In short: Elpitiya Plantations, Talgaswella is a black tea estate in Sri Lanka's Southern Province, operating at 24 metres above sea level and recorded as supplying Finlays.
Elpitiya Plantations, Talgaswella is a black tea estate located in the Southern Province of Sri Lanka, at an altitude of 24 metres above sea level. The estate is operated by Elpitiya Plantations, Talgaswella and is recorded as supplying Finlays, a major name in the global tea trade.
Terroir & Climate
At 24 metres above sea level, Elpitiya Plantations, Talgaswella operates in the low-elevation growing environment characteristic of Sri Lanka's Southern Province. Estates at this altitude typically experience warm, humid conditions year-round, with temperatures that generally favour rapid vegetative growth and faster leaf turnover compared to higher-elevation counterparts. The latitude of approximately 6.2°N places the estate firmly within the equatorial tropics, where seasonal variation tends to be driven more by monsoon patterns than by temperature shifts.
Low-elevation tea gardens in this region often benefit from the southwest monsoon between May and September and the northeast monsoon from December to February, which together can support multiple cropping cycles annually. The warm climate and ample moisture typical of this zone generally encourage vigorous growth, though estates at such elevations may also contend with higher pest and disease pressure. The low altitude and tropical setting tend to produce a leaf profile different from the slower-maturing teas grown in the central highlands.
Tea Produced
Elpitiya Plantations, Talgaswella produces black tea. Low-elevation black teas from Sri Lanka's Southern Province generally yield a cup that is fuller-bodied and more robust than the lighter, more aromatic teas of the high-grown districts. Teas from estates at this altitude often display darker liquor, stronger malty or earthy notes, and a brisker astringency, characteristics that tend to make them well-suited to blending or to markets where strength and colour are valued. The rapid growth cycle typical of low-elevation gardens can contribute to a more straightforward, less nuanced flavour profile, though quality and processing remain key variables.
Supply Chain & Market Position
Elpitiya Plantations, Talgaswella is recorded as supplying Finlays, a vertically integrated tea company with extensive blending, packing, and distribution operations worldwide. Finlays sources tea from a wide network of estates and auctions to serve both retail brands and foodservice customers across multiple continents. The estate's presence in Finlays' supply chain suggests its output meets the volume, consistency, and price-point requirements of a major multinational buyer, and that its black tea is likely destined for blended products or bulk markets rather than single-estate retail.
- Recorded supplier to Finlays
Operator
The estate is operated by Elpitiya Plantations, Talgaswella. No other estates operated by this company are currently recorded in our directory.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Elpitiya Plantations, Talgaswella lies at 6.2454, 80.2723 in Southern Province, Sri Lanka. Its 24 m elevation is the joint 96th highest of 134 estates we map in Southern Province. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Kudamalana — under 1 km away
- Sirimevana — under 1 km away
- Evergreen Group, Evergreen — 2.8 km away
- Golden Garden Estate — 2.9 km away · Thallgaswala
- Sineth — 3.1 km away
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Elpitiya Plantations, Talgaswella
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Elpitiya Plantations, Talgaswella (24 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Elpitiya Plantations, Talgaswella recorded 3,157 mm in 2025, 11% more than the 2,837 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Horana Plantations, Mihirigeekele | Western Province, Sri Lanka | 24 m | 4,024 mm | 29.7 °C |
| Chandpur Belgaon tea Estate Factory | Chattogram, Bangladesh | 25 m | 2,165 mm | 29.7 °C |
| Lalchand tea Factory | Habiganj, Bangladesh | 23 m | 1,852 mm | 30.2 °C |
| Kayu Aro | Jambi, Indonesia | 23 m | 4,698 mm | 30.4 °C |
| Shogyoken Seicha Co Ltd | 54 Kusauchi Miyanogo Kyotanabeshi, Japan | 23 m | 1,448 mm | 21.4 °C |
Elpitiya Plantations, Talgaswella Compared with Southern Province
In Southern Province, Elpitiya Plantations, Talgaswella is wetter than 59% of the others by 2025 rainfall; lower than 76% of the others by elevation; warmer than 68% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Elpitiya Plantations, Talgaswella 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 | Elpitiya Plantations, Talgaswella | Region median | Region range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 24 m | 49 m | 6 to 806 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 3,157 mm | 3,022 mm | 2,210 to 3,589 mm |
| Mean daily high | 30.0 °C | 29.8 °C | 25.9 to 30.5 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 22.6 °C | 22.6 °C | 18.2 to 24.1 °C |
Observed Climate at Elpitiya Plantations, Talgaswella (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Elpitiya Plantations, Talgaswella’s coordinates recorded 3,157 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was November (515 mm) and the driest was February (65 mm). Daytime highs averaged 30.0 °C and overnight lows 22.6 °C over the year; March was the warmest month and January the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 3,157 mm |
| Wettest month | November (515 mm) |
| Driest month | February (65 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 30.0 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 22.6 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Elpitiya Plantations, Talgaswella located?
Elpitiya Plantations, Talgaswella is in Southern Province, Sri Lanka, at coordinates 6.2454, 80.2723, at an elevation of about 24 metres.
Who operates Elpitiya Plantations, Talgaswella?
Elpitiya Plantations, Talgaswella is operated by Elpitiya Plantations, Talgaswella, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Elpitiya Plantations, Talgaswella produce?
Elpitiya Plantations, Talgaswella is recorded as producing black tea.
Which buyers does Elpitiya Plantations, Talgaswella supply?
Public supplier disclosures record Elpitiya Plantations, Talgaswella as supplying Finlays.
How much rain does Elpitiya Plantations, Talgaswella receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 3,157 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in November (515 mm).
How does Elpitiya Plantations, Talgaswella compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Elpitiya Plantations, Talgaswella recorded 3,157 mm in 2025, 11% more rain than the 2,837 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].
