Sri Lanka, though a small size country in geographically, it is the fourth largest tea producer in the world with and its total production of over 300,000 tons annually. Sri Lanka exports most of its tea, making it the world’s third largest exporter of tea. Tea is the most delightful, famous and enjoyable beverages in Sri Lanka. For Sri Lankans tea is only second to water. Every single person in the nation enjoys at least three times cups a day. Every occasion or any gathering from small group to large groups of Sri Lankans is celebrated with a cup of tea, and there is no any substitute for tea. Tea has become the drink of the poor man and rich man’s as well. The strength of Sri Lankan tea lies however not merely in the volume of production, but also in its premium high quality and taste. Tea thrives on sloping terrain and it is grown in Sri Lanka in the central highlands and southern inland foothills with various elevations. Sri Lankan tea (Ceylon tea) is vary from small leaf to long leaf teas and from light fragrant cup character to strong, bright colored cup character. Most of the tea in the world market that branded and blended have been enhanced by a percentage of Ceylon Tea. The main and highlighted characteristics of Ceylon tea are the rich, mellow flavor, golden color and pleasant natural aroma which make Ceylon tea more unique and the best in the world. Much of black tea is manufactured in Sri Lanka with a orthodox process. Sri Lankan tea production is only using the manual plucking of tea leaves to make certain that only the unopened bud and two leaves are plucked to guarantee the best quality of tea. 90% of the manual tea plucking is done by ladies. Sri Lanka also produces CTC (Cut, twist and curl) in certain quantity of teas, green teas, silver tea, white tea and organic tea as well.
Nuwara Eliya, Bandarawela, Badulla, Ella, Dimbula, Uda Pussellawa, Kandy, Sabaragamuwa & Ruhuna are the major tea growing regions of Sri Lanka. The total tea cultivation area of Sri Lanka is over 222,000 Hectares. That is nearly 4% of the lands of the country. Tea has become the most important agriculture export in Sri Lanka and this industry provides direct & indirect employment to approximately one million people. Sri Lanka Tea Board is the government body that is responsible for the development, researches and promotions of Ceylon Tea. Also they ensure that all teas produced and exported from Sri Lanka adhere to the minimum standards & qualities.