Ceylon OP Estate is a high-grown orange pekoe grade black tea from the tea highlands of Sri Lanka, known in the trade as Ceylon — a name retained from the island’s colonial-era identity. Orange Pekoe (OP) is a grade designation indicating whole-leaf tea with a twisted, wiry appearance, not bagged dust. Ceylon OP from estate gardens above 4,000 feet — in regions like Nuwara Eliya, Uva, and Dimbula — is prized for its bright, citrus-forward character, clean finish, and brisk, medium-bodied cup.
Ceylon tea undergoes full orthodox processing: withering, rolling, oxidation, and firing. The high altitude and cool nights slow leaf development, concentrating the flavor compounds that give Ceylon its distinctive brightness and subtle citrus note.
In the cup, Ceylon OP Estate brews a clear, bright amber-orange. The aroma is clean and slightly citrusy. The body is medium and crisp, the finish clean and brisk. It takes milk well and makes an excellent afternoon tea.
Brew at 195°F for 3–4 minutes. Use 2 grams per 8-ounce cup.