Estates
Where We Buy From
High Grown Region
Nuwara Eliya is located 1,900 meters above sea level where the daily temperatures range from a cold 4o C to a cool 22o C and is recognized by tea connoisseurs around the world as one of the finest tea growing areas. Nuwara Eliya’s teas are plucked during the dry season of December to March during the time when the tea peaks.Because the climate and soil Nuwara Eliya is an unique agro-climatic zone that gives distinct characteristics to the teas grown there. Nuwara Eliya resonates with a fragrance of cypress trees, menthol of wild mint and the pungency of pine forests along with the sight of neat rows of temperate fruit and vegetables farmed intensively in every bit of land in between the tea plantations
Its cool and temperate climate also makes Nuwara Eliya is also a favourite holiday location.The plantations are ringed by the Peak Wilderness Nature Reserve that is the source of many of the major rivers of Sri Lanka and the jungle here is the home of Sambhur or Ceylon Elk, Leopard, Wild Boar and the Bear Monkey. Some of the areas bordering the tea plantations on the Southern part of Nuwara Eliya are a source for red and blue sapphires.
Dimbula is one of the most famous names associated with Ceylon tea. It is one of the initial regions where tea was grown during the 1870’s. Seasonal Monsoon rains provides an alternating cold and dry climate that produces a range of full to light bodied and delicate teas. These plantations are located between 1,100 meters to 1,700 meters above sea level and cover the western slopes of the hill country. Dimbula’s peak tea season is from December to March.
Uva Teas
The Uva region is located on the eastern slopes of Sri Lanka’s central mountains and is positioned at an elevation between 1,100 meters to 1,700 meters above sea level. The first quarter of the year which is dry and cold yield a range of rosy scented teas while the second season of the year that is the peak harvest, produces a traditional eastern quality scented tea. Uva teas have a truly unique flavour, embody numerous characteristics and is commonly used in many different blends. The teas distinct flavor also makes it a delicious cup of tea which can be enjoyed just on its own.
Uva is also well known locally for its vegetable farmers and rice fields alongside pinus and eucalyptus forests which surround the tea plantations. It is also a favourite holiday location for its mild and dry climate.
Mid Grown
History states that the tea plant was first grown in the ancient city of Kandy which is located between 500 meters meters above sea level and the tea growing areas in the surrounding hills are where the temperature range is a cool 16o C to a warmer 26o C . Kandy was also the former capital city of the last Kingdom of Ceylon. Teas produced in mid country plantations are full bodied and are best served with milk.
Mid-grown teas from this region peak in the spring when the monsoons are on the other half of the island dumping copious amounts of rain (between 45″-70″ per year). With the tropical climate and monsoon rains, the tea bushes grow year round. This means there is no first or second flush as is the norm, but rather the tea bushes flush with new growth all year.
This is a region where all the flat lands are rice fields, the lower slopes are planted in cocoa and coconut and spices such as cardamom, pepper, clove, nutmeg, and cinnamon, with the higher hills in tea. These teas are also ideal for those who prefer tea that is strong and bursting with flavour and aroma. Pussellawa is located east of Nuwara Eliya and is well known as a region which produces exceptionally high quality teas of medium body and strong flavour.
Low Grown
Ruhuna is located in the southern part of Sri Lanka and is renowned as an area which produces exceptional tea of liquoring strength and fine appearance. With low undulating hills from 100 to 600 meters above sea level, the uniqueness of the teas produced here is widely acknowledged because of its particular advantage of fertile soils and warm climate ranging from 21o C to 31o C. These particular environmental conditions nurture the soil to impart the processed tea leaves with a unique blackness and a strong, distinctive taste. the tea in this region grows abundantly, with large, well proportioned Leaves.
These teas are ideal for those who prefer a cup of tea which is thick and sweet and also strongly to the senses with or without milk.
The areas surrounding the plantations have small rustic villages populated by rural folk who cultivate their rice fields coconut trees, banana plots and spice gardens. The area also borders the majestic Sinharaja Forest Reserve with its wide variety of unique wildlife. Sabaragamuwa has very similar climatic conditions and growing environment to Ruhuna. This is a region where all the flat lands are rice fields, the lowland slopes are planted in spices, rubber and coconut and the higher hills in tea. Some of the areas bordering the tea plantations on the Southern part of Sabaragamuwa are a world famous source for red and blue sapphires.
