Mlesna Kandy FBOP1 is a 500g pack of pure Ceylon black tea, loose-leaf, grown in the Kandy district of Sri Lanka's Central Province and produced by Mlesna (Ceylon) Ltd., one of the country's most established tea manufacturers and exporters.
Kandy holds a particular place in the story of Sri Lankan tea: the industry took root there in 1867, making it the original tea-growing region on the island. The gardens sit at mid-grown altitudes — broadly between 650 and 1,300 metres above sea level — which gives Kandy teas a character distinct from the high-grown estates further south. The infusion is notably strong and full-bodied, with a bright, coppery tone in the cup that mid-grown teas are known for.
The grade designation F.B.O.P 1 stands for Flowery Broken Orange Pekoe 1. Within the Ceylon grading system, FBOP is a broken-leaf grade that includes some silvery tips; the '1' suffix indicates a slightly smaller, more refined particle size within that category — a leaf-size classification rather than a flavour ranking. The sole declared ingredient is Pure Ceylon Black Tea, with nothing added.
The pack carries the Ceylon Tea certification mark, the use of which is regulated by the Sri Lanka Tea Board. Tea must pass inspection before a producer is permitted to display it, so its presence on the label indicates the tea meets the Board's standards for origin and quality. Mlesna, founded in 1983 and headquartered in Colombo, has built an export reputation across black, green, flavoured, and herbal teas in loose, tea-bag, and gift formats.
This is a loose-leaf tea, suited to a teapot or infuser. It works well brewed on its own or with milk, and the strength of the grade holds up well against both. The pack should be stored in a cool, dry place to keep the leaf in good condition.
