Dehiwatte

Dehiwatte is a tea estate located in the Central Province of Sri Lanka, at an elevation of 534 metres above sea level. The estate produces black tea and is recorded as a supplier to Finlays, a major tea packer and distributor. The operator of the estate is not currently documented in industry records.

Terroir & Climate

At 534 metres, Dehiwatte occupies what is typically classified as low-grown terrain in Sri Lankan tea nomenclature. Estates at this elevation generally experience warmer, more humid conditions than their high-grown counterparts, with the Central Province's bimodal monsoon pattern bringing two distinct wet seasons. The relatively lower altitude tends to encourage faster leaf growth and a shorter plucking cycle, characteristics common to low-grown Ceylon teas.

The Central Province benefits from a combination of monsoon rains and intermediate temperatures that can support year-round production, though the intensity and character of the leaf typically vary with seasonal rainfall. Estates at this elevation often contend with higher ambient temperatures, which generally promote vigorous growth but can also influence the balance of polyphenols and other compounds that shape the final cup.

Tea Produced

As a black tea producer at low-grown elevation, Dehiwatte is likely to yield teas characteristic of the Central Province low-grown style: brisk, full-bodied liquors with good strength and colour. Teas from estates at this altitude typically offer a straightforward, robust cup with less of the delicate complexity associated with high-grown Ceylon teas, but with the boldness and body that make them well suited to blending and to breakfast-style infusions. The relatively fast-growing leaf common at this elevation generally contributes to a darker, more assertive character in the cup.

Supply Chain & Market Position

Dehiwatte's recorded relationship with Finlays places the estate within the supply chain of one of the world's largest tea businesses. Finlays operates as both a major buyer and packer, sourcing leaf from estates across Sri Lanka and other origins for its own blending operations and for onward sale to retail and foodservice clients globally. Supplying Finlays typically indicates that the estate's production meets the volume, consistency, and quality standards required for incorporation into commercial blends destined for international markets.

• Recorded supplier to  Finlays

Location & Neighbouring Estates

Dehiwatte lies at 7.2209, 80.5720 in Central Province, Sri Lanka. Its 534 m elevation is the 87th highest of 94 estates we map in Central Province. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:

• Udayakanda — 3.1 km away
• Namunukula Plantations, Hindagala — 3.9 km away · Uva Province
• Watadeniya — 4.0 km away
• Elpitiya Plantations, Deviturai — 4.6 km away
• Embilmeegama — 5.0 km away

Estates at a Similar Altitude to Dehiwatte

Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Dehiwatte (534 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Dehiwatte recorded 2,513 mm in 2025, 19% more than the 2,115 mm average across these estates: at the same height, local weather and exposure matter as much as elevation.

Estate	Where	Elevation	Rain 2025	Mean high
Kadigalahena	Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka	534 m	2,664 mm	27.5 °C
New Hopewell	Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka	535 m	2,664 mm	27.5 °C
James Finlay (Guizhou) Tea Co.Ltd.	Guizhou province, China	572 m	1,604 mm	22.2 °C
J Llorente Y Cias A	Misiones, Argentina	482 m	1,810 mm	25.7 °C
Ariel	Route 14 / Km 962 / Dos de Mayo () Misiones, Argentina	479 m	1,831 mm	25.3 °C

Dehiwatte Compared with Central Province

In Central Province, Dehiwatte is drier than 92% of the others by 2025 rainfall; lower than 92% of the others by elevation; warmer than 88% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Dehiwatte against the 93 other estates we map in Central Province, so you can see whether it is typical for its region or an outlier.

Measure	Dehiwatte	Region median	Region range
Elevation	534 m	1,203 m	37 to 1,924 m
Annual rainfall (2025)	2,513 mm	3,152 mm	2,071 to 4,839 mm
Mean daily high	27.6 °C	23.1 °C	19.1 to 30.1 °C
Mean overnight low	19.7 °C	16.4 °C	12.4 to 22.2 °C

Observed Climate at Dehiwatte (2025)

ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Dehiwatte’s coordinates recorded 2,513 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was November (752 mm) and the driest was February (12 mm). Daytime highs averaged 27.6 °C and overnight lows 19.7 °C over the year; May was the warmest month and January the coolest.

Metric	2025 value
Annual precipitation	2,513 mm
Wettest month	November (752 mm)
Driest month	February (12 mm)
Mean daily high	27.6 °C
Mean overnight low	19.7 °C

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Dehiwatte located?

Dehiwatte is in Central Province, Sri Lanka, at coordinates 7.2209, 80.5720, at an elevation of about 534 metres.

What type of tea does Dehiwatte produce?

Dehiwatte is recorded as producing black tea.

Which buyers does Dehiwatte supply?

Public supplier disclosures record Dehiwatte as supplying Finlays.

How much rain does Dehiwatte receive?

ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 2,513 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in November (752 mm).

How does Dehiwatte compare with estates at a similar elevation?

Dehiwatte recorded 2,513 mm in 2025, 19% more rain than the 2,115 mm average of estates at a similar elevation.

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].