A Tea Estate is designated low-growing, mid-growing or high-growing based on the altitude of its factory. Hence, the 7 Ceylon Tea Regions are segregated by this measure:
Low Grown: Sea Level to 2000 Feet (609.6 metres)
- Ruhuna
- Sabaragamuwa
Mid Grown: 2000 – 4000 Feet (609.6 – 1,219.2 metres)
- Kandy
High Grown: Above 4000 Feet (1,219.2 metres)
- Dimbula
- Uva
- Uda Pussellawa
- Nuwara Eliya
Low Grown Teas - RUHUNA
- Ruhuna lies in the eastern part of Sri Lanka’s Southern Province. The tea-growing terrain is coastal plains with low hills towards the interior.
- It lies within the ‘wet zone’ watered by the southwest monsoon. The climate is warm and humid with plenty of rain.
- Planting here, in the foothills of the central massif, began in the early 1900s.
- The tea factories in Ruhuna are most famous for their large-leader Orange Pekoes (OP) and Flowery Orange Pekoes (FOP) whose leaves are wiry and jet black.
- These teas give thick, strong, full-bodies, juicy liquors with hints of honey and dark chocolate.
Low Grown Teas - SABARAGAMUWA
- The tea estates in Sabaragamuwa lie on slopes that climb up towards Kandy through hills where there are many fast-running streams and waterfalls. The area is full of gemstones that have been washed down over the centuries.
- The climate is hot and humid with rains from the south-west monsoon. This is a large area, so weather patterns and the character of the teas varies widely.
- Eastern areas such as Sabaragamuwa produce teas that are very black and strong.
Mid Grown Teas - KANDY
- The town of Kandy was once the capital of the island and lies in a valley on the western side of the Central Highlands. The Kandy region is generally warm and humid with plenty of rain.
- This is the oldest tea growing area of the island.
- The tea in Kandy is farmed on both large estates and by smallholder farmers who sell their leaf into the local factories.
- The black teas range in character from delicate and subtle to strong and full-bodied.
High Grown Teas - UVA
- The Uva region lies on the eastern side of the Central Highlands
- During most of the year, the weather is warm and humid, resulting in Uva teas becoming mellow and smooth.
- The tea bushes suffer the onslaught of the Cachan wind; a powerful, cool, drying wind that sucks up everything in its path. The bushes dry, windy conditions concentrate lots of flavour and quality into the leaves but cause them to grow very slowly.
- When they start growing again once the rains come, the teas have a totally unique intense, wintergreen, mentholated character.
High Grown Teas - DIMBULA
- Dimbula lies on the western side of the Central Highlands at altitudes above 4,000 feet (1,219.2 metres)
- Teas from this region are fragrant and delicate.
- In the months of February and March, a cool wind blows through the district. Teas made during this period are bright, fresh and lively, often with hints of spice, cypress and citrus fruits.
High Grown Teas - UDA PUSSELLAWA
- This region lies on the eastern side of the Central Highlands, on the edge of Uva and leading up to Nuwara Eliya.
- Altitudes here are above 4,000 feet (1,219.2 metres).
- The land in Uda Pussellawa is almost entirely used for tea cultivation.
- Plantations in upper Uda Pussellawa are closer to Nuwara Eliya and gain the benefit of dry cold conditions that give teas with strong liquors, a slightly rosy colour, and a hint of roses on the aroma.
- During the more humid, warmer months, the teas give dark amber liquors that are strong and vibrant.
High Grown Teas - NUWARA ELIYA
- This rugged mountain area is Sri Lanka’s highest tea region and lies at altitudes of up to 8,000 feet (2,438.4 metres).
- The name means ‘city on the plain’ or ‘city of light.’
- The climate is cool and misty, with moderate rainfall.
- The teas grow quite slowly and have a refined character that has hints of eucalyptus, cypress, ripe grapes and plums in the aroma and flavour.
