In short: Andaradeniya Estate is a low-grown tea estate in Sri Lanka's Southern Province, operating at 120 metres elevation and recorded as supplying Finlays.
Andaradeniya Estate is a tea estate located in Sri Lanka's Southern Province, at an elevation of 120 metres above sea level. The estate operates under the name Andaradeniya Estate, Andaradeniya, and is recorded as supplying Finlays, a major player in the global tea trade. As a low-grown estate in the southern reaches of Sri Lanka's tea-producing landscape, Andaradeniya focuses on the production of black tea.
Terroir & Climate
At 120 metres elevation, Andaradeniya sits firmly within Sri Lanka's low-grown tea zone, where warm, humid conditions generally prevail year-round. Estates at this altitude in the Southern Province typically experience higher temperatures and more consistent moisture than their counterparts in the central highlands, factors that tend to accelerate the vegetative cycle and encourage rapid, continuous flush production. The combination of latitude—just over six degrees north of the equator—and proximity to the island's southern coast usually means that seasonal variation is less pronounced than in higher-elevation districts.
Low-grown terroirs in this region often yield teas with a different chemical and sensory profile to mid- or high-grown Ceylon teas. The warmer ambient temperatures and faster leaf metabolism generally result in higher levels of certain polyphenols and a more robust, straightforward character in the cup. While the Southern Province is less celebrated internationally than districts such as Nuwara Eliya or Uva, estates at this elevation typically produce dependable, full-bodied black teas suited to blending and year-round supply.
Tea Produced
Andaradeniya produces black tea, the dominant output of Sri Lanka's low-grown estates. Teas from the Southern Province at this elevation typically offer a bold, malty, and relatively astringent cup, with good colour and body but less of the aromatic complexity associated with high-grown Ceylon grades. The leaf character tends towards strength and consistency rather than nuance, making low-grown Southern Province teas well-suited to blending applications, particularly for breakfast blends and ready-to-drink formats. Buyers looking for reliable tannin structure and deep liquor colour often turn to this altitude band, where yield and potency generally take precedence over fragrance and brightness.
Supply Chain & Market Position
Andaradeniya Estate is recorded as supplying Finlays, one of the world's largest tea and coffee businesses, with a long-standing presence in Sri Lankan tea sourcing, blending, and export. Finlays operates extensive supply chains across multiple origins and maintains both estate production and bought-leaf networks; the inclusion of Andaradeniya in its supply base suggests the estate meets the volume, quality consistency, and logistical standards required by a multinational buyer. This relationship positions Andaradeniya within the industrial-scale segment of the Ceylon tea market, where output is destined for blending, branded retail packs, and food-service channels rather than single-estate or specialty retail.
- Recorded supplier to Finlays
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Andaradeniya Estate, Andaradeniya lies at 6.2908, 80.4685 in Southern Province, Sri Lanka. Its 120 m elevation is the joint 37th highest of 134 estates we map in Southern Province. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Liyonta — 2.2 km away
- Dishan Valley — 3.0 km away
- Nilwala — 3.8 km away
- Mahendra — 3.9 km away
- Deshika — 4.0 km away · Sabaragamuwa Province
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Andaradeniya Estate, Andaradeniya
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Andaradeniya Estate, Andaradeniya (120 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Andaradeniya Estate, Andaradeniya recorded 3,054 mm in 2025, within 5% of the 2,954 mm average across these estates, so altitude explains most of its rainfall.
| Estate | Where | Elevation | Rain 2025 | Mean high |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keyhung Tea Estate | Assam, India | 120 m | 3,374 mm | 28.1 °C |
| Desam Tea Estate | Tairai Gaon, India | 120 m | 2,515 mm | 28.5 °C |
| KDU, Matuwagalla | Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka | 120 m | 3,902 mm | 29.5 °C |
| KDU, Deerwood | Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka | 119 m | 4,668 mm | 29.5 °C |
| I \u0026 M Smith | Western Cape, South Africa | 124 m | 313 mm | 27.4 °C |
Andaradeniya Estate, Andaradeniya Compared with Southern Province
In Southern Province, Andaradeniya Estate, Andaradeniya is wetter than 56% of the others by 2025 rainfall; higher than 71% of the others by elevation; cooler than 85% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Andaradeniya Estate, Andaradeniya against the 133 other estates we map in Southern Province, so you can see whether it is typical for its region or an outlier.
| Measure | Andaradeniya Estate, Andaradeniya | Region median | Region range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 120 m | 46 m | 6 to 806 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 3,054 mm | 3,022 mm | 2,210 to 3,589 mm |
| Mean daily high | 29.2 °C | 29.8 °C | 25.9 to 30.5 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 22.2 °C | 22.6 °C | 18.2 to 24.1 °C |
Observed Climate at Andaradeniya Estate, Andaradeniya (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Andaradeniya Estate, Andaradeniya’s coordinates recorded 3,054 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was November (476 mm) and the driest was February (61 mm). Daytime highs averaged 29.2 °C and overnight lows 22.2 °C over the year; April was the warmest month and January the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 3,054 mm |
| Wettest month | November (476 mm) |
| Driest month | February (61 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 29.2 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 22.2 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Andaradeniya Estate, Andaradeniya located?
Andaradeniya Estate, Andaradeniya is in Southern Province, Sri Lanka, at coordinates 6.2908, 80.4685, at an elevation of about 120 metres.
Who operates Andaradeniya Estate, Andaradeniya?
Andaradeniya Estate, Andaradeniya is operated by Andaradeniya Estate, Andaradeniya, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Andaradeniya Estate, Andaradeniya produce?
Andaradeniya Estate, Andaradeniya is recorded as producing black tea.
Which buyers does Andaradeniya Estate, Andaradeniya supply?
Public supplier disclosures record Andaradeniya Estate, Andaradeniya as supplying Finlays.
How much rain does Andaradeniya Estate, Andaradeniya receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 3,054 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in November (476 mm).
How does Andaradeniya Estate, Andaradeniya compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Estates at a similar elevation recorded about 2,954 mm of rain in 2025, close to the 3,054 mm at Andaradeniya Estate, Andaradeniya.
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].
