Ceylon Nuwara Eliya Black Tea
Mint, citrus and a delicate floral lift in Ceylon's lightest, palest cup.
Nuwara Eliya is Sri Lanka's coolest tea district, on a plateau at about 1,870 meters under the island's highest mountain.
Sensory profile
How it unfolds
Where it sits
That is 45 mg in one serving (8 oz cup (240ml)), a concentration of 18.8 mg per 100 ml. The scale above ranks whole servings, and servings differ in size, so a larger drink can sit further right while being weaker cup for cup.
Editorial estimate, not a laboratory measurement
Related gear
Related reading
| Brewing method | Teapot |
|---|---|
| Brew ratio | 1:83 |
| Dose & yield | 2.9g → 240g |
| Grind size | Whole Leaf or Broken Leaf |
| Water temperature | 194°F / 90°C |
| Target brew time | 2:30-3:30 |
| Serving | 8 oz cup (240ml) |
What you need
- 2.9 g loose-leaf black tea
- 240 g filtered water at 90°C
Required gear
Step-by-step protocol
- 0:00Warm the pot with hot water and pour it away, so the brewing water does not lose heat to cold ceramic.
- 0:10Add 2.9 g of leaf to the pot or basket, leaving room for it to open.
- 0:20Pour 240 g of water at 90°C over the leaf and cover. Start the timer.
- 3:20Remove the leaf or decant completely. Leaf left in the pot keeps extracting and turns the last cup bitter.
What it may be good for
How strong is it?
We list about 45 mg for an 8 oz cup.
A cooler, shorter steep
Nuwara Eliya is the most delicate of the Ceylon teas. Use water a little below the boil, and taste at the shorter end of the steep before adding more time.
What to watch out for
- Caffeine affects everyone differently. If you are pregnant or nursing, sensitive to caffeine, or have been told to limit it, check with your doctor about how much tea is right for you.
Nuwara Eliya is Sri Lanka's coolest tea district, on a plateau at about 1,870 meters under the island's highest mountain. Its black tea is the palest of the Ceylon teas, golden and delicately fragrant, with mint, a touch of citrus and a floral lift. Brewed in a teapot at 90°C.
Origin & Story
Nuwara Eliya sits on a plateau at about 1,870 meters, under Pidurutalagala, the tallest mountain in Sri Lanka. The name means city on the plain or city of light, and the British nicknamed the town Little England, a retreat for fox hunting, polo, golf and cricket. The explorer Samuel Baker founded the settlement in 1846.
Tea came later. Planting took off after 1875, once coffee blight had undone the island's coffee estates, and by the end of the century Nuwara Eliya was one of the principal tea districts of Ceylon.
It is the coolest area in Sri Lanka, with a mean annual temperature of about 16°C. The Sri Lanka Tea Board describes the air as cool and bracing, with winds scented with eucalyptus and wild mint and nights that are cold and sometimes frosty. The infusion is the lightest, palest of all the Ceylon teas, golden in color and delicately fragrant, and the most sought-after grades are whole-leaf Orange Pekoe and Broken Orange Pekoe.
Brew gently. Use water at about 90°C and 3 g of leaf for 240 ml, steep for two and a half to three and a half minutes, and drink it plain so the mint and citrus are not buried.
Reading the Flavor Profile
| Axis | Score |
|---|---|
| Sweetness | 70/100 |
| Acidity | 62/100 |
| Bitterness | 36/100 |
| Body | 54/100 |
| Aroma | 94/100 |
These values are comparative editorial positions within our own catalog, calibrated so entries can be ranked against each other. They are not laboratory measurements.
How much caffeine is in Ceylon Nuwara Eliya Black Tea?
One serving, 8 oz cup (240ml), contains approximately 45 mg of caffeine.
What temperature should I use for Ceylon Nuwara Eliya Black Tea?
Target 90°C (194°F).
How long should Ceylon Nuwara Eliya Black Tea be extracted?
Timing: 2:30-3:30. Method: Teapot. Ratio: 12g leaves per Liter of water. Grind or leaf format: Whole Leaf or Broken Leaf.
What does Nuwara Eliya mean?
It means city on the plain, or city of light. The town sits on a plateau at about 1,870 meters, under Sri Lanka's tallest mountain, Pidurutalagala.
How light is Nuwara Eliya tea?
It is the lightest, palest of the Ceylon teas, golden in the cup and delicately fragrant, according to the Sri Lanka Tea Board.
Who should avoid Ceylon Nuwara Eliya Black Tea?
Caffeine affects everyone differently. If you are pregnant or nursing, sensitive to caffeine, or have been told to limit it, check with your doctor about how much tea is right for you. This information is educational and is not medical advice. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, managing a cardiac or gastrointestinal condition, or taking prescription medication, discuss caffeine and botanical intake with a qualified healthcare professional before making changes.
What people say
Borosilicate Glass Teapot with Infuser
In this recipe: Teapot with room for the leaf to open
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