• Sohan Jayasena on reimagining wellness for the global market through Sri Lankan herbs and spices 

Sri Lanka has long been synonymous with rich, aromatic exports, from Ceylon Tea to globally sought-after spices. Yet, for decades, much of this heritage had left the island in its rawest form, with limited value added locally. Today, however, a new generation of entrepreneurs is seeking to change that narrative, transforming traditional knowledge into refined, experience-led products that could stand confidently on the global stage.

At the centre of this shift is Mild Earth Founder Sohan Jayasena, whose flagship product Wild Mist Water has been positioned as “a spice blend derived from Sri Lanka’s ancient wellness heritage”. More than just a beverage, it represents an attempt to rethink how Sri Lankan ingredients and the stories behind them are experienced, both locally and internationally.

Achieving a perfect balance

The origins of the product traces back to a deeply personal yet widely relatable context. “Stemming from the pandemic and the many flus going around, I wanted to improve our immunity in general,” Sohan said. 

What began as a simple habit of brewing coriander gradually evolved into a process of exploration. “I started adding different spices, testing combinations, and playing with flavours, just because I enjoy cooking and experimenting.”

Over time, that experimentation took on greater intention. “It came to a place where it was a blend of six spices – cinnamon, cloves, coriander, black seeds, rosemary, and lemongrass,” he said. “It wasn’t like a typical herbal drink. It was something very mild, very refreshing.” 

That distinction became central to the product’s identity – subtle, accessible, and designed for everyday use rather than occasional consumption.

The process, however, was far from immediate. What began as a casual experiment evolved into a two-year journey of refinement. “I worked on the recipe, the roasting styles, the timings, the cut styles, everything,” he noted. “The goal was to get that perfect balance where it remains refreshing and mild.” 

Bridging tradition and modernity

Importantly, the philosophy behind the product is reliant on Sri Lanka’s generational knowledge of spices and utilising spices for numerous purposes. 

“This was based on what had been passed down in Sri Lanka for decades,” he explained. “These spices are known for their properties across generations. We are not directly claiming anything about the brew; we are simply recognising what has already been known.”

This grounding in tradition, paired with a contemporary approach to branding, reflects Sohan’s own background in marketing and strategy. 

“From a young age, I was fascinated by spices,” he recalled. “I would go to supermarkets and just explore the spice aisle, the fragrances, the variety, even how they were packaged.” That early curiosity later evolved into a more critical realisation about Sri Lanka’s export economy. 

“About 80% of our spices are exported as raw materials,” he noted. “But when those same materials are processed elsewhere, they are turned into high-value products. We are doing the hard work, but not capturing the full value.” For Sohan, this became a defining insight. “I felt it was time to export experiences, not just ingredients.”

This idea lay at the heart of Mild Earth. Rather than simply introducing another product into an already saturated market, the brand sought to create a new category, one that blended wellness, storytelling, and intentional living. Wild Mist Water, he explained, was designed for “times of pause, times of reflection, moments of quiet”.

“Luxury today is not what it used to be,” he said. “The year feels like a month, the month feels like a day. We are constantly moving. So luxury, in the present time, is stillness. It’s the ability to pause.” In this sense, the product became more than a drink; it became part of a ritual.

This positioning appeared to resonate particularly with younger consumers. “We saw that close to 35% of our patrons are older Gen Z,” he noted. “They are very aware of wellness, but they are also overwhelmed – by social media, by the pace of life. So they are actively seeking moments of reflection and mindfulness.” 

Focus on sustainability

At the same time, the product was also designed with a strong emphasis on sustainability and ethical sourcing. 

Mild Earth works with a long-established manufacturing partner that sources ingredients through a network of distributors, collectors, and farmers. “They have been in the industry for many years,” Sohan said. “They maintain very close relationships across the supply chain, and that’s important for ensuring balance.”

Sustainability extends beyond sourcing. “Even our deliveries are climate-conscious,” he explained. “We use electric vehicles, and those vehicles are charged through solar.” 

Packaging, too, reflects this commitment. “We try to minimise plastics as much as possible. The main product is in a metal canister, and the inner packaging is paper-based. Even though it’s more expensive, we choose the better, greener option where we can.”

Navigating challenges

Yet, as with many emerging brands, the journey has not been without its challenges. One of the most significant, Sohan noted, lay in the supporting ecosystem. 

“Support manufacturing services like packaging and printing need to come up to global standards,” he said. “If that improves, businesses like ours can source more locally and build stronger systems within Sri Lanka.”

Similarly, while there is existing institutional support for exporters, he sees room for growth. “Guidance and direction is there,” he acknowledged. “But it can be more personalised, especially for new exporters who need that initial direction to navigate international markets.”

Despite these challenges, Sohan emphasised that the entrepreneurial journey had also been shaped by strong support systems. “One thing that has helped me a lot is having a group of mentors,” he said. “They guide you, they challenge your thinking, and they help you make better decisions.”

A far-reaching vision

Beyond its functional role, the product is also positioned as an intentional gift. 

“Right now, gifting options are quite standard – clothing, perfumes, chocolates,” he explained. “But those are often chosen without much thought. We wanted to create something that feels more intentional, something that shows you’ve really considered the person you’re giving it to.” This thinking led to the introduction of curated gift boxes, designed to elevate the experience further.

The product itself is offered in four distinct blends, Quiet Renewal, Gentle Revival, Pure Serenity, and Pure Stillness, each subtly adjusting the balance of spices to create a different sensory experience. “We don’t call them flavours,” Sohan noted. “Because these are not artificial flavours, these are actual spices – spice blends, rather – with real variations in their composition.”

Ultimately, however, the vision extends far beyond a single product or brand. For Sohan, Mild Earth is part of a larger ambition, to reposition Sri Lanka’s place in the global conversation. “I would like to see Ceylon spices take a place on the global stage, similar to Ceylon Tea,” he said. “If Mild Earth can contribute to that shift, even in a small way, that would be a success.” 

In that sense, what Mild Earth represents is not just innovation, but translation – the ability to take something deeply rooted in Sri Lankan culture and present it in a way that resonates with the modern world. It is a reminder that sometimes, the most powerful ideas are not entirely new, but rather rediscovered, refined, and shared differently.

And in doing so, they have the potential to carry Sri Lanka onto the global stage – not just as a source of ingredients, but as a source of ideas.