The calming effect of an aromatic cup of tea should not be understated. It is, after all, the second most consumed beverage in the world. And a good portion of it comes from the hilly slopes of Sri Lanka’s verdant Tea Country. The nation is the 3rd largest exporter of tea in the world and has a market share of 10%, amounting to a US$1.5 billion export industry. It isn’t just Ceylon Tea that entices the world but also the tea plantations and factories of the island. So, tag along! We are taking you through the best spots to witness the magic of tea.
Dambatenne
The world-famous Lipton tea, pioneered by Sir Thomas Lipton, was born in the Central Hills of Sri Lanka. Dambetenna, in Haputale, was the first of many plantations acquired by the Scottish tea baron. It is also the site of the Lipton Seat, his favourite lookout, which offers sweeping views of miles of tea-laden hills. On a clear day, the view stretches across seven different provinces. You can tour the beautiful estate, one of the oldest in the country. The factory, built in 1890 by Lipton, is still operated by machinery from the 19th and 20th centuries.
Loolkandura
The story of Ceylon Tea is incomplete without mentioning James Taylor, who, along with Thomas Lipton, forged the island’s tea legacy that continues. Loolkandura, in southeast Kandy, is considered the birthplace of Ceylon Tea. Founded in 1867 by James Taylor, the estate is also known as Loolecondera Estate. It became the first commercial tea plantation on the island. It still has the first tea patch planted by Taylor and the rock seat, frequented by Taylor, affording mesmerising views of the surrounding mountain ranges. Additionally, the estate has one of the longest tea factories in the country (325 ft).
Halpewatte Tea Factory
6km from the picturesque mountain town of Ella, en route to Badulla, is Halpewatte, the largest tea producer in the Uva region of the Tea Country. The factory, built in 1940, is another colonial addition to the tea enterprise. Halpewatte offers a complete tea experience for visitors, with guided tours of the plantation and the factory, handmade tea masterclasses, and tea tastings. You can even try your hand at tea plucking, create your signature blend, taste it and take it home. Try a selection of factory-fresh teas and accompaniments at the cafe and shop for high-quality teas.
Damro Labookellie Tea Factory
Considered the second oldest tea plantation on the island, Damro’s Labookellie (formerly Mackwoods) estate thrives in the cool climes of Nuwara Eliya. The free guided tours take you through the production process, from tea plucking to grading. The Tea Lounge offers an impressive selection of tea varieties and snacks. You can buy exclusive Damro teas at the gift shop.
Pedro Tea Estate
Founded in 1885 on the site where James Taylor planted the first tea bushes in British Ceylon, you can still find 19th-century tea-processing machines here. Walk through the tea bushes, watching the nimble fingers of the pluckers working their way through hundreds of bushes at a rapid pace. At the top of the estate is the Lovers Leap Ethical Tea Boutique, named after the Lovers Leap Waterfall on the opposite side.
Bluefield Tea Estate
The estate and factory in the sleepy village of Ramboda in Nuwara Eliya produce some of the finest organic teas on the island. Ramboda is famous for its namesake waterfall and the longest road tunnel in the country. Trail through the estate, plucking the tender leaves, tossing them into your wicker basket and indulging in the mountain views surrounding you. Watch cleaning, drying, grinding and grading of tea inside the factory. Taste the exquisite blends that seduce the world. Venture heartily into a culinary exploration with Bluefield Restaurant, Pastry Shop and Buffet. Find the perfect signature blend to soothe your senses at the Tea Emporium.
Dunkeld Tea Plantation
On the banks of the Castlereagh reservoir, 20 Km from Hatton, is the panoramic Dunkeld Plantation, managed by Dilmah Tea. Some of its machinery and methodology are over 100 years old. The Dunkeld Bungalow by Tea Trails is only a stone’s throw away. Tours of the plantation and factory offer a quintessential Ceylon tea experience.
Handunugoda Tea Estate
Meet the creme de la creme of low-grown Ceylon tea at Handunugoda estate in Ahangama on the south coast. It is the only coastal tea plantation in Sri Lanka and the only plantation to produce Virgin White Tea, one of the most rare and expensive teas. It follows an ancient Chinese tea ritual. It is the only tea in the world untouched by human hands.
Tea pickers snip the tea buds straight into a ceramic bowl using scissors. They wear white shirts, gloves, shower caps and surgical masks. It is the most antioxidant-rich tea. This 200-acre estate, nestled between the rainforest and the ocean, also contains rubber, cinnamon, pepper and coconut. 150 acres of it grow the prized White Tea, served at some of the most exclusive tea salons in the world. The estate also produces other blends. The producers offer guided plantation visits, factory visits, hands-on experience, tea tasting and shopping.
Following the exquisite trails of Ceylon tea with Blue Lanka Tours
Grown on the mountains, hillsides and lowland plains, the world of tea in Sri Lanka is diverse, beautiful and expansive. The plantations have long fascinated the world, from the colonial planters to those passing by the scenery on a train. It is a canvas of staggering beauty. You also get to learn the secrets behind the artistry of tea. So, next time you brew a cuppa, you know its journey from leaf to box.
Blue Lanka Tours has curated responsible tea tours and trails to suit every palate. Between plucking tea leaves and tasting fresh brews, you can also discover the attractions and experiences around the tea regions. Want to take on the tea-specific Pekoe Trail or spend your days immersed in tea gardens? Let us know how you want to explore the Tea Country of Sri Lanka.