In short: Empire Teas (Pvt) Ltd is a black tea estate in Angoda, Sri Lanka, operated by Thee Cultuur BV and recorded as supplying the Dutch retailer HEMA.
Empire Teas (Pvt) Ltd is a tea estate located in Angoda, Sri Lanka, at an elevation of just 8 metres above sea level. The estate is operated by Thee Cultuur BV and produces black tea. It is recorded as a supplier to HEMA, the Dutch retail chain.
Terroir & Climate
At 8 metres above sea level, Empire Teas sits in the low-elevation coastal belt of Sri Lanka, near the capital Colombo. Estates at this altitude typically experience warm, humid conditions year-round, with less pronounced seasonal variation than the high-grown districts of the island's interior. Low-elevation tea in Sri Lanka generally grows rapidly in the consistently warm climate, yielding leaf that tends to be larger and darker.
The warm, moist environment common to coastal tea-growing areas typically supports vigorous vegetative growth. Estates in this elevation band often operate continuous plucking cycles, with little of the dormancy seen in cooler upland regions. Such conditions generally favour production volume, though the character of the leaf tends to differ markedly from that of high-grown Ceylon teas.
Tea Produced
Empire Teas produces black tea. Low-grown Ceylon black teas typically yield a bold, full-bodied cup with darker liquor and straightforward, robust character. Estates at this elevation generally produce leaf suited to blending and to applications where strength and colour are priorities. The cup profile common to this altitude tends to be less complex and aromatic than high-grown Ceylon teas, but often delivers body and depth that blenders value for everyday and foodservice applications.
Supply Chain & Market Position
Empire Teas is recorded as supplying HEMA, the Dutch retail and department store chain with a significant own-label food and beverages programme. This relationship places the estate within the supply chain of a European retailer that sources tea for its private-label range, suggesting a role in meeting specifications for quality, traceability and certification that high-street own-brand programmes typically require.
- Recorded supplier to HEMA
Operator
The estate is operated by Thee Cultuur BV, a company based in the Netherlands. No other estates operated by Thee Cultuur BV are currently recorded in this directory.
Certifications & Ethics
Empire Teas holds certification from the Ethical Tea Partnership, a member-driven organisation that works to improve social, environmental and economic conditions in tea-producing regions. Ethical Tea Partnership membership and certification require adherence to standards covering labour rights, health and safety, and environmental stewardship, providing buyers with assurance that production meets internationally recognised benchmarks for responsible sourcing.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Empire Teas (Pvt) Ltd lies at 6.9394, 79.9245 in Angoda, Sri Lanka. Its 8 m elevation is the joint 255th highest of 259 estates we map in Sri Lanka. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Mabroc Teas (Pvt) Ltd — 4.2 km away · New Hunupitiya Road
- Ceylon Tea Marketing Pvt. Ltd - Factory — 5.5 km away · Sedawatte Road
- Shawlands Tea Estate — 5.5 km away · Sedawatte Road
- High Forest Tea Estate — 5.9 km away · Dudley Senanayake Mawatha
- Nuwaraeliya Tea Estate — 7.0 km away · Colombo
Observed Climate at Empire Teas (Pvt) Ltd (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Empire Teas (Pvt) Ltd’s coordinates recorded 2,828 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was November (556 mm) and the driest was February (49 mm). Daytime highs averaged 29.9 °C and overnight lows 24.3 °C over the year; May was the warmest month and January the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 2,828 mm |
| Wettest month | November (556 mm) |
| Driest month | February (49 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 29.9 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 24.3 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Empire Teas (Pvt) Ltd located?
Empire Teas (Pvt) Ltd is in Angoda, Sri Lanka, at coordinates 6.9394, 79.9245, at an elevation of about 8 metres.
Who operates Empire Teas (Pvt) Ltd?
Empire Teas (Pvt) Ltd is operated by Thee Cultuur BV, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Empire Teas (Pvt) Ltd produce?
Empire Teas (Pvt) Ltd is recorded as producing black tea.
Which buyers does Empire Teas (Pvt) Ltd supply?
Public supplier disclosures record Empire Teas (Pvt) Ltd as supplying HEMA.
What certifications does Empire Teas (Pvt) Ltd hold?
Empire Teas (Pvt) Ltd is recorded as holding the following certification(s): Ethical Tea Partnership.
Data sources: public supply-chain disclosures (Ethical Tea Partnership member lists, Rainforest Alliance certificate holders and retailer supplier disclosures); climate figures are ERA5 reanalysis modelled for the estate’s coordinates via Open-Meteo (calendar year 2025); coordinates and elevations from geocoded records. Spotted an error? Email [email protected].
