Sri Lanka Dimbulla Black Tea
A bright, mellow Ceylon black tea from the hills where coffee gave way to tea.
Dimbulla, also spelled Dimbula, is one of the seven tea districts of Sri Lanka, in the central highlands. Tea was planted here in the 1870s, after coffee leaf rust ruined the island's coffee.
Sensory profile
How it unfolds
Where it sits
That is 48 mg in one serving (6–8 oz cup (180–240 ml)), a concentration of 22.9 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 | 1:72 |
| Dose & yield | 2.9g → 210g |
| Grind size | Whole Leaf / Fannings |
| Water temperature | 201°F / 94°C |
| Target brew time | 3:00-4:00 |
| Serving | 6–8 oz cup (180–240 ml) |
What you need
- 2.9 g loose-leaf black tea
- 210 g filtered water at 94°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 210 g of water at 94°C over the leaf and cover. Start the timer.
- 3:50Remove the leaf or decant completely. Leaf left in the pot keeps extracting and turns the last cup bitter.
What it may be good for
A number worth knowing
We list about 48 mg for a 6 to 8 oz (180 to 240 ml) cup, made with 2.5 to 3 g of leaf per 200 ml.
A small, careful cup
This page suits a cup of 180 to 240 ml. If the cup tastes thin, add a little more leaf instead of steeping longer.
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.
Dimbulla, also spelled Dimbula, is one of the seven tea districts of Sri Lanka, in the central highlands. Tea was planted here in the 1870s, after coffee leaf rust ruined the island's coffee. The cup is bright and mellow, with citrus and a floral lift. Brewed in a teapot at 94°C.
Origin & Story
Sri Lanka grew coffee before it grew tea. Then, from 1869, a fungus called coffee leaf rust destroyed the island's coffee plantations, and planters turned to the crop James Taylor had planted in 1867.
Dimbula, in the central highlands between Nuwara Eliya and Horton Plains, was planted in the 1870s, and before that the Sri Lanka Tea Board describes the area as uninhabited and almost impenetrable.
Today Dimbula is one of seven principal tea districts, along with Nuwara Eliya, Uda Pussellawa, Uva, Kandy, Ruhuna and Sabaragamuwa. The Sri Lanka Tea Board owns the Lion logo of Ceylon tea, which may be used only on packs of 100% pure Ceylon tea that are packaged in Sri Lanka.
Tea is big business there: the island made a record 340 million kilograms in 2013 and ranked second in tea export earnings in 2020, after China. Tea accounts for about 2% of Sri Lanka's economy and employs more than a million people.
The cup is bright and mellow, with citrus and a floral lift over a light malt. For a 200 ml cup, use 2.5 to 3 g of leaf and water at about 94°C, steep for three to four minutes, and taste it plain.
Reading the Flavor Profile
| Axis | Score |
|---|---|
| Sweetness | 65/100 |
| Acidity | 60/100 |
| Bitterness | 40/100 |
| Body | 60/100 |
| Aroma | 75/100 |
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 Sri Lanka Dimbulla Black Tea?
One serving, 6–8 oz cup (180–240 ml), contains approximately 48 mg of caffeine.
What temperature should I use for Sri Lanka Dimbulla Black Tea?
Target 94°C (201°F).
How long should Sri Lanka Dimbulla Black Tea be extracted?
Timing: 3:00-4:00. Method: Teapot. Ratio: 2.5–3g per 200ml water. Grind or leaf format: Whole Leaf / Fannings.
Is Dimbulla the same as Dimbula?
Yes. Dimbula is the usual spelling, and Dimbulla is a common variant. Both name the same tea district in the central highlands of Sri Lanka.
Why did Sri Lanka switch from coffee to tea?
A fungus called coffee leaf rust destroyed the island's coffee plantations from 1869, and planters turned to tea, which James Taylor had planted in 1867.
Who should avoid Sri Lanka Dimbulla 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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