Our story
From Sri Lanka to Scotland
POLKATU began with a simple idea: share a piece of Ceylon heritage in a form you can hold. Each goblet starts life as a coconut shell in Sri Lanka and finds a new home at tables around the world.
Rooted in Ceylon
Inspired by Sri Lanka's coconut-growing tradition and its famous tea culture. The material we work with is already there, growing on the trees.
Each shell is unique
Natural grain and colour mean your cup will be slightly different from every other one. The grade is the same; the character is not.
The handcraft process
How a POLKATU cup is made
- 01
Selecting mature shells
Well-formed, mature coconut shells are chosen by hand for size and strength.
- 02
Cleaning
Each shell is cleaned inside and out and left to dry.
- 03
Shaping & sanding
The bowl is cut and shaped, then sanded smooth by hand.
- 04
Turning the stem & base
A stem and base are turned and fitted to give the goblet its shape.
- 05
Polishing with a natural finish
The cup is polished to bring out the shell's natural grain and warmth.
- 06
Quality check
Every cup is inspected by hand before it is packed and sent on its way.
Care for your cup
Look after it, keep it longer
- Hand-wash gently and dry thoroughly after use.
- Keep it out of the dishwasher and microwave.
- Rub a little food-safe oil into the outside now and then.