• World-famous flavor – Ceylon tea is known for its bright, crisp taste and refreshing character.
• Grown only in Sri Lanka – The name “Ceylon” comes from the country’s colonial name, but the tea still proudly carries it today.
• Black tea is the star – While you’ll find green and white teas too, Sri Lanka’s black tea is the most famous.

Ceylon tea’s story goes back to the mid-1800s, when Sri Lanka (then called Ceylon) was a major coffee producer under British colonial rule. However, in the 1860s, a devastating fungus known as coffee blight destroyed nearly all the coffee crops. Faced with economic disaster, planters urgently needed an alternative.

Enter James Taylor, a Scottish planter who is now regarded as the pioneer of Sri Lanka’s tea industry. In 1867, Taylor established the first commercial tea plantation in Loolecondera, near Kandy, with a modest 19 acres of tea bushes. His success inspired others, and soon tea plantations began spreading through the island’s cool central highlands.

By the late 19th century, Ceylon tea had gained an international reputation for its bright, clean flavor and exceptional quality. Tea became one of Sri Lanka’s most valuable exports, transforming the island’s economy and creating thousands of jobs. Over the years, Ceylon tea evolved into a proud national identity, with traditions of craftsmanship and sustainable farming carried forward to this day. When you sip a cup of Ceylon tea, you’re tasting more than just leaves — you’re tasting a legacy that has shaped Sri Lanka for over 150 years.

• Nuwara Eliya – Often called “Little England,” its misty hills and colonial bungalows make it a beautiful base to explore tea estates.
• Ella – Scenic train rides and rolling plantations all around — perfect for photos and fresh air.
• Kandy – Close to the first experimental tea fields; you can visit tea museums here too.
• Haputale – Less crowded, with panoramic views over the southern plains.

Visiting a tea estate in Sri Lanka is so much more than just sipping a hot cup of tea — it’s a chance to truly understand a world-famous tradition. Here are the top experiences tea travelers should look for:

• Touring a tea factory: Watch fresh tea leaves go through withering, rolling, fermenting, drying, and sorting. Many factories, especially around Nuwara Eliya and Ella, open their doors to visitors and happily explain each step in the process. You’ll see firsthand how a bright green leaf becomes the rich golden brew in your teacup.
• Tea tasting: Like a wine tasting, tea tasting introduces you to subtle differences in flavor, strength, and aroma. Professional tea tasters will guide you through different grades of Ceylon tea, letting you smell and taste the variations. It’s a great way to develop your palate and pick up some interesting stories about the tea trade.
• Staying on a tea estate: Many old planters’ bungalows have been beautifully restored and turned into boutique hotels or guesthouses. Waking up surrounded by emerald tea fields, enjoying colonial-style architecture, and relaxing by a crackling fireplace at night is an unforgettable experience.
• Hands-on tea picking: A highlight for many visitors is joining local tea pluckers in the fields. You can learn how to pluck the “two leaves and a bud” by hand and feel the rhythm of a tea worker’s day. It’s a humbling and eye-opening cultural exchange.
• Meeting the people: Beyond the landscapes and factories, tea tourism in Sri Lanka is also about connecting with the hardworking communities who keep this tradition alive. Talking with tea pluckers, factory workers, and estate managers gives you a deep appreciation of how much care goes into every cup.

No matter where you go in Sri Lanka’s hill country, these tea experiences will open your eyes to a proud, living heritage — and leave you with memories as warm and comforting as the tea itself.

• Breathtaking scenery – Rolling hills, waterfalls, misty mornings — it’s picture-perfect.
• Cultural stories – Meet local tea pluckers and see a way of life that hasn’t changed for generations.
• Relax and recharge – The cool highlands offer a peaceful break from coastal heat.
• Support fair-trade and sustainable farming – Many plantations focus on ethical practices and fair pay for workers.

• Best time to visit – December to March is usually dry and clear, ideal for touring hill country.
• Book a guided tour - A local guide will help you discover the hidden gems and explain the tea process in detail.
• Wear layers – It gets chilly in the mountains, even though the sun is strong during the day.
• Try different teas – Don’t stick to black tea alone; Sri Lanka’s green and white teas are excellent too.

• Join a group tea tour – Great if you like meeting other travelers.
• Arrange a private tea estate tour – More personal, with flexibility on timing.
• Combine with other highlights – Many visitors pair tea country with a trip to Sigiriya, Kandy, or the southern beaches.