In short: El Teb is a black-tea estate in the Lunugala & Hewa Eliya area of Badulla North, Sri Lanka, operated by Stassen Exports and recorded as supplying Morrisons.
El Teb is a tea estate located in the Lunugala & Hewa Eliya region of Badulla North, Sri Lanka, at an elevation of 941 metres. The estate is operated by Stassen Exports, a Sri Lankan producer active across multiple estates in the island's central highlands. El Teb is recorded as a supplier to Morrisons, the UK supermarket chain.
Terroir & Climate
At 941 metres, El Teb occupies a mid-elevation zone in Sri Lanka's Uva-adjacent Badulla district, a latitude and altitude that typically afford estates a balance between yield and leaf complexity. Properties at this elevation often experience the influence of both the southwest and northeast monsoons, which tend to shape two distinct quality seasons—particularly the dry, easterly winds that sweep through the Uva region during the July–September period, though the precise microclimate at Lunugala & Hewa Eliya can vary.
Mid-grown Ceylon teas from this altitude band generally develop moderate astringency and a structured cup, with the diurnal temperature variation and seasonal dry periods tending to concentrate flavour compounds in the leaf. Estates in this part of Badulla North are typically subject to the same broad climatic patterns as the better-known Uva gardens, though their character can be shaped by localised topography and drainage.
Tea Produced
El Teb produces black tea. Mid-grown Sri Lankan estates at this elevation typically yield teas with medium body, brisk astringency, and a clean, slightly malty character. Teas from the Badulla North area often display the influence of seasonal dry winds, which can lend a certain intensity and brightness to the cup, though the precise profile will vary with flush and processing.
Supply Chain & Market Position
El Teb is recorded as supplying Morrisons, indicating its integration into the UK retail supply chain. Morrisons sources Ceylon tea from a range of estates and blenders, and El Teb's appearance in their sourcing records suggests the estate produces volumes suited to supermarket own-label or blend programmes. The estate's operator, Stassen Exports, maintains an established presence in the export market, which likely facilitates access to major retail buyers in Western Europe.
- Recorded supplier to Morrisons
Operator
El Teb is operated by Stassen Exports, a diversified Sri Lankan exporter with interests across tea, botanicals, and functional ingredients. Stassen Exports operates four other estates recorded in this directory, reflecting a multi-estate production model that allows for some flexibility in volume aggregation and quality positioning across its portfolio.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
El Teb lies at 6.9622, 81.1736 in Lunugala & Hewa Eliya (or Badulla North), Sri Lanka. Its 941 m elevation is the 120th highest of 429 estates we map in Sri Lanka. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Aruna, Passara Tea Shakthi, Aruna Passara — 2.8 km away · Uva Province
- Balangoda Plantations, Spring Valley Group — 3.8 km away · Uva Province
- Namunukula Plantations, Gonakelle — 3.8 km away · Uva Province
- Mahadowa Estate — 4.8 km away · Mahadowa Factory Road
- Balangoda Plantations, Wewesse — 5.9 km away · Uva Province
Estates at a Similar Altitude to El Teb
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match El Teb (941 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. El Teb recorded 2,624 mm in 2025, 15% less than the 3,075 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guranse Tea Estate Pvt. Ltd. - Primary Processing, Refining, and Packing | Koshi Hwy, Nepal | 938 m | 2,512 mm | 24.0 °C |
| Pasir Malang Tea Estate | Malang Regency, Indonesia | 933 m | 3,891 mm | 25.1 °C |
| Mangshi Zhicheng Tea Industry Limited Company | Dehong City, China | 931 m | 1,755 mm | 26.2 °C |
| Teesta Valley Tea Estate | Dist, India | 954 m | 3,324 mm | 23.4 °C |
| Wonosari | East Java, Indonesia | 954 m | 3,891 mm | 25.2 °C |
El Teb Compared with Sri Lanka
In Sri Lanka, El Teb is drier than 80% of the others by 2025 rainfall; higher than 72% of the others by elevation; cooler than 69% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets El Teb 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 | El Teb | Country median | Country range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 941 m | 298 m | 6 to 1,962 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 2,624 mm | 3,051 mm | 2,018 to 4,839 mm |
| Mean daily high | 26.3 °C | 28.8 °C | 18.9 to 31.3 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 17.6 °C | 21.7 °C | 12.4 to 24.3 °C |
Observed Climate at El Teb (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for El Teb’s coordinates recorded 2,624 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was November (600 mm) and the driest was February (58 mm). Daytime highs averaged 26.3 °C and overnight lows 17.6 °C over the year; July was the warmest month and January the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 2,624 mm |
| Wettest month | November (600 mm) |
| Driest month | February (58 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 26.3 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 17.6 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is El Teb located?
El Teb is in Lunugala & Hewa Eliya (or Badulla North), Sri Lanka, at coordinates 6.9622, 81.1736, at an elevation of about 941 metres.
Who operates El Teb?
El Teb is operated by Stassen Exports, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does El Teb produce?
El Teb is recorded as producing black tea.
Which buyers does El Teb supply?
Public supplier disclosures record El Teb as supplying Morrisons.
How much rain does El Teb receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 2,624 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in November (600 mm).
How does El Teb compare with estates at a similar elevation?
El Teb recorded 2,624 mm in 2025, 15% less rain than the 3,075 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].