Tea varieties
What Is Ceylon Tea?
Ceylon tea is tea from Sri Lanka. It is not one single flavor: the island’s growing regions produce cups that can range from delicate and fragrant to strong and full.
Look past the country name
The Sri Lanka Tea Board describes distinct tea-growing regions, including Uva, Dimbula, Nuwara Eliya, Kandy, Ruhuna, and others. Elevation, weather, and production choices shape the resulting tea. A bright high-grown cup may feel very different from a stronger low-grown one.
“Ceylon” remains a familiar trade name for Sri Lankan tea. It can appear as a single-origin tea or as part of a blend. Read the label to see which you are buying.
How to explore it
Try two Sri Lankan black teas from different regions if you can. Brew them with the same water and cup size, using each maker’s suggested leaf and time. Notice body and finish before adding anything.
A fuller Ceylon tea can be a useful base for milk tea; a lighter one may shine plain. The best choice depends on the cup you want.