Sri Lanka Ruhuna Black Tea
Strong, full-flavored low-country Ceylon from the south, where tea arrived around 1900.
Ruhuna is the low-grown tea region of Sri Lanka's Southern Province, running from the coastal plains to the edge of the Sinharaja rain forest. Its black tea is strong and full-bodied, with malt, brown-sugar sweetness and a hint of cocoa.
Sensory profile
You should taste
How it unfolds
Where it sits
That is 52 mg in one serving (6–8 oz cup (180–240 ml)), a concentration of 24.8 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 | 1:72 |
| Dose & yield | 2.9g → 210g |
| Grind size | Fannings / BOP |
| Water temperature | 203°F / 95°C |
| Target brew time | 2:30-3:30 |
| Serving | 6–8 oz cup (180–240 ml) |
What you need
- 2.9 g loose-leaf black tea
- 210 g filtered water at 95°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 95°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
The caffeine count
We list about 52 mg for a 6 to 8 oz (180 to 240 ml) cup, made with 2.5 to 3 g of leaf per 200 ml.
Broken leaf brews fast
If your Ruhuna is a broken grade such as BOP, take 30 seconds off the steep. Small pieces give up flavor quickly and turn bitter if left too long.
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.
Ruhuna is the low-grown tea region of Sri Lanka's Southern Province, running from the coastal plains to the edge of the Sinharaja rain forest. Its black tea is strong and full-bodied, with malt, brown-sugar sweetness and a hint of cocoa. Brewed in a teapot at 95°C.
Origin & Story
Ruhuna, in what is now the Southern Province of Sri Lanka, runs from the coastal plains up to the southern edge of the Sinharaja rain forest. Its estates lie at 600 meters or below, which makes it one of the island's low-grown tea districts, watered by the southwest monsoon.
Tea came late to the south, around 1900, but the district grew into a major producer in the 1970s, when the Middle East developed a market for strong black teas. Together, Ruhuna and Sabaragamuwa account for about 60% of all the tea Sri Lanka grows, and in 2022 low-grown tea made up about 62% of the national total.
The bushes grow fast at this altitude, and the leaf is long, with prized tips among the styles made. The Sri Lanka Tea Board calls the tea strong and full-flavored, a specialty of the district, and low-grown teas like this one are popular in the Middle East.
Use water at about 95°C and 2.5 to 3 g of leaf for 200 ml, and steep for two and a half to three and a half minutes in a teapot; broken grades such as BOP infuse quickly, so watch the clock. Taste it plain, then add milk if you like.
Reading the Flavor Profile
| Axis | Score |
|---|---|
| Sweetness | 75/100 |
| Acidity | 50/100 |
| Bitterness | 45/100 |
| Body | 80/100 |
| Aroma | 70/100 |
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 Ruhuna Black Tea?
One serving, 6–8 oz cup (180–240 ml), contains approximately 52 mg of caffeine.
What temperature should I use for Sri Lanka Ruhuna Black Tea?
Target 95°C (203°F).
How long should Sri Lanka Ruhuna Black Tea be extracted?
Timing: 2:30-3:30. Method: Teapot. Ratio: 2.5–3g per 200ml water. Grind or leaf format: Fannings / BOP.
Where is Ruhuna tea grown?
In Sri Lanka's Southern Province, from the coastal plains to the southern edge of the Sinharaja rain forest, at 600 meters or lower.
What is low-grown Ceylon tea?
Ceylon tea grown below about 600 meters. These low-country teas are strong and full-flavored, and they make up about 60% of what Sri Lanka grows.
Who should avoid Sri Lanka Ruhuna 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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