Rooted In Ceylon, Trusted Worldwide.
From the misty hills of the central highlands to your cup — a family business built on quality and provenance.
Our Story
Silk Route Ceylon Teas was founded to bring genuine, single-origin Ceylon tea directly from Sri Lanka's tea gardens to buyers around the world. We work closely with estates across the island's tea-growing regions, selecting leaf for its character, elevation, and craftsmanship rather than volume alone.
Every pack we export carries the standards set by the Sri Lanka Tea Board — a guarantee of authenticity our partners have come to rely on.
Our Heritage
The Heritage of Ceylon Tea
Our Beginning
The story of Ceylon Tea began with James Taylor, a Scottish-born pioneer who is widely regarded as the father of the Ceylon tea industry. In 1867, at the Loolecondera Estate in Kandy, Taylor established Sri Lanka's first commercial tea plantation and developed many of the early techniques used to cultivate, manufacture and process tea. His pioneering work laid the foundation for what would become one of the world's most celebrated tea-growing regions.
The Lion Logo
The Ceylon Tea Symbol of Quality, better known as the Lion Logo, is a stamp of approval that certifies tea manufacturers as meeting the high standards set by the Sri Lanka Tea Board. The Logo is owned by the Sri Lanka Tea Board and is globally trademarked. The presence of the Lion Logo on your pack of Silk Route Ceylon Teas is a guarantee that you are enjoying a cup of 100% Pure Ceylon Tea, packed in Sri Lanka.
The Sri Lanka Tea Board has a special Tea Tasting Unit responsible for the Lion Logo. Together with the analytical laboratory, this unit assesses the quality of Ceylon Tea prior to auction and export — its approval is essential for any tea packed or branded in Sri Lanka that carries the Logo.
Our Guarantee
The presence of the Lion Logo on every pack assures you that:
- The pack contains 100% Pure Ceylon Tea.
- The tea is packed in Sri Lanka — overseas importers and packers may not use the Lion Logo, even on packs containing pure Ceylon Tea.
- Silk Route Ceylon Teas meets the strict quality standards set by the Sri Lanka Tea Board.
Provenance
Our Tea Gardens
Six distinct regions across Sri Lanka's central highlands and southern lowlands, each giving our teas their own character.
Dimbulla
A mid-to-high grown region known for a well-balanced, brisk cup with a bright, mellow character.
Nuwara Eliya
Sri Lanka's highest tea gardens, producing a delicate, fragrant cup often compared to the finest Darjeeling teas.
Uva
Swept by dry monsoon winds, Uva teas carry a distinctive, exotic aroma unique among Ceylon origins.
Ella
A scenic highland region whose cooler climate yields a smooth, aromatic cup with gentle astringency.
Haputale
Perched along a dramatic escarpment, Haputale's estates produce a full-bodied tea with notable depth.
Ruhuna
A low-grown southern region giving a strong, dark-liquoring tea prized for its rich, full flavour.