CEYLON UNIQUE TEA ENSEMBLEHome / Membership
Membership
Applications open twice a year, in March and September. Inspection is free, takes about a day, and you receive a written report whether you are admitted or not.
Associate
Rs 4,500
per year
- Listed on the register
- Four training sessions a year
- One inspection with a report
- Cuppings as an observer
Full member
Rs 7,500
per year, gardens under 10 ha
- Right to use the seal
- Full profile on the register
- Lab testing and paperwork paid
- Enquiries forwarded direct
- A vote on the standard
Partner
Rs 15,000
per year, buyers and exporters
- Early notice of cleared lots
- Register search with contacts
- Quarterly cupping invitations
- Named on the affiliations page
Questions we get asked
My garden is under one hectare. Is that too small?
No. Volume is not a criterion for full membership. How the tea is made is what matters.
I already sell to an exporter. Can I still join?
Yes. Nothing stops you selling wherever you like. The seal applies to lots, not to you.
Does the ensemble take a share of what I sell?
No commission on any sale, whether the buyer found you through us or not. The annual fee is the only money that changes hands.
What happens if a lot fails at the laboratory?
The lot cannot be sold under the seal. You keep the tea and the full report, and the committee helps you find the source. Failing does not affect your membership unless it becomes a pattern.
Ask before you apply
Not sure which tier fits? Send a note and someone from the committee will call you back.