In short: Kotagala Plantations, Mayfield is a black tea estate in Sri Lanka's Central Province at 1,343 metres, operated by Kotagala Plantations, Mayfield and recorded as supplying Finlays.
Kotagala Plantations, Mayfield is a tea estate situated in the Central Province of Sri Lanka at an elevation of 1,343 metres above sea level. It is operated by Kotagala Plantations, Mayfield and is known to supply Finlays, a significant player in the global tea supply chain. The estate produces black tea.
Terroir & Climate
At 1,343 metres, Kotagala Plantations, Mayfield sits in the mid-elevation band of Sri Lanka's Central Province, a zone where estates typically experience moderate temperatures and relatively high humidity year-round. This elevation generally places the estate above the hottest lowland zones but below the highest, slowest-growing peaks, and tea gardens at this altitude often benefit from a balance between yield and the development of flavour compounds. The Central Province's equatorial latitude means there is little seasonal temperature variation, though the southwest and inter-monsoons tend to shape the growing cycle, with many estates in the region experiencing two main cropping periods.
Estates at this elevation in Sri Lanka often produce leaf with moderate astringency and a balance of body and brightness, characteristics typically associated with mid-grown Ceylon teas. The altitude tends to moderate the pace of leaf maturation without the pronounced slowness found at the highest elevations, and the climate generally supports consistent vegetative growth. Soil composition and microclimatic variation within the estate boundaries will influence the final cup, but the elevation and latitude provide a framework that typically favours teas with a rounded, versatile character.
Tea Produced
Kotagala Plantations, Mayfield produces black tea. Estates at this elevation in Sri Lanka's Central Province typically yield black teas with moderate body, a balance of astringency and smoothness, and the brisk, slightly citric brightness often associated with mid-grown Ceylon leaf. Teas from this altitude band generally offer a versatile cup suitable for both straight consumption and blending, though the specific character of Mayfield's output will depend on plucking standards, processing technique, and the particular flush. Mid-elevation Ceylon blacks tend to lack the pronounced delicacy of high-grown teas but equally avoid the heavier, sometimes flat notes that can mark the lowest elevations.
Supply Chain & Market Position
Kotagala Plantations, Mayfield is recorded as supplying Finlays, a major international tea company with a significant presence in sourcing, blending, and distribution. Finlays operates across multiple origins and channels tea into both retail and foodservice markets worldwide, suggesting that Mayfield's output is likely destined for blends, branded packets, or bulk supply to downstream buyers. The connection to a buyer of Finlays' scale indicates that the estate is integrated into established commercial supply chains and is capable of meeting the quality and volume expectations of a professional procurement operation.
- Recorded supplier to Finlays
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Kotagala Plantations, Mayfield lies at 6.9691, 80.6535 in Central Province, Sri Lanka. Its 1343 m elevation is the 26th highest of 93 estates we map in Central Province. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Wattegodde Tea Estate — under 1 km away · Nuwara Eliya
- Holyrood Tea Estate — 2.7 km away · Nuwara Eliya
- Maskeliya Plantations, St. Clair — 3.5 km away
- Maskeliya Plantations, Talawakelle — 3.5 km away
- Talawakelle Plantations, Great Western — 3.5 km away
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Kotagala Plantations, Mayfield
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Kotagala Plantations, Mayfield (1,343 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Kotagala Plantations, Mayfield recorded 3,746 mm in 2025, 97% more than the 1,905 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Panniar Tea Estate | Idukki, India | 1,351 m | 2,349 mm | 22.7 °C |
| Madulsima Plantations, Battawatte | Uva Province, Sri Lanka | 1,333 m | 2,709 mm | 23.7 °C |
| Lingia Tea Estate | West Bengal, India | 1,332 m | 2,294 mm | 21.9 °C |
| NJERU | Box 241 - Meru, Kenya | 1,354 m | 1,229 mm | 24.9 °C |
| Mcleod Russel Uganda Limited(Mrul), Ankole Tea Factory, Kalinzu Garden | Fort Portal, Uganda | 1,357 m | 943 mm | 27.4 °C |
Kotagala Plantations, Mayfield Compared with Central Province
In Central Province, Kotagala Plantations, Mayfield is wetter than 65% of the others by 2025 rainfall; higher than 73% of the others by elevation; cooler than 89% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Kotagala Plantations, Mayfield 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 | Kotagala Plantations, Mayfield | Region median | Region range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 1,343 m | 1,202 m | 37 to 1,924 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 3,746 mm | 3,152 mm | 2,071 to 4,839 mm |
| Mean daily high | 21.9 °C | 23.1 °C | 19.1 to 30.1 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 15.2 °C | 16.4 °C | 12.4 to 22.2 °C |
Observed Climate at Kotagala Plantations, Mayfield (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Kotagala Plantations, Mayfield’s coordinates recorded 3,746 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was November (952 mm) and the driest was February (29 mm). Daytime highs averaged 21.9 °C and overnight lows 15.2 °C over the year; April was the warmest month and August the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 3,746 mm |
| Wettest month | November (952 mm) |
| Driest month | February (29 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 21.9 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 15.2 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Kotagala Plantations, Mayfield located?
Kotagala Plantations, Mayfield is in Central Province, Sri Lanka, at coordinates 6.9691, 80.6535, at an elevation of about 1343 metres.
Who operates Kotagala Plantations, Mayfield?
Kotagala Plantations, Mayfield is operated by Kotagala Plantations, Mayfield, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Kotagala Plantations, Mayfield produce?
Kotagala Plantations, Mayfield is recorded as producing black tea.
Which buyers does Kotagala Plantations, Mayfield supply?
Public supplier disclosures record Kotagala Plantations, Mayfield as supplying Finlays.
How much rain does Kotagala Plantations, Mayfield receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 3,746 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in November (952 mm).
How does Kotagala Plantations, Mayfield compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Kotagala Plantations, Mayfield recorded 3,746 mm in 2025, 97% more rain than the 1,905 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].
