginnings at a jewellery boutique along High Street 150 years ago, he has been committed to serving quality tea to customers that patronise the jewellery store.

1900s

Business expands and Balage Porolis de Silva started owning tea plantations to harvest and cultivate premium quality teas directly from farm to cup. At one point in time, the family owned up to a third of tea plantations in Sri Lanka. With its crisp, cool temperatures and heavy rainfall, Sri Lanka’s climate was perfect to harvest tea. Here is an exclusive sneak peak of one of the first tea plantations to exist at Rekadahena.

1927

Pictured here is the first official receipt of our tea tray with tea. In the past, tea was prepared, served and consumed with exquisite tea trays. Tea trays served as an elegant yet practical platform to contain the cups, tea pots and any overflow of water discarded when brewing tea.

1979

As part of an expanding business venture, the family incorporated Tea Tang Ltd in Sri Lanka. The company undertook the research and development in all areas of specialty brew, tea blending, packaging, tea sourcing and tea cleaning. It was a fitting match, and before long the business started exporting tea worldwide, including the U.K., Ireland, Europe, Japan and Australia.Image: The fourth office building of Tea Tang @ Maradana.

1980s

The very first Tea Auction in Colombo was held on 30th July 1883 on Queen Street. This photo is a sneak peak of the first auction that Tea Tang participated in. In the past, Tea Auctions were how producers could sell their teas to a wide variety of customers in a reasonable manner and at a fair price. These Tea Auctions are still practised today.

1988

Back in the late 1980s, most tea businesses did not have any brand identity. Our fourth generation leader, Mr Sunil Amarasuriya, decided to register the company and introduce a fresh new identity - The 1872 Clipper Tea Co. With this new brand identity, the aim was to offer top, premium and unique tea in a stylish packaged form that was ideal for gifting. The logo was designed by Thayne Madrid, inspired by Clipper Ships that sailed around the world to deliver the freshest produce in the shortest amount of time.

1990s

Looking back to The 1872 Clipper Tea Co.’s first ever loose leaf tea tin gift set, packaged chicly in a classic and timeless design. The gift set was proudly sold on Sri Lanka’s National air carrier, Air Lanka (currently known as SriLankan Airlines). Travellers from all over the world could purchase these quality teas to indulge on their own or gift these tasteful souvenirs to family and friends.

2016

We launched our flagship retail store at ION Orchard that boasts a first of its kind tea bar that serves hot and cold freshly brewed teas from various ranges, and also includes tea-infused pastries and desserts. Opening the flagship store pays homage to our past and takes us back to the beginning where we have come full circle as a brand. The store is an ode to our rich history and roots, going back to where it all started - serving customers authentic and high quality tea.