The hill country of Sri Lanka is highly renowned for its breath-taking plantations that hold centre stage over many of the mountains that adorn the area. There are many tea-plantations and factories to be explored throughout the island, yet one of the most highly recommended is The Bluefield Tea Garden. It is situated within the popular hill-top city of Nuwara Eliya, close to many Nuwara Eliya bungalows such as the Jetwing Warwick Gardens.
Out of the various attractions in and around this famed city, many visitors would tell you that taking a visit to this tea factory is one of the most essential things to do in Nuwara Eliya. The guided tour of this facility is completely free and is bound to be a very comprehensive journey into the ways of industrial tea production.
Upon arrival, guests will be greeted by a uniformed guide who will then begin the introduction the tour. The first stage would be where the tea leaves are plucked, and guests will observe the raw leaves, and the buds, being loaded into a machine in order for them to be dehydrated. The identifiable odour of tea-leaves will be evident once the process is complete.
Next the leaves will be exposed to heat in a process called ‘firing, after which they are sorted into various batches depending on quality. Finally the assorted teas are packaged and organised according to their flavours and qualities.
At the conclusion of the tour, all the guests are greeted to a complimentary cup of tea at the in-house restaurant. Guests can also order various other kinds of tea as well, but for a price. The restaurant also serves a variety of snacks that are bound to complement a tea ceremony.
If you’re ever in the Nuwara Eliya area, be sure to visit this captivating attraction for an experience you won’t soon forget.
Caleb Falcon is a travel writer who specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers.