Question 1

What is Rillagalla tea?

Accepted Answer

Rillagalla is the commercial mark under which teas from Westhall Estate, near Nawalapitiya in Sri Lanka's central highlands, are sold. It is a mid-country orthodox black tea known for its full body, deep colour, and warm, rounded flavour. The name comes from the large groups of macaques that inhabit the estate's rocky terrain.

Question 2

Where is Westhall Estate in Sri Lanka?

Accepted Answer

Westhall Estate is located in the Rillagalla area near Nawalapitiya in Kandy district, in the central highlands of Sri Lanka. It sits within the mid-country tea-growing belt, with views across the Nagastenne mountain range and the Nawalapitiya valley.

Question 3

How old is Westhall Estate?

Accepted Answer

Westhall Estate dates to the earliest years of Ceylon's tea industry. By 1875, teas from the estate were already appearing at the Mincing Lane auctions in London, and by 1892 it had grown to more than 1,000 acres, placing it among the largest estates of that era.

Question 4

What grades of tea does Rillagalla produce?

Accepted Answer

Westhall Estate produces orthodox black tea in several standard mid-country grades, including BOP (Broken Orange Pekoe) and FBOP (Flowery Broken Orange Pekoe), as well as a range of specialty varieties. These teas are sold under the Rilagalla mark at the Colombo Tea Auctions.

Question 5

Is mid-country Ceylon tea different from high-grown tea?

Accepted Answer

Yes — mid-country teas like Rillagalla are grown at elevations roughly between 600 and 1,200 metres, producing a fuller-bodied, darker liquor compared with the lighter, more delicate high-grown teas from Nuwara Eliya or Dimbula. Mid-country teas are prized for their rich colour and are often used in blending as well as single-estate formats.

Question 6

Can I visit tea estates near Nawalapitiya?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the Nawalapitiya area is part of a well-established mid-country tea trail accessible from Kandy. Estate visits typically include a field walk, a look at the orthodox manufacturing process, and a tea tasting. Advance arrangements through a tour operator or DMC are usually required.

Question 7

Why are there monkeys at Rillagalla tea estate?

Accepted Answer

The estate takes its name from the toque macaques that inhabit its rocky terrain — 'Rillagalla' is derived from the Sinhala reference to these primates. The rocky outcrops and adjacent forest patches within and around the plantation provide natural habitat for these and other mid-country wildlife species.

Question 8

When is the best time to visit the Nawalapitiya tea region?

Accepted Answer

The clearest and driest periods in the Nawalapitiya area generally fall between January and March, and again around July and August. During these windows, mountain views across the Nagastenne range are at their best and road access into the tea estates is more reliable.

Westhall Estate (Rillagalla)

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