In short: High Forest Tea Estate is a black tea producer located in Dudley Senanayake Mawatha, Sri Lanka, at 1,744 metres elevation, operated by Mathurata Plantations Ltd.
High Forest Tea Estate is a black tea producer situated in the Dudley Senanayake Mawatha region of Sri Lanka, at an elevation of 1,744 metres. The estate is operated by Mathurata Plantations Ltd., a company that manages three tea estates recorded in this directory. No buyers have been publicly recorded for this estate's production.
Terroir & Climate
At 1,744 metres above sea level, High Forest occupies what is typically classified as high-grown terrain in Sri Lanka's central highlands. Estates at this elevation generally experience cooler temperatures and greater diurnal variation than their low-grown counterparts, conditions that tend to slow leaf maturation and can contribute to a more gradual accumulation of flavour compounds.
The latitude of approximately 7° north places the estate within the tropical monsoon belt, where most Sri Lankan tea-growing regions experience two principal monsoon seasons. High-elevation sites such as this often contend with mist, cloud cover, and higher rainfall during peak monsoon months, factors that typically influence flush timing and leaf character throughout the year.
Tea Produced
High Forest produces black tea. High-grown Sri Lankan black teas from estates at this altitude typically yield a brisk, bright cup with pronounced astringency and a lighter body than teas from lower elevations. The slower growth associated with cooler highland conditions often contributes to a more complex flavour profile, though specific sensory attributes depend on plucking standards, processing methods, and seasonal variation.
Operator
Mathurata Plantations Ltd. operates High Forest Tea Estate and is recorded as the operator of two other estates in this directory. The company's portfolio spans multiple high-elevation sites in Sri Lanka's tea-growing regions, though details of its corporate structure and ownership are not verified for this profile.
Certifications & Ethics
High Forest Tea Estate holds certification from the Ethical Tea Partnership, an industry body that audits labour practices, health and safety standards, and environmental management on tea estates. For buyers, ETP certification provides third-party assurance that the estate has met baseline standards in areas including worker welfare, housing, and pesticide use, though the scope and frequency of audits vary by scheme tier.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
High Forest Tea Estate lies at 7.0483, 80.8272 in Dudley Senanayake Mawatha, Sri Lanka. Its 1744 m elevation is the 10th highest of 429 estates we map in Sri Lanka. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Maturata Plantations, Alma — 4.7 km away · Central Province
- Maturata Plantations, Ragalla Group — 5.1 km away · Nuwara Eliya District
- MAHA UVA TEA FACTORY — 5.5 km away · WALAPANE
- Concordia Tea Estate — 6.6 km away · Kandapola
- Udapussellawa Plantations, Court Lodge — 7.4 km away · Central Province
Estates at a Similar Altitude to High Forest Tea Estate
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match High Forest Tea Estate (1,744 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. High Forest Tea Estate recorded 2,796 mm in 2025, 71% more than the 1,635 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nyabihu Tea Estate | NR16, Rwanda | 1,746 m | 1,122 mm | 23.2 °C |
| Gumaro | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | 1,725 m | 1,663 mm | 25.0 °C |
| Bannockburn Tea Estate | West Bengal, India | 1,724 m | 2,294 mm | 19.3 °C |
| MUNUNGA | Kerugoya, Kenya | 1,769 m | 1,066 mm | 21.6 °C |
| Green Fountain Yunnan Tea Co., Ltd- Lailong | Yunnan Province, China | 1,718 m | 2,028 mm | 21.8 °C |
High Forest Tea Estate Compared with Sri Lanka
In Sri Lanka, High Forest Tea Estate is drier than 62% of the others by 2025 rainfall; higher than 98% of the others by elevation; cooler than 98% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets High Forest Tea Estate against the 428 other estates we map in Sri Lanka, so you can see whether it is typical for its country or an outlier.
| Measure | High Forest Tea Estate | Country median | Country range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 1,744 m | 298 m | 6 to 1,962 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 2,796 mm | 3,051 mm | 2,018 to 4,839 mm |
| Mean daily high | 20.4 °C | 28.8 °C | 18.9 to 31.3 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 14.0 °C | 21.7 °C | 12.4 to 24.3 °C |
Observed Climate at High Forest Tea Estate (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for High Forest Tea Estate’s coordinates recorded 2,796 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was November (809 mm) and the driest was February (57 mm). Daytime highs averaged 20.4 °C and overnight lows 14.0 °C over the year; May was the warmest month and January the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 2,796 mm |
| Wettest month | November (809 mm) |
| Driest month | February (57 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 20.4 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 14.0 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is High Forest Tea Estate located?
High Forest Tea Estate is in Dudley Senanayake Mawatha, Sri Lanka, at coordinates 7.0483, 80.8272, at an elevation of about 1744 metres.
Who operates High Forest Tea Estate?
High Forest Tea Estate is operated by Mathurata Plantations Ltd., according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does High Forest Tea Estate produce?
High Forest Tea Estate is recorded as producing black tea.
What certifications does High Forest Tea Estate hold?
High Forest Tea Estate is recorded as holding the following certification(s): Ethical Tea Partnership.
How much rain does High Forest Tea Estate receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 2,796 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in November (809 mm).
How does High Forest Tea Estate compare with estates at a similar elevation?
High Forest Tea Estate recorded 2,796 mm in 2025, 71% more rain than the 1,635 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].