In short: KDU, Peak Paradise is a low-elevation black tea estate in Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka, operated by KDU and recorded as supplying Finlays.
KDU, Peak Paradise is a black tea estate located in Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka, at an altitude of 48 metres above sea level. The estate is operated by KDU, a company that manages six other tea estates recorded in industry directories. It is known to supply Finlays, one of the principal actors in the global tea trade.
Terroir & Climate
Situated at just 48 metres above sea level, Peak Paradise occupies the low-grown category of Sri Lankan tea production. Estates at this elevation typically experience warmer temperatures and higher humidity throughout the year, conditions that generally encourage rapid leaf growth and year-round cropping cycles. The low altitude and proximity to the equator—at approximately 6.8° north—tend to produce a growing environment with minimal seasonal variation, allowing for consistent flush intervals.
Low-grown Ceylon teas are often characterised by their robust, full-bodied profiles, a result of the faster metabolic activity in the leaf at warmer temperatures. The Sabaragamuwa Province lies inland from the better-known southern and central highlands, and estates in this region typically benefit from tropical monsoon rainfall patterns, though the specific microclimate at any given site will vary with local topography and drainage.
Tea Produced
Peak Paradise produces black tea. Low-grown Sri Lankan black teas from estates at similar elevations typically yield a strong, brisk cup with good colour and body, suited to blending and to markets that favour assertive, malty character. Teas from this altitude band are generally less delicate than high-grown Ceylon, with a fuller, sometimes earthier profile that holds up well to milk. The style is often favoured by buyers seeking consistent strength and extraction for everyday and foodservice applications.
Supply Chain & Market Position
Peak Paradise is recorded as supplying Finlays, a major integrated tea company with extensive sourcing, blending, and distribution operations across Africa, Asia, and global markets. The presence of Finlays as a buyer suggests that the estate's output meets the quality and traceability standards required by multinational supply chains. Low-grown Sri Lankan teas often find their way into commercial blends destined for retail and foodservice, and an established relationship with a buyer of Finlays' scale points to reliable volumes and consistent processing.
- Recorded supplier to Finlays
Operator
The estate is operated by KDU, a company that manages at least six other tea estates recorded in industry directories. This multi-estate structure typically allows for shared processing infrastructure, agronomic expertise, and centralised marketing, which can provide economies of scale and more stable supply relationships with large buyers. The presence of multiple estates under common management often signals a degree of vertical integration or investment capacity within the company's portfolio.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
KDU, Peak Paradise lies at 6.7566, 80.3724 in Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka. Its 48 m elevation is the joint 67th highest of 75 estates we map in Sabaragamuwa Province. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Balangoda Plantations, Meddakande — 2.0 km away
- KDU, Deerwood — 4.9 km away
- Hidellana Tea Factory — 5.2 km away · Ratnapura
- Balangoda Plantations, Palm Garden — 5.7 km away
- Non Pareil — 5.8 km away · Ratnapura
Estates at a Similar Altitude to KDU, Peak Paradise
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match KDU, Peak Paradise (48 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. KDU, Peak Paradise recorded 4,458 mm in 2025, 83% more than the 2,439 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ihala Panapitiya | Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka | 48 m | 4,005 mm | 29.9 °C |
| Hunan Tea Group Co., Ltd. - final packing and refining processing | Changsha, China | 47 m | 1,348 mm | 24.8 °C |
| Uduella | Southern Province, Sri Lanka | 49 m | 3,022 mm | 29.9 °C |
| Owaggachara Tea Estate Factory | Rangamati, Bangladesh | 46 m | 2,525 mm | 30.0 °C |
| Yame Tea Kumaen | Tokyo, Japan | 50 m | 1,293 mm | 21.1 °C |
KDU, Peak Paradise Compared with Sabaragamuwa Province
In Sabaragamuwa Province, KDU, Peak Paradise is wetter than 86% of the others by 2025 rainfall; lower than 92% of the others by elevation; warmer than 78% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets KDU, Peak Paradise 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 | KDU, Peak Paradise | Region median | Region range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 48 m | 167 m | 26 to 1,355 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 4,458 mm | 3,390 mm | 2,018 to 4,839 mm |
| Mean daily high | 30.1 °C | 29.5 °C | 21.5 to 30.9 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 22.8 °C | 21.9 °C | 15.7 to 23.0 °C |
Observed Climate at KDU, Peak Paradise (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for KDU, Peak Paradise’s coordinates recorded 4,458 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was November (662 mm) and the driest was February (80 mm). Daytime highs averaged 30.1 °C and overnight lows 22.8 °C over the year; March was the warmest month and January the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 4,458 mm |
| Wettest month | November (662 mm) |
| Driest month | February (80 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 30.1 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 22.8 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is KDU, Peak Paradise located?
KDU, Peak Paradise is in Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka, at coordinates 6.7566, 80.3724, at an elevation of about 48 metres.
Who operates KDU, Peak Paradise?
KDU, Peak Paradise is operated by KDU, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does KDU, Peak Paradise produce?
KDU, Peak Paradise is recorded as producing black tea.
Which buyers does KDU, Peak Paradise supply?
Public supplier disclosures record KDU, Peak Paradise as supplying Finlays.
How much rain does KDU, Peak Paradise receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 4,458 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in November (662 mm).
How does KDU, Peak Paradise compare with estates at a similar elevation?
KDU, Peak Paradise recorded 4,458 mm in 2025, 83% more rain than the 2,439 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].