What are the best varieties of black tea? where does Ceylon black tea, the world's top black tea brand, come from?

Tea is the cornerstone of Sri Lanka, its people and culture. Tea is not only the heart of the Sri Lankan people, but also has become one of the most important pillars of the Sri Lankan economy. In 1824, the Peradeniya Botanical Garden in Kanti planted the first non-commercial tea trees of these two varieties, camelia sinensis and assamica. Commercial cultivation in Sri Lanka began in 1867, when it was called Ceylon, and the tea grown in Sri Lanka is still famous for the name Ceylon. The British began to grow tea in an organized way after the establishment of the first tea garden at Loolecondera Manor. In Sri Lanka, tea is mainly grown in the central mountains and lower areas in the south. These tea growing areas are clearly divided into different areas, each of which is famous for producing unique tea. Different regions, different topography, different soil composition, different rainfall patterns and different climatic conditions create a unique quality of leaves and cups! Let's take a look at the different tea-growing areas in Sri Lanka.

Kangdi

Historically, Kanti marks the beginning of Ceylon tea industry. Kanti is in the middle of the plateau. However, although the capital is located in a relatively low-lying valley, the property itself is located on the surrounding mountains. Ceylon tea from the Kanti region is often described as "medium growth" and is grown between 650m and 1300 m (2000-4000 ft) above sea level. Most of the estates in the Candy area are located on the western slopes of the nearby hills, so their tastes are largely affected by the "Western quality season", which means that the best Ceylon tea is produced in the first quarter of each year. when the cool, dry weather begins throughout the region. The range of taste and shape depends on altitude and whether the plantation is protected by the monsoon, but the taste of most plantations is very bold. Kanti tea is mainly a strong and full-bodied wine. They are the favorite of many tea connoisseurs!

Timbra

Timbra is one of the first areas to be planted after tea replaced coffee in the 1970s, and it is one of the most famous names of Ceylon tea. Timbra is famous for some of the best Ceylon teas and sits on a picturesque plateau. The name of the area comes from the valley in the center of the area. Dinbura was also one of the first areas to try to grow tea. Even today, most people in Timbra are plantation workers. The plantations are located between 3500 and 5500 feet (1100 to 1700 meters) above sea level and cover the western slope of the area. The best Ceylon tea in Timbra is produced in the first quarter of each year, when the whole area is cool and dry. The range of taste and shape depends on altitude and whether the plantation is protected by the monsoon, but the taste of most plantations is very bold.

Nuvala Elia

Nuvalaelia, also known as Little England, is arguably the most beautiful region in Sri Lanka. Because Nuwara Eliya is unique, so its tea is also unique, cypress aroma, wild mint and eucalyptus menthol floating in the air, forming a unique taste of tea. As far as tea connoisseurs know, Nuwara Eliya, located 6250 feet (1900 meters) above sea level, is the home of Ceylon tea, just as champagne is to French wine. It is light brewed and is a very smooth cup of tea. It can also be refreshed with ice. These Ceylon teas have exquisite floral aromas and a light, light taste. Popular varieties include whole-leaf orange white oil (OP) and broken orange white hair (BOP).

Wuwa

Uva is located in the eastern part of the hilly area, where the weather alternates between heavy rain and high temperatures all the year round. Strong winds disrupt the normal photosynthesis of plants, and the contrast between cold nights and warm days leads to chemical changes in tea plants. These two factors together endow tea wine with unique characteristics of "deer foot grass". These teas usually grow at elevations of 900m and 1500 m (3000-5000 ft).

Luhanna

Luhanna grows slowly, the climate is hot and humid, there is plenty of rain all year round, and shrubs confidently produce new leaf buds regularly. Most of the tea grown on the low slopes here is processed into orange white tea (OP) and flower orange white tea (FOP). Their beautiful leaves are silky and twisted neatly, and their jet-black leaves are often mixed with silver or golden buds. They produce a full-bodied red wine that is full-bodied, full-bodied, juicy and with a hint of honey and chocolate.

Sri Lanka has many different regions, different climatic conditions and different soils, where tea can be grown with unique and diverse flavors, which is synonymous with each region. From the tea garden to the production process, the care of tea leaves makes Ceylon tea maintain the best quality in the world. Basilur pays tribute to this wonderful feature of Sri Lankan tea through its Ceylon leaf collection, where we have planned the best tea collection from every tea growing area in Sri Lanka!