Nuwara Eliya Courtlodge

Country of Origin: Sri Lanka
Region: Nuwara Eliya
Grade: FBOP (Flowery Broken Orange Pekoe)
Altitude: 6100 feet above sea level
Manufacture Type: Orthodox
Cup Characteristics: A top Ceylon tea estate. The cup is light with excellent flavor. Nuwara Eliya teas are called the
‘champagne of Ceylon’. Enjoyed any time of the day.
Infusion: Bright and coppery
Ingredients: Luxury black tea.

Courtlodge is in the Nuwara Eliya district of Sri Lanka. The estate has consistently produced some of the best teas in Sri Lanka over the years. The bright light liquoring tea has the point, astringency and lively flavour that has made “Ceylon” teas favoured the world over. The Nuwara Eliya district is in the central part of the island of Sri Lanka, straddling the ‘island divide’. In February the northwest monsoons create a rain shadow effect on the western side of Nuwara Eliya (the side where Courtlodge is situated) resulting in peak or seasonal quality during this time. The eastern side of the Nuwara Eliya district peaks in quality during August when the southwest monsoons create a rain shadow effect on the eastern side.

Sri Lanka is the largest single exporter of tea in the world. The country exports some 450 million pounds annually grown on half a million acres of land. Until 1869 Sri Lanka was principally a coffee exporter but a coffee blight wiped out the island’s coffee bushes. The area was replanted with tea by the British to serve to burgeoning tea market in Europe, Britain and the British colonies. During late 1960’s early 1980’s government ownership began to take its toll. There was little re-investment in upgrading of factories and maintenance of the bushes. As a result, by the end of the 80’s, yield per acre had fallen dramatically. Luckily this has not had an affect on quality for the high altitude tea estates.