In short: Elpitiya Plantations, Sheen is a black tea estate in Sri Lanka's Central Province at 1,200 metres, operated by Elpitiya Plantations, Sheen and recorded as supplying Finlays.
Elpitiya Plantations, Sheen is a tea estate located in the Central Province of Sri Lanka at an elevation of 1,200 metres. The estate is operated by Elpitiya Plantations, Sheen and is known to supply Finlays, one of the major players in the global tea trade.
Terroir & Climate
At 1,200 metres above sea level, this estate sits in the mid-elevation zone of Sri Lanka's Central Province, where temperatures are generally cooler than at sea level and diurnal variation tends to be more pronounced. Estates at this altitude in Sri Lanka typically experience conditions that slow leaf maturation, which can contribute to the development of flavour compounds in the leaf.
The Central Province lies within the tropical monsoon belt, and tea cultivation at this latitude generally benefits from two monsoon seasons that shape the annual cropping cycle. Mid-elevation estates in this region often produce leaf year-round, though quality and character can vary with the monsoon pattern. The combination of moderate altitude and equatorial latitude tends to support steady vegetative growth without the extremes of dormancy seen at higher latitudes.
Tea Produced
Elpitiya Plantations, Sheen produces black tea. Estates in the Central Province at this elevation typically yield teas with a balance of body and briskness, though cup character can vary considerably depending on specific microclimate, processing method, and seasonal conditions. Mid-grown Ceylon teas are often valued for their versatility and are frequently used in blends, though some are also marketed as single-estate or single-origin offerings where quality and consistency warrant it.
Supply Chain & Market Position
The estate is recorded as supplying Finlays, a vertically integrated tea company with operations spanning cultivation, blending, packing, and distribution. Finlays sources tea from multiple origins and sells to retailers, foodservice operators, and branded tea companies worldwide. The presence of Finlays as a buyer suggests that Elpitiya Plantations, Sheen is positioned within a supply chain oriented toward both bulk and value-added markets, with production likely meeting the volume and consistency standards required by a major multinational intermediary.
- Recorded supplier to Finlays
Operator
The estate is operated by Elpitiya Plantations, Sheen. No other estates under the same operator are currently recorded in this directory.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Elpitiya Plantations, Sheen lies at 7.0051, 80.6751 in Central Province, Sri Lanka. Its 1200 m elevation is the 49th highest of 93 estates we map in Central Province. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Elpitiya Plantations, Kaipoogalla — 1.6 km away
- Elpitiya Plantations, Dunsinane — 2.3 km away
- Kotagala Plantations, Mayfield — 4.7 km away
- Agalawatte Plantations, Labookellie — 5.3 km away
- Wattegodde Tea Estate — 5.4 km away · Nuwara Eliya
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Elpitiya Plantations, Sheen
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Elpitiya Plantations, Sheen (1,200 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Elpitiya Plantations, Sheen recorded 3,312 mm in 2025, 59% more than the 2,077 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aislaby Tea Estate | Bandarawela, Sri Lanka | 1,202 m | 2,308 mm | 24.8 °C |
| BUHWEJU | Opposite Redcross Offices, Uganda | 1,196 m | 1,265 mm | 26.4 °C |
| Malwatte Valley Plantations, Sarina Group, Neluwa | Uva Province, Sri Lanka | 1,191 m | 2,319 mm | 24.7 °C |
| Shangba Tea Farm | Zunyi City, China | 1,189 m | 1,714 mm | 18.2 °C |
| Gayabaree \u0026 Millikthong Tea Estate | Purba Phuguri Tea Garden, India | 1,212 m | 2,778 mm | 21.2 °C |
Elpitiya Plantations, Sheen Compared with Central Province
In Central Province, Elpitiya Plantations, Sheen is wetter than 54% of the others by 2025 rainfall; lower than 52% of the others by elevation; warmer than 52% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Elpitiya Plantations, Sheen 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, Sheen | Region median | Region range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 1,200 m | 1,203 m | 37 to 1,924 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 3,312 mm | 3,152 mm | 2,071 to 4,839 mm |
| Mean daily high | 23.2 °C | 23.1 °C | 19.1 to 30.1 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 16.6 °C | 16.4 °C | 12.4 to 22.2 °C |
Observed Climate at Elpitiya Plantations, Sheen (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Elpitiya Plantations, Sheen’s coordinates recorded 3,312 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was November (1,006 mm) and the driest was February (16 mm). Daytime highs averaged 23.2 °C and overnight lows 16.6 °C over the year; May was the warmest month and February the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 3,312 mm |
| Wettest month | November (1,006 mm) |
| Driest month | February (16 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 23.2 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 16.6 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Elpitiya Plantations, Sheen located?
Elpitiya Plantations, Sheen is in Central Province, Sri Lanka, at coordinates 7.0051, 80.6751, at an elevation of about 1200 metres.
Who operates Elpitiya Plantations, Sheen?
Elpitiya Plantations, Sheen is operated by Elpitiya Plantations, Sheen, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Elpitiya Plantations, Sheen produce?
Elpitiya Plantations, Sheen is recorded as producing black tea.
Which buyers does Elpitiya Plantations, Sheen supply?
Public supplier disclosures record Elpitiya Plantations, Sheen as supplying Finlays.
How much rain does Elpitiya Plantations, Sheen receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 3,312 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in November (1,006 mm).
How does Elpitiya Plantations, Sheen compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Elpitiya Plantations, Sheen recorded 3,312 mm in 2025, 59% more rain than the 2,077 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].
