In short: Talawakelle Plantations, Mattakelle is a black tea estate in Sri Lanka's Central Province at 1,410 metres, operated by Talawakelle Plantations, Mattakelle, and known to supply Finlays.
Talawakelle Plantations, Mattakelle is a black tea estate located in Sri Lanka's Central Province at an elevation of 1,410 metres. The estate is operated by Talawakelle Plantations, Mattakelle, and is recorded as supplying Finlays, a major international tea buyer and distributor.
Terroir & Climate
At 1,410 metres above sea level, Mattakelle occupies a mid-elevation zone in Sri Lanka's Central Province, where estates typically experience cooler temperatures and higher humidity than lowland gardens. This altitude generally slows the growth cycle of the tea plant, allowing more time for complex compounds to develop in the leaf. Estates at similar elevations in the region often benefit from the moderating influence of cloud cover and afternoon mists, which can protect tender shoots from excessive heat stress.
The Central Province's position near the island's southern mountain massif means that estates in this zone are often exposed to both monsoon cycles, with the south-west monsoon bringing rains from May to September and the north-east monsoon from December to February. This bimodal rainfall pattern tends to yield two principal quality seasons, though growing conditions at mid-elevations typically permit year-round production. Soils in the region are generally acidic and well-drained, characteristics that suit Camellia sinensis cultivation.
Tea Produced
Mattakelle produces black tea. Estates in Sri Lanka's Central Province at this elevation typically yield teas with medium body and a balance between briskness and depth. Mid-grown Ceylon blacks from this altitude range are often characterised by a copper-to-reddish infusion, moderate astringency, and flavour notes that may include malt, wood, and subtle fruit or floral hints. These teas are generally versatile, suited to both single-estate presentation and blending for consistency and strength.
Supply Chain & Market Position
Mattakelle's recorded supply relationship with Finlays places the estate within a significant global supply chain. Finlays is one of the world's largest tea and coffee businesses, sourcing from multiple origins and supplying both branded and private-label customers across retail and foodservice channels. This connection suggests that Mattakelle's output is likely directed toward export markets and may be blended or packaged under various brand identities, though the specifics of volume and contract terms are not publicly disclosed.
- Recorded supplier to Finlays
Operator
The estate is operated by Talawakelle Plantations, Mattakelle. No additional estates operated by this company are currently recorded in our directory.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Talawakelle Plantations, Mattakelle lies at 6.9208, 80.7006 in Central Province, Sri Lanka. Its 1410 m elevation is the 13th highest of 93 estates we map in Central Province. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Hatton Plantations, Waltrim — 1.7 km away
- Talawakelle Plantations, Radella — 2.4 km away
- Talawakelle Plantations, Bearwell — 2.5 km away
- Somerset Tea Estate — 2.5 km away · Nuwara Eliya
- St. Coombs — 2.6 km away
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Talawakelle Plantations, Mattakelle
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Talawakelle Plantations, Mattakelle (1,410 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Talawakelle Plantations, Mattakelle recorded 3,746 mm in 2025, 86% more than the 2,010 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agarapatana Plantations, Gonamotawa | Uva Province, Sri Lanka | 1,408 m | 2,188 mm | 23.4 °C |
| MABAYI | Cibitoke, Burundi | 1,413 m | 1,972 mm | 24.5 °C |
| Rwanda Mountain Tea | KG 438 St, Rwanda | 1,413 m | 1,053 mm | 26.3 °C |
| Kayonza | Ntungamo, Uganda | 1,416 m | 1,045 mm | 26.7 °C |
| Letchmi Super Tea Estate | Kannan Devan Hills, India | 1,418 m | 3,791 mm | 22.3 °C |
Talawakelle Plantations, Mattakelle Compared with Central Province
In Central Province, Talawakelle Plantations, Mattakelle is wetter than 65% of the others by 2025 rainfall; higher than 87% of the others by elevation; cooler than 89% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Talawakelle Plantations, Mattakelle 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 | Talawakelle Plantations, Mattakelle | Region median | Region range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 1,410 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 Talawakelle Plantations, Mattakelle (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Talawakelle Plantations, Mattakelle’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 Talawakelle Plantations, Mattakelle located?
Talawakelle Plantations, Mattakelle is in Central Province, Sri Lanka, at coordinates 6.9208, 80.7006, at an elevation of about 1410 metres.
Who operates Talawakelle Plantations, Mattakelle?
Talawakelle Plantations, Mattakelle is operated by Talawakelle Plantations, Mattakelle, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Talawakelle Plantations, Mattakelle produce?
Talawakelle Plantations, Mattakelle is recorded as producing black tea.
Which buyers does Talawakelle Plantations, Mattakelle supply?
Public supplier disclosures record Talawakelle Plantations, Mattakelle as supplying Finlays.
How much rain does Talawakelle Plantations, Mattakelle receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 3,746 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in November (952 mm).
How does Talawakelle Plantations, Mattakelle compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Talawakelle Plantations, Mattakelle recorded 3,746 mm in 2025, 86% more rain than the 2,010 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].
