Kandy Tea Region
The Kandy tea region sits between 2000 and 4000 feet above sea level.
The central province of Sri Lanka situates the Kandy area, which lies between the districts of Nuwara Eliya to the north and Matale to the south.
In 1867, James Taylor established a tea plantation in the Loolecondera estate, Kandy, marking the birth of the Ceylon tea industry. Starting on just 19 acres, he built a fully equipped tea factory in 1872, and the first sale of Loolecondra tea followed.
Today, tea factories produce a variety of tea grades with different leaf-particle sizes, from whole-leaf to semi-broken, including OP Black Tea, OPA, BOP, BOPF, and Green Tea, as well as CTC-style teas.
The leaf particle size affects the strength of the brew, with Kandy teas producing a relatively bright and coppery-toned infusion that’s lighter in the cup but with good strength. However, the tea from Kandy is not as strong as the tea grown in the lower regions of Sabaragamuwa and Ruhuna.
The Kandy region, which has cultivation altitudes ranging between 2000 and 4000 feet above sea level, is described as a ‘mid-grown’ tea area located in the Central Province. The district enjoys cool and dry weather in the first quarter of the year, producing the best tea.
At Hellens Tea, we offer high-quality tea that is carefully selected and crafted to ensure an exceptional flavor and aroma.