A backstage pass into the manufacturing process of the legendary Ceylon tea at a lesser known tea factory in the Galle district. Tea grown in the southern parts of the island is known as low country tea, and has a distinct darker colour and stronger flavour than its up country counterpart. Renowned for its exquisite taste and aroma, Sri Lankan tea or Ceylon tea is arguably one of the most premium varieties of tea in the world. Tea was introduced to the island back in 1867 by British entrepreneur and tea planter James Tailor as a substitute for coffee during the early stages of a coffee blight in Sri Lanka. Much to his surprise, with the perfect climatic conditions, tea in Sri Lanka, began to grow and give yields at an unimaginable scale. Even today tea is one of the three main export crops and it substantially fuels the country’s economy. The production of tea is indeed a labour-intensive process and it is done in sprawling factories. The journey of tea from the two leaves and bud to the golden liquid in your cuppa is quite marvellous and can be witnessed at the factory firsthand.
With acres of sprawling land blanketed by tea plantations, Sri Lanka has become one of the largest exporters of tea in the world! The island’s colonial history is deeply instilled in tea and following the tea, trail is one of the most interesting things to do while you are on the island. This southern factory exploration experience brings you up close to witness the intricate process of producing low country tea. During the experience, you will walk through the tea fields and discover how tea is planted and harvested. Then you will head into the tea factory where you will learn how tea is dried and ground to become the granules that create the beverage that is loved and enjoyed by many around the globe. As you wander through the factory you would see a variety of heavy machinery which have undergone very few design changes and in some places, ones that were put together over a century ago are still fully functional.
Highlights
Exclusive access to a tea factory and an opportunity to witness the operation.
Learn the art of tea making.
An interesting tea tasting session that will let you taste and experience different varieties of tea.
Includes
Hosted tour, entrance fees and tea tasting.
Kid-Friendly
Even though young children might not understand the process, they would love to see the large machines at work.
Difficulty & Accessibility
Easy
A short path of the tea field walk and the ground floor of the tea factory can be accessed by wheelchair. The upper floor of the factory and the tea shop are not accessible.
Timings
Approximately 40-50 minutes
Things to Keep in Mind
Wear Something comfortable and light with your favourite pair of sunnies and a sunhat. Sunscreen and an unbrella is always a good idea!
Any of our experiences can be included in your travel itinerary when planning your trip with our travel specialists as we help you plan the best way to include Sri Lankas destinations and experiences into your trip.
To add this or any other experience to your itinerary please get in touch with our travel specialists.
