One Man’s Mission, Millions of Cups Later
In 1985, Merrill J. Fernando set out to make tea personal again. Not a commodity. Not a blend of anonymous origins. Grown, picked, packed, and sold direct, Dilmah became the first tea brand to offer fully Single Origin Ceylon Tea, cutting through industry conventions to honour authenticity, ethics, and flavour in every sip.
Today, four decades later, Australians have brewed over 28 billion cups of Dilmah tea. That’s nearly 2 million cups a day, and every single one has poured kindness into communities across Sri Lanka and Australia alike.
28 Billion Cups, 600,000+ Lives Touched
Every time someone in Australia boils the kettle for Dilmah, they’re doing more than making tea. They’re supporting a purpose-led business that dedicates 15% of its pre-tax profits to humanitarian and environmental initiatives.
Here’s just a taste of what Australian tea drinkers have helped make possible:
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100,000+ lives supported through the MJF Charitable Foundation
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500,000+ people receiving healthcare in plantation regions
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6,800+ youth in vocational training
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352 chefs trained through Empower Culinary Schools
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210 new plant species and 40 species of wildlife discovered through Dilmah Conservation
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3 rescued elephants rewilded
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1 million+ cups served annually to Aussies in need via Salvation Army Centres
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Partnerships with Cancer Council and My Room Children’s Cancer Charity
So What’s In Australia’s Tea Cup?
Dilmah recently surveyed Aussies about their tea habits, and the results tell a story steeped in heritage:
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70% learnt to make tea from a parent or grandparent
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66% still brew it the same way
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53% prefer sharing tea with family
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45% identify as “The Purist” - good tea, no distractions
It’s a sentiment shared by Dilhan Fernando, current CEO and son of Merrill J. Fernando:
“I learnt it from my father and now my son is learning it from me.”
Three generations, one mission: to make the world a better tea.
A Rare Release for a Rare Milestone
To celebrate 40 years of Dilmah in Australia, we’ve released something truly special:
The Ruby Anniversary Green Tea - just 40 tins, made exclusively for Australia, hand-delivered by Dilhan and his son Amrit.
Crafted from full leaf green tea grown at Craighead Estate, it’s a fitting tribute to the legacy of tea made with care, purpose, and family. The leaf is delicate and unfurling, with soft citrus and herb notes and a clean, gently complex finish — a beautiful reminder of everything a great cup of tea can be.
Only 40 available. A collector’s tin for those who’ve shared in our journey, cup by cup.
Follow our socials if you want to join the waitlist
The Future of Tea
Dilmah’s 40th anniversary isn’t just a milestone, it’s a moment to look forward. To honour the occasion, CEO Dilhan C. Fernando and his son Amrit are in Australia this June, celebrating the future of purpose-led tea through a series of special events.
From hosting an elixir and gin night out with Dutch Rules Distilling in Melbourne, to running masterclasses at the Sydney Good Food & Wine Show, this tour brings Dilmah’s philosophy of flavour, family and integrity to life.
At the heart of the visit is our 40th anniversary celebration, recognising four decades of Australian support and a renewed commitment to tea with a conscience. That includes a meaningful new partnership with Cancer Council Australia, with Dilmah pledging five years of support for the Biggest Morning Tea initiative.
Want a closer look? Follow us on socials for behind-the-scenes content and sign up to our newsletter to be the first to hear what’s steeping next.
Final Sip
Thank you for being part of this journey. Whether you’ve brewed one cup or a thousand, you’ve helped shape a legacy grounded in kindness, quality, and family.
Here’s to 28 billion cups.
Here’s to 40 years of making the world a better tea.
Here’s to what comes next.
