Ceylon tea: how to choose it, what the labels mean and how to brew it
Ceylon tea is tea grown in Sri Lanka; Ceylon is the island's old name, and the tea trade kept it. Most Ceylon tea is black tea with a clear, golden-red liquor, a bright flavour and a light briskness, drunk plain, with lemon or with milk. In Polish shops it is sold as "herbata cejlońska", and many packs simply say "Ceylon".
Where Ceylon tea comes from
Tea has been grown on a large scale in Sri Lanka since the 19th century. Today it comes from estates in the hills of the central and southern parts of the island, and the taste depends on the altitude:
- High-grown (for example Nuwara Eliya, Dimbula, Uva): a lighter, more aromatic cup, sometimes floral.
- Mid-grown (for example around Kandy): a full, strong cup.
- Low-grown (for example Ruhuna): a dark, strong, malty cup that takes milk well.
Most tea bags hold a blend from several regions.
What "Pure Ceylon" means
"Pure Ceylon" or "100% Ceylon" on a pack means that all the tea in it comes from Sri Lanka and is not blended with tea from other countries. Many packs also carry a logo of a lion holding a sword with the words "Ceylon Tea". Sri Lanka uses this mark for Ceylon tea packed in the country. A pack that only says "Ceylon blend", or says nothing about origin, may be a blend.
How to read the leaf grades
Loose-leaf packs carry short codes. They describe the size of the leaf, not the quality of the taste:
- OP (Orange Pekoe): long, whole, twisted leaves. A milder cup that needs a longer brew.
- BOP (Broken Orange Pekoe): broken leaves. A stronger cup that brews faster. This is the typical Ceylon loose tea.
- Pekoe: shorter, thicker leaves.
- Fannings and Dust: very small particles that go into tea bags. They brew in 2 to 3 minutes and give a strong colour.
Ceylon tea brands you will find in Poland
- Akbar: Pure Ceylon in tea bags and loose, and the Do Ghazal range, also with cardamom and as Earl Grey.
- Ahmad Tea: Ceylon Tea in bags, loose tea in a tin and Premium Ceylon in a 500 g pack.
- Mahmood Tea: Ceylon black tea in bags and a cardamom version.
Choose by how you drink tea. For a quick mug, take bags. For a teapot or for tea with milk, take loose BOP. If you like spiced tea, a Ceylon tea with cardamom saves you a step. We compare the two kinds of cardamom in green and black cardamom, and everyday black tea bags in our black tea bags guide.
How to brew Ceylon tea
- Boil fresh water and wait a few seconds (about 95 °C).
- For a 250 ml mug, use 1 tea bag or 1 level teaspoon (2 to 3 g) of loose tea.
- Brew a bag for 2 to 3 minutes and loose tea for 3 to 5 minutes.
- Take out the bag or strain the leaves. A long brew gives a bitter, astringent cup.
Indian-style with milk: bring half a glass of water and half a glass of milk to the boil, add 2 teaspoons of loose tea, a crushed cardamom pod and sugar, boil for 2 to 3 minutes and strain.
Where to buy Ceylon tea in Poland
Pure Ceylon tea bags are on the page Pure Ceylon Tea Akbar 100 tea bags. For Ahmad, there is Ceylon Tea Ahmad Tea 100 tea bags and the loose Premium Ceylon leaf tea Ahmad Tea 500 g; the whole range is on the Ahmad Tea brand page. Little India has shops in Warsaw, Kraków, Wrocław and Gdańsk and ships orders across Poland.
FAQ
What is Pure Ceylon tea?
Tea that comes entirely from Sri Lanka, with no tea from other countries blended in.
Is Ceylon tea always black tea?
Usually. Sri Lanka also makes green and white tea, but black tea is what you mostly see on the shelf.
How long should I brew Ceylon tea?
A tea bag for 2 to 3 minutes, loose tea for 3 to 5 minutes, in water at about 95 °C.
What is the difference between Ahmad Ceylon and Akbar Pure Ceylon?
They are two brands of Ceylon tea. The blend and the leaf size differ, so the taste differs too. The simplest way to choose is to try both in tea bags.