In short: Pussellawa Plantations, Mooloya is a black tea estate in Sri Lanka's Central Province, operating at 1,153 metres elevation and producing mid-grown Ceylon teas.
Pussellawa Plantations, Mooloya is a black tea estate located in Sri Lanka's Central Province, operating at an altitude of 1,153 metres above sea level. The estate sits within the mid-grown elevation band that characterises much of the Central Province's tea-producing landscape, a zone that typically falls between the lower-altitude plains and the high-grown districts above 1,200 metres. The estate operates under the name Pussellawa Plantations, Mooloya, though publicly available records do not currently identify discrete downstream buyers or supply-chain partnerships.
Terroir & Climate
At 1,153 metres, this estate occupies the upper margin of the mid-grown classification, where the cooler temperatures and increased cloud cover typical of higher elevations begin to exert a moderating influence on growth rates. Estates at this altitude in the Central Province generally experience a slower leaf maturation cycle than their low-grown counterparts, a factor that tends to contribute to greater aromatic complexity and a more structured cup profile. The latitude of approximately 7° north places the estate firmly within the tropical belt, where seasonal variation is driven less by temperature swings than by the interplay of the southwest and northeast monsoons.
The Central Province's topography tends to produce microclimates shaped by valley orientation and wind exposure, and estates near this elevation often benefit from afternoon mist and consistent rainfall distribution across much of the year. These conditions typically favour the steady accumulation of secondary metabolites in the leaf, which can translate into the brightness and body for which mid-grown Ceylon teas are known. Soil composition in this region is commonly lateritic, and drainage patterns influenced by slope can play an important role in root health and nutrient availability.
Tea Produced
Pussellawa Plantations, Mooloya produces black tea, and estates at this elevation in the Central Province typically yield cups that balance the briskness of lower elevations with the aromatic refinement more commonly associated with high-grown leaf. Mid-grown Ceylon blacks from this altitude band often display a medium body, moderate astringency, and a clean, bright liquor, with flavour notes that can range from malty to gently floral depending on plucking standards and processing technique. While specific tasting profiles vary by season and manufacture, teas from this elevation are generally valued for their versatility and consistency in blending applications.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Pussellawa Plantations, Mooloya lies at 7.1118, 80.7634 in Central Province, Sri Lanka. Its 1153 m elevation is the 54th highest of 93 estates we map in Central Province. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Maturata Plantations, Alma — 7.5 km away
- Agalawatte Plantations, Frotoft — 8.4 km away
- Glenloch — 9.8 km away
- High Forest Tea Estate — 10.0 km away · Dudley Senanayake Mawatha
- Pussellawa Plantations, Delta, Delta Ctc — 11 km away
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Pussellawa Plantations, Mooloya
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Pussellawa Plantations, Mooloya (1,153 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Pussellawa Plantations, Mooloya recorded 2,463 mm in 2025, 15% more than the 2,138 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green Lakes Plantations Sarl, Moniko | Jinja, Uganda | 1,148 m | 1,432 mm | 26.7 °C |
| Rusekere Growers Tea Factory | Fort Portal, Uganda | 1,141 m | 1,310 mm | 27.8 °C |
| Phuguri Tea Estate | Saurinibasti, India | 1,169 m | 2,778 mm | 21.5 °C |
| Hapugastenne Plantations, Oodoowere | Uva Province, Sri Lanka | 1,169 m | 2,417 mm | 25.1 °C |
| SHREE DWARIKA | West Bengal, India | 1,132 m | 2,753 mm | 24.2 °C |
Pussellawa Plantations, Mooloya Compared with Central Province
In Central Province, Pussellawa Plantations, Mooloya is drier than 93% of the others by 2025 rainfall; lower than 58% of the others by elevation; warmer than 64% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Pussellawa Plantations, Mooloya 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 | Pussellawa Plantations, Mooloya | Region median | Region range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 1,153 m | 1,203 m | 37 to 1,924 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 2,463 mm | 3,206 mm | 2,071 to 4,839 mm |
| Mean daily high | 24.9 °C | 23.1 °C | 19.1 to 30.1 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 18.1 °C | 16.4 °C | 12.4 to 22.2 °C |
Observed Climate at Pussellawa Plantations, Mooloya (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Pussellawa Plantations, Mooloya’s coordinates recorded 2,463 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was November (807 mm) and the driest was August (49 mm). Daytime highs averaged 24.9 °C and overnight lows 18.1 °C over the year; June was the warmest month and January the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 2,463 mm |
| Wettest month | November (807 mm) |
| Driest month | August (49 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 24.9 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 18.1 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Pussellawa Plantations, Mooloya located?
Pussellawa Plantations, Mooloya is in Central Province, Sri Lanka, at coordinates 7.1118, 80.7634, at an elevation of about 1153 metres.
Who operates Pussellawa Plantations, Mooloya?
Pussellawa Plantations, Mooloya is operated by Pussellawa Plantations, Mooloya, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Pussellawa Plantations, Mooloya produce?
Pussellawa Plantations, Mooloya is recorded as producing black tea.
How much rain does Pussellawa Plantations, Mooloya receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 2,463 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in November (807 mm).
How does Pussellawa Plantations, Mooloya compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Pussellawa Plantations, Mooloya recorded 2,463 mm in 2025, 15% more rain than the 2,138 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].
