As Brits, tea is practically in our blood. We are a nation fuelled by a good cuppa. But, although the packaging may suggest homegrown leaves (yes, we’re looking at you Yorkshire Tea), few of us know where our morning brew actually comes from. The glaringly obvious answer? Asia. A sprawling continent in which they actually have the climate to cultivate the good stuff. Alongside China and India, Sri Lanka is one of the world’s top tea producing nations, meaning that a great, big, fat fifth of the tea sold around the world originates from this teeny tiny island nation.
Up in the genteel highlands of Nuwara Eliya – a hill station dubbed ‘Little England’ – the rolling topography is defined by impeccably assembled plantations. Here, the contour planting methods result in row upon row of hill-hugging shrubs. Here, the lush views are endless. Here, one of the country’s biggest exports has been growing since our colonial ancestors introduced the trade back in 1867. Here, you’re in the home of tea. Does anything sound more music-like to British ears? We don’t think so either.