Elpitiya Plantations, Meddecombara North

Elpitiya Plantations, Meddecombara North is a tea estate situated in the Central Province of Sri Lanka at an elevation of 1,912 metres. The estate operates under the name Elpitiya Plantations, Meddecombara North and is recorded as a supplier to Finlays. It specialises in the production of black tea.

Terroir & Climate

At 1,912 metres above sea level, the estate occupies a position in the upper reaches of Sri Lanka's Central Province highlands, where altitude typically exerts a pronounced influence on the growing cycle. Estates at this elevation generally experience cooler ambient temperatures and greater diurnal variation, conditions that tend to slow leaf development and can contribute to a more gradual accumulation of flavour compounds. The latitude—just under seven degrees north of the equator—means that day length remains relatively consistent throughout the year, while the monsoon systems that traverse the island generally bring distinct wet and dry periods to central highland zones.

The combination of elevation, tropical latitude and exposure to monsoon patterns tends to create an environment in which tea bushes grow more slowly than in lower-altitude regions. Cooler temperatures at this altitude often allow for a longer withering period during processing, and estates in similar settings frequently produce leaf that is valued for its potential to yield teas with clarity and structure. Soil composition in the Central Province highlands is typically derived from weathered metamorphic rock, and drainage at higher elevations is generally good, reducing the risk of waterlogging during periods of heavy rainfall.

Tea Produced

The estate produces black tea, the style most commonly associated with Sri Lanka's high-altitude gardens. Estates in the Central Province at comparable elevations often yield teas that exhibit a bright, brisk character with a clean astringency, though individual cup profiles depend on factors including flush timing, processing technique and weather conditions during the growing period. High-grown Ceylon black teas from this altitude range are typically valued for their brightness and structured body, qualities that have historically made them well-suited to blending as well as single-estate presentation.

Supply Chain & Market Position

The estate is recorded as supplying Finlays, a major name in the global tea trade with a significant presence in sourcing, blending and distribution. This relationship places Meddecombara North within a supply chain that serves both retail brands and foodservice channels across multiple markets. Finlays' involvement suggests that the estate's output meets the quality and volume standards expected by large-scale buyers operating in internationally competitive segments of the tea industry.

• Recorded supplier to  Finlays

Location & Neighbouring Estates

Elpitiya Plantations, Meddecombara North lies at 6.9710, 80.7697 in Central Province, Sri Lanka. Its 1912 m elevation is the joint 2nd highest of 93 estates we map in Central Province. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:

• Kelanivalley Plantations, Nuwara Eliya — under 1 km away
• Luckyland Tea Estate — 1.5 km away · Nuwara Eliya-Uda Pussellawa Rd
• Pedro estate — 2.9 km away · Nuwara Eliya
• Agalawatte Plantations, Weddemulla — 3.2 km away
• Kotagala Plantations, Craigie Lea — 3.2 km away

Estates at a Similar Altitude to Elpitiya Plantations, Meddecombara North

Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Elpitiya Plantations, Meddecombara North (1,912 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Elpitiya Plantations, Meddecombara North recorded 3,152 mm in 2025, 85% more than the 1,707 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
Chepkumia Tea Factory	Nandi, Kenya	1,912 m	2,070 mm	23.2 °C
Havukal Estate	Kotagiri, India	1,915 m	1,459 mm	20.0 °C
Kipchimchim Group, Tet Tea Factory Co. Ltd, Laibei	Kericho, Kenya	1,915 m	1,535 mm	23.4 °C
Southtee Handel	Ximeng, China	1,907 m	2,285 mm	20.0 °C
MUSHUBI	GICUMBI, Rwanda	1,899 m	1,186 mm	22.7 °C

Elpitiya Plantations, Meddecombara North Compared with Central Province

In Central Province, Elpitiya Plantations, Meddecombara North is drier than 51% of the others by 2025 rainfall; higher than 98% of the others by elevation; cooler than 99% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Elpitiya Plantations, Meddecombara North against the 92 other estates we map in Central Province, so you can see whether it is typical for its region or an outlier.

Measure	Elpitiya Plantations, Meddecombara North	Region median	Region range
Elevation	1,912 m	1,202 m	37 to 1,924 m
Annual rainfall (2025)	3,152 mm	3,206 mm	2,071 to 4,839 mm
Mean daily high	19.3 °C	23.1 °C	19.1 to 30.1 °C
Mean overnight low	12.4 °C	16.4 °C	12.4 to 22.2 °C

Observed Climate at Elpitiya Plantations, Meddecombara North (2025)

ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Elpitiya Plantations, Meddecombara North’s coordinates recorded 3,152 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was November (713 mm) and the driest was February (42 mm). Daytime highs averaged 19.3 °C and overnight lows 12.4 °C over the year; April was the warmest month and July the coolest.

Metric	2025 value
Annual precipitation	3,152 mm
Wettest month	November (713 mm)
Driest month	February (42 mm)
Mean daily high	19.3 °C
Mean overnight low	12.4 °C

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Elpitiya Plantations, Meddecombara North located?

Elpitiya Plantations, Meddecombara North is in Central Province, Sri Lanka, at coordinates 6.9710, 80.7697, at an elevation of about 1912 metres.

Who operates Elpitiya Plantations, Meddecombara North?

Elpitiya Plantations, Meddecombara North is operated by Elpitiya Plantations, Meddecombara North, according to public supply-chain records.

What type of tea does Elpitiya Plantations, Meddecombara North produce?

Elpitiya Plantations, Meddecombara North is recorded as producing black tea.

Which buyers does Elpitiya Plantations, Meddecombara North supply?

Public supplier disclosures record Elpitiya Plantations, Meddecombara North as supplying Finlays.

How much rain does Elpitiya Plantations, Meddecombara North receive?

ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 3,152 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in November (713 mm).

How does Elpitiya Plantations, Meddecombara North compare with estates at a similar elevation?

Elpitiya Plantations, Meddecombara North recorded 3,152 mm in 2025, 85% more rain than the 1,707 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].