Uda Pusselawa Region: Two Growing Seasons in one year.

Sitting between the regions Nuwaraeliya and Uva, is the little known and often forgotten region of Uda Pusselawa. This high grown region is not known to tea connoisseurs and blenders, and many outside of Sri Lanka will not have heard of it. Dig around and you will be pleasantly surprised by what this region has to offer. 

Uda Pusselawa or Ud Puss as it is better known, is still “wild country”: thinly populated with no large towns.

Kirkless Estate - in the Ud Puss Region

A large part of the region is formed of the Hakgala Strict Nature reserve which is a cloud forest, and a continuation of the Hakgala botanical garden, home to many exotic plant species and leopards. The region is made up of three sub districts Maturata, Ragala and Halgranoya. 

Unlike many of Sri Lanka’s other high grown regions, Ud Puss is blessed by two quality seasonal tea making seasons. The Western quality season of January and February, and the Uva season from July to August. Outside of these seasons, a raincoat is essential as rain is present for over 200 days of the year. Many of the of the peaks are covered in an eternal mist. 

Drinkers who are familiar with Nuwara Eliya teas like Lovers Leap, will know of their slight astringency and of Seasonal Uvas that carry a wintergreen flavour. Ud Puss teas produced during the two quality seasons have a naturally pinkish hue, rosy aroma, and unmistakable “tangy” flavour. 

A view from the High Country

This year we have ear marked a few estates for visits to make some quality Ud Puss teas.