New Vithanakanda

Teas grown in Sri Lanka fall into 3 categories according to their elevation. New Vithanakande is low grown in the S.W. of Sri Lanka. This estate, along with Uruwala Estate, another tea we sell at Dorothy’s Teas, are 2 of the best estates in this area. The owners have worked tirelessly to produce teas of character and quality not normally found at this elevation. Most of the land in this part of Sri Lanka is owned by farmers with small holdings who sell the green tea leaf, freshly plucked, to the local tea estates. At New Vithanakande up to 100 lorries of green leaf can arrive at the tea factory each day from the surrounding area. A close eye is kept on the quality of the raw leaf ensuring the reputation of the estate is maintained as well as guaranteeing the best price for the farmers. A truly delicious tea which is as beautiful to look at as it is to drink!

New Vithanakande FBOPF ex SP 1 is indeed extra special!  The estate is situated in the lowland area of S.W. Sri Lanka which is not normally known for this type of high quality tea. However, the tea makers here have developed a type of production that teases out the delicious flavours. The leaves are briefly withered but then very gently and slowly rolled before being placed in a vertical cylinder with sieve at the base. As the leaves rotate the smallest and choicest ones fall through the sieve retaining their silvery tips. The leaves are then oxidised for longer than normal, encouraging the cocoa flavours, and finally fired. The tea before being packed is sorted by hand to ensure the best of quality. Only tea plucked when the weather is fine is used, producing a cup with clarity, clearness and a fuller, creamy mouthfeel