In short: Muswenna is a low-grown black tea estate in Sri Lanka's Southern Province, at 32 metres elevation, known to supply Finlays.
Muswenna is a tea estate located in the Southern Province of Sri Lanka, at an elevation of 32 metres above sea level. The estate produces black tea and is known to supply Finlays, one of the major buyers in the global tea trade. At this altitude, Muswenna operates firmly within Sri Lanka's low-grown category, which accounts for the majority of the island's total tea output and is concentrated in coastal and lower-elevation districts.
Terroir & Climate
At 32 metres elevation, Muswenna occupies a position in Sri Lanka's low-grown belt, where estates typically experience warm, humid conditions year-round. This latitude—just above 6° North—and proximity to sea level generally mean that temperature variation is modest and rainfall can be abundant, particularly during the southwest monsoon season. Low-grown estates in the Southern Province tend to benefit from faster vegetative growth rates compared to their high-elevation counterparts, allowing for more frequent plucking rounds.
The warmer temperatures and lower altitude typically encourage vigorous bush growth and higher yields per hectare, though the leaf chemistry often differs from that of mid- or high-grown teas. Estates at this elevation generally produce teas with a different polyphenol profile, and the rapid growth can result in larger leaf and shorter withering times. The Southern Province's coastal geography often brings maritime influence, which can moderate temperature extremes but also introduce higher ambient humidity during processing.
Tea Produced
Muswenna produces black tea, the dominant category for low-grown Sri Lankan estates. Teas from this altitude and region typically yield a bold, full-bodied cup with strong colour and a straightforward, robust character. Low-grown Ceylon blacks are generally less nuanced than their high-grown counterparts but tend to offer good strength and are often valued for blending, particularly in markets that prioritise body and colour over floral or delicate aromatics. The cup profile at this elevation often features malty or earthy notes, with less of the brightness or citrus character associated with teas grown above 1,200 metres.
Supply Chain & Market Position
Muswenna is recorded as a supplier to Finlays, a vertically integrated tea business with extensive sourcing, blending, and distribution operations across major tea-producing origins. Finlays operates as both an estate owner and a buyer from third-party producers, and its presence in the supply chain typically indicates that Muswenna's output enters international blending and packaging streams. This relationship suggests the estate's production is oriented toward the export market, where low-grown Ceylon black teas are widely used in branded blends and foodservice applications demanding consistent strength and colour.
- Recorded supplier to Finlays
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Muswenna lies at 6.0601, 80.3700 in Southern Province, Sri Lanka. Its 32 m elevation is the joint 81st highest of 134 estates we map in Southern Province. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Naindawa — 1.8 km away
- Iththagala — 3.2 km away
- Paragodakanda — 3.4 km away
- Seranya — 3.4 km away
- Wilehena — 3.8 km away
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Muswenna
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Muswenna (32 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Muswenna recorded 3,022 mm in 2025, 21% more than the 2,493 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ranmeer | Southern Province, Sri Lanka | 32 m | 3,589 mm | 29.8 °C |
| Hafiz Tea Estate | Moulvibazar, Bangladesh | 33 m | 3,547 mm | 29.9 °C |
| Suizhou Shennong Tea Co., Ltd. | No.66 Jiqing St, China | 31 m | 1,354 mm | 23.4 °C |
| Zealong Tea Estate Ltd | 495 Gordonton Road, New Zealand | 33 m | 1,438 mm | 19.2 °C |
| Rajnagar Tea Estate Factory | Moulvibazar, Bangladesh | 30 m | 2,536 mm | 30.1 °C |
Muswenna Compared with Southern Province
In Southern Province, Muswenna is wetter than 50% of the others by 2025 rainfall; lower than 61% of the others by elevation; warmer than 62% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Muswenna 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 | Muswenna | Region median | Region range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 32 m | 49 m | 6 to 806 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 3,022 mm | 3,022 mm | 2,210 to 3,589 mm |
| Mean daily high | 29.9 °C | 29.8 °C | 25.9 to 30.5 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 22.7 °C | 22.6 °C | 18.2 to 24.1 °C |
Observed Climate at Muswenna (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Muswenna’s coordinates recorded 3,022 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was November (513 mm) and the driest was February (81 mm). Daytime highs averaged 29.9 °C and overnight lows 22.7 °C over the year; May was the warmest month and January the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 3,022 mm |
| Wettest month | November (513 mm) |
| Driest month | February (81 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 29.9 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 22.7 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Muswenna located?
Muswenna is in Southern Province, Sri Lanka, at coordinates 6.0601, 80.3700, at an elevation of about 32 metres.
What type of tea does Muswenna produce?
Muswenna is recorded as producing black tea.
Which buyers does Muswenna supply?
Public supplier disclosures record Muswenna as supplying Finlays.
How much rain does Muswenna receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 3,022 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in November (513 mm).
How does Muswenna compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Muswenna recorded 3,022 mm in 2025, 21% more rain than the 2,493 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].