What type of tea does New Vithanakande produce?

New Vithanakande specialises in orthodox low-grown Ceylon black tea, producing grades including FBOPF EX SP and FBOP. These grades are characterised by a full, mellow liquor with good colour, qualities that make them popular with tea blenders sourcing low-country Sri Lankan leaf.

Where is New Vithanakande Tea Factory located?

The factory is situated near Ratnapura in the Sabaragamuwa Province of Sri Lanka, roughly 100 kilometres southeast of Colombo. It occupies a hillside position overlooking the Sinharaja Forest Reserve.

When was New Vithanakande Tea Factory founded?

Construction began in the early 1940s and commercial production started in 1947 under founder Punchi Bandara Herath Pilapitiya. The factory was modernised extensively from 1981 onwards under the current proprietor, Navaratna Pilapitiya.

Can tourists visit the New Vithanakande tea factory?

The factory generally welcomes visitors who want to see orthodox tea processing in action. Arriving on a weekday morning gives the best chance of observing the full production sequence from green leaf reception through to grading. It is worth confirming access arrangements in advance, particularly during peak production periods.

What does low-grown Ceylon tea taste like?

Low-grown teas from the Ratnapura and Sabaragamuwa regions tend to be fuller-bodied and less astringent than high-grown varieties. New Vithanakande teas specifically are noted for a mellow, rounded character with a rich colour in the cup, influenced in part by the humid microclimate near Sinharaja.

How far is New Vithanakande from Sinharaja rainforest?

The factory is positioned on a hilltop from which Sinharaja Forest Reserve is visible, placing it very close to the reserve's northern fringe. Visitors combining a factory visit with a Sinharaja forest walk can do both in a single day trip from Ratnapura.

Where can I buy New Vithanakande estate tea online?

Lakpura stocks single-estate New Vithanakande teas in FBOPF EX SP and FBOP grades, available directly through the Lakpura website. These are packed in Sri Lanka and shipped internationally, allowing tea enthusiasts to order directly from the source estate.

New Vithanakande — Lakpura®

New Vithanakande is situated near Ratnapura, the fabled city of gems,in the heart of the low country planting district of Sri Lanka. The factory is perched on a hill overlooking the world famous Sinharaja rain forest.This strategic location combined with favourable climatic conditions, gives New Vithanakande teas the special mellow character that distinguishes them from others.

nitial construction had being undertaken in the early 1940’s and brought into production during the year 1947 by the late Punchi Bandara Herath Pilapitiya. With his demise in the year 1954, this concern went through usual family management transitions and in the year 1981 was taken over under a sole proprietorship by Navaratna Pilapitiya the youngest son of the founder, the present Chairman / Managing Director of New Vithanakande Tea Factory (Pvt) Ltd. Since then it has been going through continuous improvements and modernization. From an average of around 1500 lbs. of green leaf intake per day in the year of commencement 1981, it has now peaked to an average 22,000 kgms. of green leaf intake per day turning out around 140,000 kgms. of made tea monthly.