In short: Kahawatte Plantations, Hunuwella is a low-grown black tea estate in Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka, operating at 143 metres above sea level and known to supply Finlays.
Kahawatte Plantations, Hunuwella is a tea estate located in Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka, at an elevation of 143 metres above sea level. The estate is operated under the name Kahawatte Plantations, Hunuwella and is known to supply Finlays, a significant participant in the global tea trade.
Terroir & Climate
At 143 metres, Hunuwella falls firmly within Sri Lanka's low-grown tea category, a designation that typically encompasses estates below approximately 600 metres. Low-grown Ceylon teas generally benefit from warmer temperatures and faster growth rates than their high-grown counterparts, conditions that tend to favour robust leaf development and a vigorous growing cycle. The Sabaragamuwa Province, positioned in the south-central part of the island at a latitude of approximately 6.6°N, experiences a tropical climate with relatively consistent warmth throughout the year.
Estates at this elevation and latitude often contend with higher humidity and more pronounced wet seasons, factors that can influence both yield and leaf character. The lower altitude typically results in a shorter withering period and a leaf profile that differs from the slower-maturing, more delicate teas grown in the central highlands. These environmental conditions generally encourage the production of teas with a different structural profile, though specific outcomes depend on processing decisions and garden management practices.
Tea Produced
Hunuwella produces black tea. Low-grown Ceylon black teas from estates at similar elevations tend to yield a cup with greater body and strength compared to high-grown varieties, often exhibiting a darker liquor and a more straightforward, robust character. Teas from the Sabaragamuwa low country generally offer a fuller mouthfeel and can display malty or earthy notes, though cup profile varies with manufacturing method and seasonal conditions. These lower-elevation black teas are frequently valued in blending for their consistency and structural contribution.
Supply Chain & Market Position
Hunuwella is recorded as a supplier to Finlays, a vertically integrated tea company with a significant global footprint in sourcing, blending, and distribution. Finlays' presence in the supply chain suggests that leaf from this estate is likely directed toward commercial blends and retail brands served by that network, potentially reaching both regional and international markets. The relationship with a buyer of this scale indicates that Hunuwella operates within the established export infrastructure for Sri Lankan low-grown teas.
- Recorded supplier to Finlays
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Kahawatte Plantations, Hunuwella lies at 6.6345, 80.5300 in Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka. Its 143 m elevation is the 47th highest of 75 estates we map in Sabaragamuwa Province. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Kahawatte Plantations, Opatha — under 1 km away
- New Temple View — under 1 km away
- Kahawatte Plantations, Rilhena — 1.1 km away
- KDU, New Kandagastenne — 3.2 km away
- Kongahawatte — 3.2 km away
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Kahawatte Plantations, Hunuwella
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Kahawatte Plantations, Hunuwella (143 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Kahawatte Plantations, Hunuwella recorded 3,902 mm in 2025, 47% more than the 2,649 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MAJULI | Assam, India | 142 m | 1,742 mm | 28.8 °C |
| Bogapani Tea Estate | Tinsukia, India | 142 m | 2,617 mm | 28.7 °C |
| Pussellawa Plantations, Pambegama | Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka | 142 m | 4,426 mm | 30.2 °C |
| Mahendra | Southern Province, Sri Lanka | 147 m | 3,051 mm | 29.3 °C |
| Anhui Huangshan United Keemun Tea Co., Ltd. - Office and Factory | Anhui Huangshan Eoconomic Development Zone, China | 149 m | 1,408 mm | 24.6 °C |
Kahawatte Plantations, Hunuwella Compared with Sabaragamuwa Province
In Sabaragamuwa Province, Kahawatte Plantations, Hunuwella is wetter than 61% of the others by 2025 rainfall; lower than 62% of the others by elevation; warmer than 65% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Kahawatte Plantations, Hunuwella 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, Hunuwella | Region median | Region range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 143 m | 167 m | 26 to 1,355 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 3,902 mm | 3,390 mm | 2,018 to 4,839 mm |
| Mean daily high | 29.7 °C | 29.5 °C | 21.5 to 30.9 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 22.3 °C | 21.9 °C | 15.7 to 23.0 °C |
Observed Climate at Kahawatte Plantations, Hunuwella (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Kahawatte Plantations, Hunuwella’s coordinates recorded 3,902 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was November (576 mm) and the driest was February (59 mm). Daytime highs averaged 29.7 °C and overnight lows 22.3 °C over the year; April was the warmest month and January the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 3,902 mm |
| Wettest month | November (576 mm) |
| Driest month | February (59 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 29.7 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 22.3 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Kahawatte Plantations, Hunuwella located?
Kahawatte Plantations, Hunuwella is in Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka, at coordinates 6.6345, 80.5300, at an elevation of about 143 metres.
Who operates Kahawatte Plantations, Hunuwella?
Kahawatte Plantations, Hunuwella is operated by Kahawatte Plantations, Hunuwella, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Kahawatte Plantations, Hunuwella produce?
Kahawatte Plantations, Hunuwella is recorded as producing black tea.
Which buyers does Kahawatte Plantations, Hunuwella supply?
Public supplier disclosures record Kahawatte Plantations, Hunuwella as supplying Finlays.
How much rain does Kahawatte Plantations, Hunuwella receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 3,902 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in November (576 mm).
How does Kahawatte Plantations, Hunuwella compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Kahawatte Plantations, Hunuwella recorded 3,902 mm in 2025, 47% more rain than the 2,649 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].
