In short: Pothotuwa Tea Factory is a black tea producer in Beralapanathara, Sri Lanka, operating at 304 metres elevation with a workforce of 223.
Pothotuwa Tea Factory is a tea estate and processing facility located in Beralapanathara, Sri Lanka, at an elevation of 304 metres. The estate operates under the name Pothotuwa Tea Factory and employs a workforce of 223. It produces black tea.
Terroir & Climate
At 304 metres above sea level, Pothotuwa sits firmly in Sri Lanka's low-grown tea zone, where the island's humid tropical climate exerts a strong influence on the growing cycle. Estates at this elevation typically experience warmer temperatures and more consistent rainfall throughout the year than their high-grown counterparts, conditions that tend to encourage vigorous vegetative growth and faster flush cycles. The latitude of approximately 6.3° north places the estate within a few degrees of the equator, where seasonal variation is muted and the photoperiod remains relatively stable year-round.
Low-grown Ceylon teas are generally characterised by these warm, moist conditions, which often yield a leaf that is robust and quick to mature. The terroir at this altitude tends to favour strength and body in the cup rather than the more delicate aromatics associated with cooler, high-elevation gardens. Soils in Sri Lanka's low country are typically lateritic and well-weathered, a characteristic that can influence drainage and nutrient availability, though specific soil composition at Pothotuwa has not been recorded.
Tea Produced
Pothotuwa produces black tea, the category that dominates Sri Lanka's low-grown output. Teas from estates at this elevation generally brew to a strong, full-bodied cup with good colour and a straightforward, malty character. The warmer growing conditions typical of the low country tend to produce leaf that is less nuanced than high-grown Ceylon but well-suited to blending and to markets that favour strength and briskness. Pothotuwa's output is likely to reflect these regional tendencies, though specific tasting notes or processing styles for this factory have not been documented.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Pothotuwa Tea Factory lies at 6.3230, 80.6043 in Beralapanathara, Sri Lanka. Its 304 m elevation is the 191st highest of 259 estates we map in Sri Lanka. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Porthotuwa Tea Factory — under 1 km away · Kotapola - Urubokka - Mulatiyana Rd
- Andaradeniya Tea Factory — 4.2 km away · Andaradeniya Rd
- Andaradeniya Estate, Galaxy — 4.5 km away · Southern Province
- New Deniyaya Tea Estate — 5.1 km away · A17
- Lumbini Tea Factory — 5.4 km away · District -Matara
Observed Climate at Pothotuwa Tea Factory (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Pothotuwa Tea Factory’s coordinates recorded 2,650 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was November (510 mm) and the driest was February (52 mm). Daytime highs averaged 27.8 °C and overnight lows 21.6 °C over the year; April was the warmest month and January the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 2,650 mm |
| Wettest month | November (510 mm) |
| Driest month | February (52 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 27.8 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 21.6 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Pothotuwa Tea Factory located?
Pothotuwa Tea Factory is in Beralapanathara, Sri Lanka, at coordinates 6.3230, 80.6043, at an elevation of about 304 metres.
Who operates Pothotuwa Tea Factory?
Pothotuwa Tea Factory is operated by Pothotuwa Tea Factory, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Pothotuwa Tea Factory produce?
Pothotuwa Tea Factory is recorded as producing black tea.
How much rain does Pothotuwa Tea Factory receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 2,650 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in November (510 mm).
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].
