Tea Tasting and Tea Factory Visit

Sri Lanka ranks as the fourth largest tea producer globally. The British introduced tea to Sri Lanka in 1867, and today, the country is known for producing some of the finest tea worldwide, previously referred to as Ceylon Tea.

A trip to Sri Lanka is incomplete without visiting a tea factory and indulging in tea tasting with jaggery. Many tea factories provide tours that offer a firsthand look at the tea processing. Some tours and factories even allow you to pick tea leaves for tasting. Additionally, you'll learn how to brew a perfect cup of tea. The finest tea plantations are found in the hill country, especially en route to Nuwara Eliya or Kandy.

Whether you are a tea enthusiast or not, the experience is captivating. Here, you'll discover loose tea leaves rich in flavor. The taste and variety of tea vary depending on their growing location. Tea from higher elevations is produced in the hill country, while tea from lower elevations is grown closer to the coast.

The most renowned tea plantations are situated in Kandy, Ella, Nuwara Eliya, Haputale, UVA, Uda Pussellawa, Dambulla, Sabaragamuwa, and Kadugannawa, covering much of the hill country. For a unique experience, you can choose to stay at a tea estate. Below are some of the best tea plantations where you can relax for a few days.

Ceylon Tea Trails - Hatton

Ashburnham Estate - Kandy

Madulkelle Tea and Echo Lodge - Kandy

Goatfell - Nuwara Eliya

Heritance Tea Factory - Nuwara Eliya

Kahanda Kanda - Galle