Ceylon tea

Ceylon teas are basically Sri Lankan teas. Ceylon enjoys some martial advantages concerning the suitability of the tea plant to its specific features. Climate and plantation altitudes are very favorable to the growth of tea on the island.

Ceylon tea varies considerably in flavor according to the elevation and district in which the estate is situated.

Teas from the estates in the low country have practically no distinctive flavor; while a choice flavor is produced by estates of medium elevation, and a very choice lemon favor is characteristics of tea grown in certain areas and in districts more than 6,000 feet above sea level.

Humid air and ample rainfall furthered the development of the plant and shortened the growing period. Usually it takes between three and six years until the tea shrub finally becomes productive. But under favorable conditions Ceylon teas can be plucked for the first time after two (lower elevations) to five years (higher elevations).

Most of Ceylon’s tea production takes part in two areas in the South West of the country at between 3000 and 8000 feet above sea-level.

Ceylon tea is widely acknowledged as the finest in the world. Ceylon planters consider their product more carefully plucked, culled and prepared and Ceylon’s tea is known as a high quality product that regularly fetches a premium price on the world market for most grades.

In general terms a good quality black Ceylon tea will deliver a bright golden color and a brisk, crisp taste with reminiscence of citrus.
Ceylon tea

Suitable soil for tea plants

The first desiderata in selecting the site for tea-plantation are soil and climate the best mode of cultivation, system of manufacture and cost of production. A rich loamy soil, sand and vegetable matter; is of a yellow colour is the best suited for tea; but eceteria paribus, the various soils suitable for cereals are also suited for tea. The great object is to insure deep soil free from rocks and stones.

A probably moist climate,such as may be found at elevations of from 2500 to 5000 get above the level of the sea, are most suitable and in localities free from all influence of hot winds in summer.The decrease in soil moisture causes the desiccation damage on the young tea leaves.

Rainfall in the the area of the world varies from less than 1000 mm to 6000 mm in a year. the minimum quantity of rain required to sustain healthy growth depends on the soil and other environmental conditions and cultural factors which are connected with loss of water from the soil and the tea plant.

The plants are very sensitive to the soil acidity. They cannot survive in alkaline soil. The optimum pH of soil for growing tea ranges between 4.5 and 6.5. One of the reasons that tea does well in regions with a high rainfall is that the ling term leaching of the soil contributes to soil acidity.
Suitable soil for tea plants