As we continue our exploration of tea origins, our next stop is an island country called Sri Lanka. This South Asian island lies in the Indian Ocean and is geographically separated from peninsular India by the Gulf of Mannar and Palk Strait. Originally known for generations as “Ceylon,” Sri Lanka became the country’s official name in 1972. Sri Lanka has cool temperatures and heavy rainfall, which gives it the perfect climate for harvesting tea. As you may have guessed, this country is known for its production of Ceylon black tea. Praised for its unique taste and signature aroma, Sri Lanka is currently the fourth largest tea producer in the world and one of the world’s leading tea exporters.
