Ceylon Loose Leaf Black Tea - Ruhunu Lumbini Estate OP1

Our Ceylon loose leaf black tea from Ruhunu Lumbini Estate is a rich, full-bodied OP1 with bright coppery liquor, velvety texture and beautifully layered depth. Grown in southern Sri Lanka’s low-grown Ruhunu region, it offers a bold, rounded cup with plum-like sweetness, gentle astringency and the strength to enjoy either black or with a generous splash of milk.

Ceylon Loose Leaf Black Tea from Ruhunu Lumbini Estate

Lumbini Estate lies in the Ruhunu district of southern Sri Lanka, a low-grown tea region known for producing darker, fuller and more richly textured Ceylon black teas.

Where high-grown Ceylon teas are often brisk and lifted, Ruhunu teas tend to be deeper, smoother and more substantial in the cup. This OP1 from Lumbini Estate is an excellent example of that fuller style.

Long OP1 Leaf with Deep Low-Grown Character

The OP1 grade gives a long, well-formed orthodox leaf with attractive structure and a slower, more expressive infusion than broken-leaf grades.

In Ruhunu’s warm, humid growing conditions, the leaf develops a notably dark appearance and a bold, rounded flavour. The result is a tea with real presence, yet enough smoothness to remain elegant and highly drinkable.

Full-Bodied, Velvety and Gently Fruited

In the cup, this Ceylon loose leaf black tea brews to a bright coppery infusion with reddish highlights. The texture is thick and velvety, giving the tea a particularly satisfying mouthfeel.

The flavour is deep and full-bodied, with a brooding richness softened by a smooth plum-like note. A long, measured astringency adds structure and keeps the finish clean rather than heavy.

At a Glance

• Origin: Lumbini Estate, Ruhunu, Sri Lanka
• Tea type: Single-estate loose leaf black tea
• Grade: OP1
• Liquor: Bright coppery amber with red highlights
• Flavour: Full-bodied, velvety, rounded and gently plum-like
• Best enjoyed: Black or with milk

Excellent for Breakfast or a Strong Afternoon Cup

This is a substantial black tea with enough depth for breakfast, particularly for drinkers who enjoy a stronger, more rounded Ceylon style.

It also works beautifully later in the day when you want a single-estate tea with more body and texture than a lighter high-grown cup. Taken black, the fruity depth is most apparent. With milk, it becomes softer, richer and especially comforting.

How to Brew Ruhunu Lumbini Estate OP1

Use freshly boiled water at 100°C and add one heaped teaspoon per cup. Steep for 3 to 4 minutes for a bright, lively cup with the plum notes clearly present.

For a deeper, more assertive brew, extend to 5 minutes. If drinking black, the shorter steep is recommended. If adding milk, a slightly fuller brew helps the tea retain its generous body.

Ingredients

Black tea from Lumbini Estate, Ruhunu, Sri Lanka.

About High Teas London

High Teas London has been sourcing distinctive loose leaf teas and infusions since 2008. With over 350 different teas in our collection, we are proud to offer single-estate teas that reveal the true character of their origin, including richly textured low-grown Ceylon teas such as Ruhunu Lumbini Estate OP1.