In short: Kahawatte Plantations, Houpe is a low-grown tea estate in Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka, recorded as supplying Finlays.
Kahawatte Plantations, Houpe is a tea estate located in Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka, at an elevation of 218 metres above sea level. The estate is operated by Kahawatte Plantations, Houpe and is recorded as supplying Finlays, a major international tea trader.
Terroir & Climate
At 218 metres, this estate falls within Sri Lanka's low-grown tea zone, where the tropical climate and lower elevation typically result in warmer temperatures and more rapid leaf growth compared to the island's celebrated high-grown regions. Estates at this altitude generally experience consistent warmth year-round, with the southwest monsoon and inter-monsoonal rains shaping the growing calendar. The lower elevation and Sabaragamuwa Province's inland position tend to produce conditions that favour flush volume over the slower, more nuanced development associated with cooler high-country gardens.
Low-grown Sri Lankan estates often contend with higher ambient temperatures and humidity, factors that typically accelerate the vegetative cycle and can yield a more robust, vigorous leaf. The terroir at this elevation generally supports black tea production oriented toward strength and body rather than the bright, complex aromatics that cooler, mist-prone elevations are known for. While specifics of soil composition and microclimate vary across the province, estates in this altitude band tend to produce teas suited to blending and commercial markets where consistency and bold character are priorities.
Tea Produced
The estate produces black tea. Low-grown Sri Lankan black teas from this elevation range typically offer a full-bodied, malty cup with straightforward character and good colour. Estates at similar altitudes in Sabaragamuwa Province generally yield liquors that emphasise strength and astringency over floral or high-grown complexity, making them well-suited to blending applications and markets where robust, reliable flavour is valued. The cup profile at this elevation tends toward darker, more assertive notes rather than the brightness and aromatic lift associated with higher-altitude production.
Supply Chain & Market Position
The estate is recorded as supplying Finlays, one of the world's largest tea and coffee traders with extensive global reach. This relationship suggests that production from Kahawatte Plantations, Houpe enters a supply chain that serves major international brands and blenders, positioning the estate within the mainstream commercial tea market rather than boutique or single-estate retail channels. Finlays' involvement typically indicates that output is destined for blending and volume-oriented buyers who require consistent quality and reliable throughput.
- Recorded supplier to Finlays
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Kahawatte Plantations, Houpe lies at 6.5644, 80.5315 in Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka. Its 218 m elevation is the 30th highest of 75 estates we map in Sabaragamuwa Province. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Nawalakanda — 1.7 km away
- Kahawatte Plantations, Poronuwa — 1.9 km away
- Kahawatte Plantations, Endane — 4.5 km away
- New Doralawitiyahena — 5.5 km away
- KDU, Nilvin View — 6.0 km away
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Kahawatte Plantations, Houpe
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Kahawatte Plantations, Houpe (218 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Kahawatte Plantations, Houpe recorded 2,770 mm in 2025, within 5% of the 2,747 mm average across these estates, so altitude explains most of its rainfall.
| Estate | Where | Elevation | Rain 2025 | Mean high |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Huzhou Jiasheng Tea Co., Ltd. | Zhejiang, China | 221 m | 1,708 mm | 22.1 °C |
| Forest Hill Tea | Hospital Road Erathna, Sri Lanka | 221 m | 4,574 mm | 29.0 °C |
| Derangala | Southern Province, Sri Lanka | 224 m | 3,051 mm | 29.1 °C |
| Tabay\u00a0Tea Factory And Plantations | Jardín América, Argentina | 207 m | 2,073 mm | 27.4 °C |
| Wellstand Tea Leaves Co., Ltd. | Pingzhen Dist, Taiwan | 207 m | 2,330 mm | 26.5 °C |
Kahawatte Plantations, Houpe Compared with Sabaragamuwa Province
In Sabaragamuwa Province, Kahawatte Plantations, Houpe is drier than 81% of the others by 2025 rainfall; higher than 61% of the others by elevation; cooler than 70% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Kahawatte Plantations, Houpe against the 74 other estates we map in Sabaragamuwa Province, so you can see whether it is typical for its region or an outlier.
| Measure | Kahawatte Plantations, Houpe | Region median | Region range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 218 m | 164 m | 26 to 1,355 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 2,770 mm | 3,412 mm | 2,018 to 4,839 mm |
| Mean daily high | 28.7 °C | 29.5 °C | 21.5 to 30.9 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 21.6 °C | 21.9 °C | 15.7 to 23.0 °C |
Observed Climate at Kahawatte Plantations, Houpe (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Kahawatte Plantations, Houpe’s coordinates recorded 2,770 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was November (482 mm) and the driest was February (17 mm). Daytime highs averaged 28.7 °C and overnight lows 21.6 °C over the year; April was the warmest month and January the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 2,770 mm |
| Wettest month | November (482 mm) |
| Driest month | February (17 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 28.7 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 21.6 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Kahawatte Plantations, Houpe located?
Kahawatte Plantations, Houpe is in Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka, at coordinates 6.5644, 80.5315, at an elevation of about 218 metres.
Who operates Kahawatte Plantations, Houpe?
Kahawatte Plantations, Houpe is operated by Kahawatte Plantations, Houpe, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Kahawatte Plantations, Houpe produce?
Kahawatte Plantations, Houpe is recorded as producing black tea.
Which buyers does Kahawatte Plantations, Houpe supply?
Public supplier disclosures record Kahawatte Plantations, Houpe as supplying Finlays.
How much rain does Kahawatte Plantations, Houpe receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 2,770 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in November (482 mm).
How does Kahawatte Plantations, Houpe compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Estates at a similar elevation recorded about 2,747 mm of rain in 2025, close to the 2,770 mm at Kahawatte Plantations, Houpe.
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].
