In short: Maskeliya Plantations, Mousakellie is a black tea estate in Sri Lanka's Central Province at 1,191 metres, operated by Maskeliya Plantations, Mousakellie.
Maskeliya Plantations, Mousakellie is a black tea estate located in Sri Lanka's Central Province at an elevation of 1,191 metres. The estate is operated by Maskeliya Plantations, Mousakellie. The Central Province is one of Sri Lanka's principal tea-growing regions, historically central to the island's export trade.
Terroir & Climate
At 1,191 metres, Mousakellie sits within the mid-elevation band that characterises much of the Central Province's tea country. Estates at this altitude typically experience a climate that moderates the tropical heat of lower elevations while remaining below the cooler, mist-prone conditions of the highest gardens. Diurnal temperature variation at this level tends to be sufficient to slow leaf growth without the prolonged cloud cover common above 1,500 metres.
The Central Province's rainfall pattern generally follows Sri Lanka's bi-modal monsoon cycle, with the south-west monsoon and inter-monsoonal convective rains influencing flush timing. Mid-elevation estates in this region often see a growing environment that balances adequate moisture with sufficient sunlight, conditions that typically favour consistent cropping across much of the year. Soils in the province's tea belt are generally acidic and well-drained, characteristics that have supported commercial tea cultivation for over a century.
Tea Produced
Mousakellie produces black tea. Estates in the Central Province at this elevation typically yield teas with a medium body and a balanced profile, often exhibiting a clean, bright character in the cup. Mid-grown Ceylon teas from this altitude band tend to offer a moderate astringency and a copper-to-reddish liquor, with flavour notes that can range from malty to subtly floral depending on processing and seasonal variation. These teas are generally well-suited to blending and are commonly found in both bulk and speciality markets.
Operator
The estate is operated by Maskeliya Plantations, Mousakellie. No other estates operated by this company are currently recorded in our directory.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Maskeliya Plantations, Mousakellie lies at 6.8330, 80.5708 in Central Province, Sri Lanka. Its 1191 m elevation is the joint 51st highest of 93 estates we map in Central Province. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Maskeliya Plantations, Laxapana — under 1 km away
- Maskeliya Plantations, Glentilt Estate, Glentilt — under 1 km away
- Maskeliya Plantations, Deeside, Glenugie — 3.1 km away
- Gouravilla Estate — 3.1 km away · Maskeliya
- Bogawantalawa Plantations, Norwood — 4.4 km away
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Maskeliya Plantations, Mousakellie
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Maskeliya Plantations, Mousakellie (1,191 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Maskeliya Plantations, Mousakellie recorded 4,839 mm in 2025, 156% more than the 1,890 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malwatte Valley Plantations, Sarina Group, Neluwa | Uva Province, Sri Lanka | 1,191 m | 2,319 mm | 24.7 °C |
| Shangba Tea Farm | Zunyi City, China | 1,189 m | 1,714 mm | 18.2 °C |
| BUHWEJU | Opposite Redcross Offices, Uganda | 1,196 m | 1,265 mm | 26.4 °C |
| AVONLEA HILL FACTORY | PAHALA KADURUGOMUWA, Sri Lanka | 1,182 m | 2,942 mm | 25.1 °C |
| MUGOMA | Kampala, Uganda | 1,174 m | 1,208 mm | 26.8 °C |
Maskeliya Plantations, Mousakellie Compared with Central Province
In Central Province, Maskeliya Plantations, Mousakellie is wetter than 95% of the others by 2025 rainfall; lower than 55% of the others by elevation; cooler than 71% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Maskeliya Plantations, Mousakellie 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 | Maskeliya Plantations, Mousakellie | Region median | Region range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 1,191 m | 1,203 m | 37 to 1,924 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 4,839 mm | 3,152 mm | 2,071 to 4,839 mm |
| Mean daily high | 22.6 °C | 23.1 °C | 19.1 to 30.1 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 16.9 °C | 16.4 °C | 12.4 to 22.2 °C |
Observed Climate at Maskeliya Plantations, Mousakellie (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Maskeliya Plantations, Mousakellie’s coordinates recorded 4,839 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was November (934 mm) and the driest was February (92 mm). Daytime highs averaged 22.6 °C and overnight lows 16.9 °C over the year; April was the warmest month and December the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 4,839 mm |
| Wettest month | November (934 mm) |
| Driest month | February (92 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 22.6 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 16.9 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Maskeliya Plantations, Mousakellie located?
Maskeliya Plantations, Mousakellie is in Central Province, Sri Lanka, at coordinates 6.8330, 80.5708, at an elevation of about 1191 metres.
Who operates Maskeliya Plantations, Mousakellie?
Maskeliya Plantations, Mousakellie is operated by Maskeliya Plantations, Mousakellie, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Maskeliya Plantations, Mousakellie produce?
Maskeliya Plantations, Mousakellie is recorded as producing black tea.
How much rain does Maskeliya Plantations, Mousakellie receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 4,839 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in November (934 mm).
How does Maskeliya Plantations, Mousakellie compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Maskeliya Plantations, Mousakellie recorded 4,839 mm in 2025, 156% more rain than the 1,890 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].
