Representative of Ceylon Black Tea: Characteristics of Nuwara Eliya Tea and How to Brew It Deliciously

You might have heard the term “Ceylon tea” before, but do you know where Ceylon is? In fact, Ceylon is an island in the Indian Ocean that was originally a British colony. It gained independence as Ceylon in 1948 and was renamed the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka in 1972. So, Ceylon tea refers to the tea produced in Sri Lanka.

Tea is a major industry in Sri Lanka, but before tea production began, Sri Lanka was one of the world’s top exporters of coffee. However, in 1868, the coffee industry suffered severe damage from a disease called coffee rust, leading to a rapid decline in Ceylon coffee and a shift to tea cultivation.

Due to its relatively recent history in tea cultivation, some people refer to Sri Lanka as the “New World” of tea, similar to how new wine regions are referred to in the wine world.

Despite its short history, Sri Lanka now produces about 30 tons of tea leaves annually, and Ceylon tea has grown into a globally recognized and highly esteemed brand.

In this article, we’ll introduce Nuwara Eliya tea, which is produced in Nuwara Eliya, the highest tea-growing city in Sri Lanka. Let’s explore the characteristics of Nuwara Eliya tea and how to brew it deliciously.

As explained earlier, Nuwara Eliya is a city name, so even if you refer to Nuwara Eliya tea, there are various sizes of tea leaves available.

The Nuwara Eliya tea introduced here is a type with very fine tea leaves, as shown in the photo. It is produced using the CTC method, which stands for Crush, Tear, Curl, resulting in its fine texture.

CTC tea leaves are fine, allowing for good extraction in a short time, which is a notable feature compared to larger tea leaves that require longer brewing times. The brewing conditions provided are specific to CTC Nuwara Eliya black tea. If you are brewing Nuwara Eliya tea with larger leaves, you might need to adjust the brewing conditions accordingly. Darjeeling Black Tea It might be helpful to refer to the extraction conditions, among others.

Characteristics of Tea Leaves and Tea

As mentioned above, CTC Nuwara Eliya black tea is characterized by its fine tea leaves. Even with a short brewing time, you can extract a vibrant red caramel brown liquor. Since you can achieve the color typically associated with “black tea” quickly, your happy tea time starts as soon as you add hot water to the tea leaves.

Flavor Characteristics

CTC Nuwara Eliya black tea features a balanced body and a refreshing astringency that sweeps through your mouth.

Aroma Characteristics

Nuwara Eliya black tea is noted for its herbal aroma, which some may find reminiscent of mint.

Brewing Conditions

• Tea leaves: 3g (1–2 teaspoons)
• Water amount: 300ml
• Brewing temperature: 95°C
• Brewing time: 1.5 minutes. For a stronger body with more bitterness and astringency, brew for about 2 minutes according to your preference.

Recommended Tea Pairings

• Monaka (Japanese wafer cakes)
• Daifuku (sweet rice cakes)
• Yokan (sweet jelly)

The distinctive astringency and bitterness of CTC Nuwara Eliya pair exceptionally well with sweet confections. For a relaxing afternoon tea, try combining Nuwara Eliya with sweet treats to enhance the experience.

teplo teapot Using the teplo teapot, you can automatically brew tea under optimal conditions. If you’re interested, be sure to check it out.