Tea plantations in Sri Lanka stretch across the island, offering visitors a chance to taste the leaf while learning about the history of the industry. The country became famous for its black tea in the 18th century and today, Sri Lanka is the world's third largest tea producer, and is home to several tea estates and tea factories.
Address: Lipton's Seat, Lipton Seat Road, Haputale
The 18-hectare estate is home to hundreds of tea plants, and offers visitors the chance to see first-hand how tea is grown and processed. Visitors can also learn about the history of tea in Sri Lanka and the different types of tea that are produced on the estate.
Address: Uva Halpewatte Tea Factory, Ella, Sri Lanka
Being one of the biggest factories in the hill country, Uva Halpewatte tea factory is the perfect staring point for people looking to get to grips with Sri Lankan tea production. Dating from 1940, Halpewatte runs one of the best and most informative tours on the island, taking you through the process from picking to the final product.
Address: Dambatenne Tea Factory, Bandarawela
Dambatenne tea factory is a scenic working tea estate and factory located near Haputale town in Sri Lanka, spreading over acres of the lushest mountain region in the central highlands of the country, on the way to the must-see Lipton Seat viewpoint. Tourists visit this popular tea factory for seeing all the stages of tea production and enjoying the awesome landscape of the valleys that are pleasantly cooler than naturally-cooled Europe. Much of the equipment at the factory being more than a century old, Dambatenne tea estate is an insight into the colonial period of the country as well.
| Tea Grade | How it Looks | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Broken Orange Pekoe (BOP) |
|
A popular leaf size and the main broken grade. This tea infuses faster than whole-leaf varieties, giving way to a liquor that strikes the right balance between taste and strength. |
| Dust |
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The smallest of particles that infuse swiftly, resulting in optimum strength, colour and body. It is most suited for commercial brewing. |
| Gunpowder |
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This green tea dates back to the 1800s and the name originates from the fact that the tea is rolled very tightly into small pellets befitting ammunition used in old muskets. |
| Orange Pekoe |
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Contrary to popular belief, Orange Pekoe refers to a leaf size and not a flavour. Orange Pekoe tea has a strong scent and a smooth flavour with a sweet finish. |
| Silver Tips |
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The finest buds of a special cultivar which turn velvety-silver when dried. Extremely rare, and usually handpicked before sunrise, they offer the gentlest fragrant brew. |
| To read more about tea grades visit: https://teasrilanka.org/tea-grade | ||
