In short: Kahawatte Plantations, Kataboola is a black tea estate in Sri Lanka's Central Province, located at 1,025 metres elevation and operated by Kahawatte Plantations, Kataboola.
Kahawatte Plantations, Kataboola is a black tea estate situated in the Central Province of Sri Lanka at an elevation of 1,025 metres. The estate is operated by Kahawatte Plantations, Kataboola. The Central Province is one of Sri Lanka's principal tea-growing regions, encompassing a range of elevations and microclimates that influence the character of the leaf produced.
Terroir & Climate
At 1,025 metres, Kataboola occupies what is generally classified as a mid-elevation zone within Sri Lankan tea cultivation. Estates at this altitude typically experience moderate temperatures and more consistent moisture than their low-grown counterparts, conditions that tend to support steady vegetative growth throughout much of the year. The Central Province's latitude, approximately seven degrees north of the equator, means the estate lies within the tropical belt where seasonal variation is driven more by monsoon patterns than by temperature extremes.
Mid-grown Ceylon teas from elevations in this range are often understood to occupy a middle ground in the island's flavour spectrum. The cooler nights and adequate rainfall associated with this altitude band generally encourage a slower accumulation of secondary metabolites in the leaf compared to lowland gardens, while lacking the pronounced intensity of high-elevation teas grown above 1,200 metres. These conditions typically favour teas with moderate body and a balance between briskness and depth.
Tea Produced
Kataboola produces black tea. Mid-grown black teas from the Central Province at comparable elevations are typically characterised by a rounded cup with medium body, a degree of brightness, and flavours that tend toward malty or slightly fruity notes without the sharper astringency sometimes found in lower-elevation leaf. Such teas generally offer versatility in blending and are often valued for their consistency and approachable character, though the specific cup profile of any estate will vary with processing choices and seasonal factors.
Operator
The estate is operated by Kahawatte Plantations, Kataboola. No other estates under the same operator are currently recorded in our directory.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Kahawatte Plantations, Kataboola lies at 7.0102, 80.5896 in Central Province, Sri Lanka. Its 1025 m elevation is the 59th highest of 93 estates we map in Central Province. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Harangala — 1.4 km away
- Kahawatte Plantations, Queensberry — 2.6 km away · Western Province
- Kotagala Plantations, Mount Vernon — 6.7 km away
- Goorookoya — 7.3 km away
- Elpitiya Plantations, Kaipoogalla — 8.1 km away
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Kahawatte Plantations, Kataboola
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Kahawatte Plantations, Kataboola (1,025 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Kahawatte Plantations, Kataboola recorded 4,013 mm in 2025, 95% more than the 2,058 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hapugastenne Plantations, New Burgh Green Tea | Uva Province, Sri Lanka | 1,026 m | 2,206 mm | 26.0 °C |
| Namingomba Tea Estates Limited | Thyolo, Malawi | 1,022 m | 1,525 mm | 24.1 °C |
| Malwatte Valley Plantations, Sarina Group, Sarnia Plaiderie | Uva Province, Sri Lanka | 1,022 m | 2,714 mm | 26.6 °C |
| Goomtee Tea Estate | Darjeeling, India | 1,010 m | 2,805 mm | 22.5 °C |
| IGEMBE (Kiegoi \u0026 Igembe Factory) | Igembe South, Kenya | 1,008 m | 1,042 mm | 26.7 °C |
Kahawatte Plantations, Kataboola Compared with Central Province
In Central Province, Kahawatte Plantations, Kataboola is wetter than 76% of the others by 2025 rainfall; lower than 63% of the others by elevation; warmer than 61% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Kahawatte Plantations, Kataboola 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 | Kahawatte Plantations, Kataboola | Region median | Region range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 1,025 m | 1,203 m | 37 to 1,924 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 4,013 mm | 3,152 mm | 2,071 to 4,839 mm |
| Mean daily high | 24.0 °C | 23.1 °C | 19.1 to 30.1 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 16.7 °C | 16.4 °C | 12.4 to 22.2 °C |
Observed Climate at Kahawatte Plantations, Kataboola (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Kahawatte Plantations, Kataboola’s coordinates recorded 4,013 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was November (958 mm) and the driest was February (60 mm). Daytime highs averaged 24.0 °C and overnight lows 16.7 °C over the year; May was the warmest month and February the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 4,013 mm |
| Wettest month | November (958 mm) |
| Driest month | February (60 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 24.0 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 16.7 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Kahawatte Plantations, Kataboola located?
Kahawatte Plantations, Kataboola is in Central Province, Sri Lanka, at coordinates 7.0102, 80.5896, at an elevation of about 1025 metres.
Who operates Kahawatte Plantations, Kataboola?
Kahawatte Plantations, Kataboola is operated by Kahawatte Plantations, Kataboola, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Kahawatte Plantations, Kataboola produce?
Kahawatte Plantations, Kataboola is recorded as producing black tea.
How much rain does Kahawatte Plantations, Kataboola receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 4,013 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in November (958 mm).
How does Kahawatte Plantations, Kataboola compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Kahawatte Plantations, Kataboola recorded 4,013 mm in 2025, 95% more rain than the 2,058 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].
