Sri Lanka Ratnapura Lowland Black Tea
Dark fruit, molasses and a full body from the rain-soaked lowlands below Adam's Peak.
Ratnapura, the city of gems, is the capital of Sabaragamuwa, Sri Lanka's largest tea region, where low-grown tea thrives in heavy rain. The cup is dark and full-bodied, with a hint of sweet caramel. Brewed in a teapot at 94°C.
Sensory profile
You should taste
How it unfolds
Where it sits
That is 52 mg in one serving (8 oz cup (240ml)), a concentration of 21.7 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 | 201°F / 94°C |
| Target brew time | 3:00-4:00 |
| Serving | 8 oz cup (240ml) |
What you need
- 2.9 g loose-leaf black tea
- 240 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 240 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
Caffeine, in numbers
We list about 52 mg for an 8 oz cup.
Bold leaf, short fix
Low-grown leaf is bold. If the cup tastes harsh, take 30 seconds off the steep before you change the amount of leaf.
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.
Ratnapura, the city of gems, is the capital of Sabaragamuwa, Sri Lanka's largest tea region, where low-grown tea thrives in heavy rain. The cup is dark and full-bodied, with a hint of sweet caramel. Brewed in a teapot at 94°C.
Origin & Story
Ratnapura means city of gems, and the gem trade still dominates the town, which lies about 100 kilometers southeast of Colombo on the Kalu Ganga river. It is also the gateway to the mountain Adam's Peak, whose pilgrimage season runs from December to April.
The town sits at about 130 meters above sea level in a rainforest climate, with 3,500 to 5,000 millimeters of rain a year, mostly from the southwest monsoon. Tea, rubber, rice and tropical fruit also support the local economy, and the Sri Lanka Tea Board records the highest rainfall of any plantation district in the upper elevations of Sabaragamuwa.
Ratnapura is the capital of Sabaragamuwa Province, which is Sri Lanka's biggest tea-growing region, with estates from sea level to about 610 meters, between the Sinharaja rain forest and Adam's Peak. The bush grows fast and carries a long leaf. The Sri Lanka Tea Board describes the liquor as dark yellow-brown with a reddish tint, and the aroma as having a hint of sweet caramel.
The Tea Board says demand from the Middle East and the former Soviet Union helped the region's tea industry grow.
Use water at about 94°C and 3 g of leaf for 240 ml, steep for three to four minutes in a teapot, and taste it plain before you add milk or sugar.
Reading the Flavor Profile
| Axis | Score |
|---|---|
| Sweetness | 74/100 |
| Acidity | 42/100 |
| Bitterness | 52/100 |
| Body | 82/100 |
| Aroma | 84/100 |
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 Ratnapura Lowland Black Tea?
One serving, 8 oz cup (240ml), contains approximately 52 mg of caffeine.
What temperature should I use for Sri Lanka Ratnapura Lowland Black Tea?
Target 94°C (201°F).
How long should Sri Lanka Ratnapura Lowland Black Tea be extracted?
Timing: 3:00-4:00. Method: Teapot. Ratio: 12g leaves per Liter of water. Grind or leaf format: Whole Leaf or Broken Leaf.
What does Ratnapura mean?
It means city of gems: ratna is gem and pura is city. Ratnapura is the capital of Sabaragamuwa Province and the center of Sri Lanka's gem trade.
Is Ratnapura tea high-grown or low-grown?
Low-grown. Sabaragamuwa estates run from sea level to about 610 meters, and the bush grows fast with a long leaf.
Who should avoid Sri Lanka Ratnapura Lowland 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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