The principal production of tea in Ceylon (Sri Lanka, but the tea is referred to as Ceylon) is of black or fully oxidized tea. It is produced throughout the year, but the finest pluckings are in February and March, and again in August and September. The larger yield, though lower in quality, occurs during April, May, and June and again in October, November and December. In January the quality drops dramatically.

Ceylon Teas are divided into high, medium, and low grown. Of these, the high grown are of the very best quality and when coupled with the specific times of year (above paragraph) they can be stunning. Low to medium grown Ceylon’s have no particular distinction as far as leaf style is concerned but they do show (dependent upon leaf grade) good cup strength and color.

The high grown leaf picked at peak times of the year also have these characteristics but there is much more delicacy in their flavor.