Kandy Heights, Sri Lanka

Our relationship with the Craighead Estate goes way back, so it's a pleasure to offer this superb FBOP tea from them. Lying in the hilly Kandy district, home of the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, the estate's tea garden sits at around 1100 metres above sea level, surrounded by breathtaking peaks and valleys. Craighead is the ultimate medium-grown Ceylon estate, its garden benefitting from the region's near-perfect climate. This tea was harvested during the 'western quality season', when the early year monsoons hit the east of the island and draw cool, drying air up through the western slopes. This quickly dries the new leaves on the bush and helps seal in their freshness.

Although only small, Sri Lanka is the fourth largest tea producing country in the world, thanks to its ideal conditions. Rugged and mountainous, Sri Lanka's teas (known by the country's colonial name 'Ceylon') are classified by the height at which they grow. Low-grown teas from below 600 metres are strong and full-bodied, while high-grown teas from above 1200 metres are the epitome of elegance. But we favour balance in all things, like this impeccable medium-grown Flowery Broken Orange Pekoe. With fruity depths, exotic complexities and a citrus freshness, it's the perfect any-time Ceylon.