Kandy OP1 Kenilworth Estate Loose Leaf Black Tea

🍵 The Estate — A single-origin Ceylon black tea from Kenilworth, one of Sri Lanka's most respected medium-grown estates, with a history stretching back to the 1880s

🍵 The Colour — Brews a bright, warm amber liquor with excellent clarity — rich enough to take milk well, satisfying enough to drink straight

🍵 The Character — Full-bodied and smooth, with a clean, dependable strength and a gentle, lingering finish that is never harsh or astringent

🍵 The Occasion — An ideal everyday loose leaf black tea, equally at home as a morning brew or a steady mid-afternoon cup

Kenilworth Estate has been one of the most consistent and admired names in Sri Lankan tea for well over a century. The estate's formal history dates back to around 1880, when British planters transitioned from coffee to tea in the central highlands following the collapse of the coffee industry. Its name, inherited from Kenilworth Castle in Warwickshire, reflects that British colonial origin — a detail that gives this loose leaf Ceylon black tea a satisfying thread of history running back through the cup. Today, Kenilworth is part of Hatton Plantations and holds Fairtrade certification alongside accreditation from the Rainforest Alliance and the Ethical Tea Partnership, making it a tea with both quality and conscience behind it.

Situated in the Central Province of Sri Lanka's Nuwara Eliya district, the estate sits at elevations between 616 and 640 metres, placing it firmly in the medium-grown category — that productive middle altitude where the climate is neither too hot nor too cool, and the leaf develops real body and structure without sacrificing smoothness. Kenilworth ranks among the top medium-grown marks at the Colombo Tea Auction, often leading prices for its Orthodox teas, a standing built on reliable leaf quality, stable liquor traits, and decades of buyer trust. 

This OP1 grade refers to the leaf style: a neat, wiry, well-made whole leaf that produces a consistently bright and balanced cup. Orange Pekoe is not a flavour descriptor but a grading term, and the quality it signals here is genuine — a strong, full-bodied black tea with the kind of smooth, clean finish that rewards both careful brewing and everyday drinking. It is pure black tea with nothing added, allowing the character of the Kenilworth leaf and the distinctive medium-grown terroir to speak for itself.

Since 2008, High Teas London has been one of the country's leading independent tea specialists. With over 350 teas and infusions — one of the largest collections in the country — sourced from estates and gardens across the world, our aim is always to bring something genuinely worthwhile to your cup. Kandy OP1 from Kenilworth Estate is a tea that earns its place in any serious collection.

Ingredients: Black tea (Camellia sinensis).

Brewing Note: Kenilworth OP1 is a straightforward, rewarding tea to brew, and it responds well to a little attention. Use freshly drawn water brought to a full boil — 100°C — and measure approximately one heaped teaspoon of leaf per cup. Steep for three to four minutes for a bright, balanced cup, or allow four to five minutes if you prefer more strength and body. This tea takes milk comfortably and holds up well to a longer steep without turning bitter, making it a very forgiving choice for everyday brewing. There is no need for a rinse or pre-warm beyond the usual, though warming the pot first will keep the temperature stable and bring out the best of the liquor.