Top Picks for Ceylon Tea: A Connoisseur's Delight

Ceylon tea, known for its distinct taste and aroma, has been a beloved beverage among tea enthusiasts worldwide. With various regions in Sri Lanka producing different flavors and strengths, choosing the best brand to match your taste can be a rewarding journey. Among the renowned brands that stand out for their quality and authenticity are Dilmah, a family-owned company that focuses on freshness and purity; and the iconic brand Ceylon Tea Trails, known for its premium luxury teas. Other notable names worth exploring include Basilur, with its exquisite packaging and diverse flavors, and the heritage-rich Mlesna. For more details on these brands and their unique offerings, continue reading below.

Illustration of ceylon tea

Best brands of ceylon tea in 2025

Dilmah

Dilmah is a renowned brand in the Ceylon tea industry, known for its high-quality, unblended, and garden-fresh teas. Founded by Merrill J. Fernando, Dilmah has championed quality, authenticity, and variety in tea, with a significant market presence in Australia where it holds around 13.9% of the market value and 11.7% of the market volume. The brand has been growing its revenues at an average annual rate of 16.8% and has a return on equity of 2.7%. Dilmah's commitment to sustainability and traditional tea-making practices has helped it maintain a strong brand value. As one of the leading tea brands, Dilmah continues to capitalize on its positioning as a high-value quality tea product.

Basilur

Basilur Tea is renowned as one of the top producers of high-quality Ceylon tea, celebrated for its innovative packaging and diverse flavor profiles. The company has achieved significant recognition, including winning the Top-10 Most Innovative Products of Canada Award in 2012 and the 2014 Top-10 Product Award at the SIAL Canada expo. In 2023, Basilur Tea Exports (Pvt) Ltd generated $35 million in export revenue, exporting 6,500 tons of tea. Their products, such as the Pure Ceylon and herbal infusions, have garnered acclaim for their quality and uniqueness. Basilur Tea continues to expand its market presence through extensive market research and professional marketing programs. Find more information about their exceptional products on their official website.

Ceylon Tea Trails

Ceylon Tea Trails, ranked No. 1 in World's Best Resorts: Rest of Asia by Conde Nast Traveller 2024, offers a luxurious and immersive experience in Sri Lanka's Central Highlands, a region renowned for producing some of the world's best tea. Sri Lanka, the 4th biggest tea-producing country globally, accounts for 10% of international tea production and 19% of global tea exports, with Ceylon Tea Trails situated in the heart of this tea-producing area. The resort features five historic tea-planter bungalows spread across 2,000 hectares, each offering unique settings and charm. Guests can enjoy guided tea factory tours, tea-infused dinners, and scenic cruises on Castlereagh Lake, highlighting the rich heritage and quality of Ceylon tea. This luxury retreat is part of the Resplendent Ceylon group, ensuring a high standard of hospitality and authenticity.

Tealia

Sri Lanka, renowned for its Ceylon tea, saw a cumulative production of 217.65 million kilograms from January to October 2024, marking a 1.16 million kilogram increase compared to the same period in 2023. Despite a decrease in High Grown tea, Medium and Low Grown teas showed positive variances in 2024. Ceylon tea is known for its high quality, with strict standards such as the B60 program enhancing green leaf production. In 2023, total tea production was 256.04 thousand metric tons, a positive growth from 2022 but a drop from 2021. Ceylon tea exports in 2023 totaled 241.91 thousand metric tons, with Iraq being the leading importer.

Tea Forte

Tea Forte is renowned for its exceptional quality and commitment to sustainable farming, particularly in the production of Ceylon tea. This brand sources its tea from leading tea-producing nations, including Sri Lanka, known for its high-quality and uniquely flavored teas. Sri Lanka, as the fourth biggest tea-producing country globally, contributes about 10% to the international tea production and 19% to global demand. Tea Forte's black tea blends, which include varieties from Sri Lanka, are prized for their complexity and astringency, making them a favorite among tea connoisseurs. The brand's focus on organic and sustainable practices enhances the health profile and taste of their teas. For more information, visit their official website.

Mlesna

Mlesna stands as a hallmark of quality Ceylon tea, both locally and internationally, having won 79 awards, including 19 Presidential Export Awards and 11 National Export Awards. The brand revolutionized the traditional tea export market by introducing specialty tea concepts and value-added consumer and gift packs, distinguishing itself from bulk tea exporters. Mlesna's strategy involved benchmarking competition and focusing on high-end markets, creating an uncontested market space by leveraging strengths from hospitality and tourism. This approach has made Mlesna a role model in the local tea retailing business, catering primarily to connoisseurs. The brand's teas, such as the Uva Black Tea, are known for their smooth, floral, and highly aromatic qualities. For a deeper understanding of Mlesna's strategic initiatives, you can visit their blue ocean branding strategy case study.

Zesta

Zesta, the flagship brand of Watawala Tea Ceylon Limited (WTCL), is renowned as one of the best producers of Ceylon tea, holding a significant 35% market share in Sri Lanka. Since its launch in 1998, Zesta has consistently delivered high-quality tea, sourced fresh from its own tea estates and packed in Sri Lanka. The brand's sister companies, Hatton Plantations and Watawala Plantations, collectively produce 25 million kilos of tea annually. Zesta's commitment to quality is evident through its stringent quality control system, where a specialized tea tasting team samples over 1,000 cups of freshly brewed tea daily. This dedication has enabled Zesta to challenge and surpass global brands in the Sri Lankan market. Discover more about why Zesta teas stand out globally.

Vahdam

Vahdam, although not a producer of Ceylon tea, is renowned for its high-quality Indian teas, sourced directly from farmers to eliminate middlemen and ensure fair prices. Founded by a young entrepreneur, Vahdam aims to bring fresh, ethical, and fair-trade teas to consumers globally. The brand has gained popularity with over 5 million customers and has been praised by celebrities like Oprah Winfrey and Ellen DeGeneres. Vahdam's model ensures that farmers receive better prices for their produce, supporting local communities. With a legacy of 90 years, Vahdam continues to grow, offering a wide range of teas and spices.

Bogawantalawa

Bogawantalawa Tea Estates is renowned as one of the premier producers of Ceylon tea, with a significant increase in production in 2023, marking a 6% rise to 4.1 million kilograms compared to the previous year. The company's tea production is predominantly from the Up Country region, with 93% of its output coming from this area. In 2023, the yield for the Up Country region was 1,101 kg per hectare, with the Bogawana Estate achieving the highest yield of 1,282 kg per hectare. Despite challenges, the company maintained a strong financial performance, with a turnover of Rs 5.0 billion and a profit before taxation of Rs 483.5 million. Bogawantalawa's commitment to sustainability and innovative agricultural practices has been instrumental in its success. For more detailed insights, view their Annual Financial Report 2023-2024.

Ahmad Tea

Ahmad Tea, established in 1986 in Hampshire, UK, is renowned for its high-quality Ceylon tea, drawing on four generations of tea blending and tasting experience. The company, now present in over 80 countries, is recognized for its commitment to quality and sustainability, with products that include 100% whole leaf tea and natural flavoring. Ahmad Tea's Ceylon tea is hand-plucked from medium and high altitude tea gardens in Sri Lanka, ensuring a rich and lively flavor. The company has also initiated various CSR projects, including supporting communities in Sri Lanka and other regions. Ahmad Tea's products have won awards, such as the Great Taste Award, for their exceptional taste and quality.