List of the best tea plantations in Sri Lanka – beyond a cuppa

With a reputation for having mid-grown tea in abundance, largely in part to the prevailing conditions where tea is said to be grown between elevations of 2,000 to 4,000 feet, Kandy in Sri Lanka's central highlands is regarded as the birthplace of Ceylon tea. As the elevation increases, the strength of the liqueur reduces which translates to the region producing a brand of tea that is both stronger and deeper in appearance. Moreover, tea estates that are nestled at a higher elevation have built a reputation for producing subtle and lighter flavoured tea which in turn, has drawn in tea lovers from all walks of life to take turns savouring a cuppa tea, brewed from Kandy.

One of the more conducive environments in which tea cultivation is pursued is Nuwara Eliya or "Little England." The district of Nuwara Eliya with its high altitudes, cool climate and moderate rain spells make tea production a popular pastime and a lucrative source of income. Thus, touring through the area will afford you once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to view scenes of tea pluckers busily attending to their trade, especially during the morning through to late evening times. The liqueurs that are produced from much smaller tea leaves are the lightest when compared with those found in other parts of Sri Lanka. Furthermore, the whole leaf orange pekoe is by far the most popular grade to come out of Nuwara Eliya.

Comprising the Badulla and Moneragala Districts is the Uva Province where a cross-section of grades and particularly, green tea is produced in large quantities. The area is nourished by the southwest and northeast monsoon winds and since it is dominated by rough terrain, the liqueur denotes a distinct flavour and texture which bears reference to the surrounding conditions. Also, the best Ceylon tea Sri Lanka is known for in this part of the nation is produced during the latter half of July through to the end of August each year.

The fine art of tea production was initially invested in Dimbula come the later years of the 19th century with the area soon becoming a favoured destination for high-grown tea. The misty and wet weather would come to the rescue of tea production in Dimbula given that the area only benefits from a sole season where cool, dry winds descend. When pouring a cup of pure Dimbula tea, such as those produced by Anverally & Sons, a golden orange colour will be your constant companion as you taste some of the very best teas known in all of the Emerald Isle.

Though considered a late entrant to Sri Lanka's tea cultivation industry, the area of Ruhuna in the Southern Province is where low-grown tea is sourced. Along with the Sabaragamuwa Province which is the country's largest tea-growing region, Ruhuna contributes to some 60% of the island's tea production. Tea connoisseurs will soon stumble upon the intriguing fact that Ruhuna was where strong dark tea in the nation saw the light of day. Added to this, the flavours and tastes that one will be able to delight in will be more on the malty side but make no mistake, the tea you will have the fortune of sampling will be more than merely a thirst-quencher but a journey worth going on.