Southern Sunrise: A Malty New Take on Ceylon Breakfast Tea

For years, Planters Breakfast has been a faithful companion to so many of you; filling breakfast teapots, and adding a much-needed burst of energy to power through the day. It’s a blend known for its body, strength, and colour; a tea with real character.

But recently, one of our loyal customers asked a question that got me thinking;

Could you create a Breakfast Tea using leaves from the low country?

That fascinating idea became the starting point for our newest blend  Southern Sunrise.

Crafting the Cup

We knew from the beginning what we wanted: a tea that was well-rounded, full in the mouth, and carried a touch of maltiness. The type of tea that we enjoy when visiting a low country tea producer.

To achieve that depth, we turned to the smaller leaf grades, the Broken Orange Pekoes. These grades deliver a thicker liquor and deeper mouthfeel, while larger leaf styles like Orange Pekoe and Flowery Orange Pekoe, though elegant, lack the richness we sought for this blend.

The malty backbone of Southern Sunrise comes from Deniyaya, Ruhuna’s  premier tea district. For generations, this region has produced teas with an unmistakable malty character – bold, robust, and deeply satisfying. Many of the south's best estates are also found in the Deniyaya belt. 

To balance that richness, we looked further south to Galle, where tea bushes grow intercropped with coconuts, spices, and fruits, all under the influence of salty sea breezes. The result is a brightness and complexity that lifts the maltiness, creating harmony in the cup.

The Experience

The outcome is a balanced, rounded breakfast tea that feels both familiar and refreshing  reminiscent of the teas we enjoy when visiting Southern tea factories.

If you’ve long loved our Planters Breakfast, Southern Sunrise is a natural next step: something a little different, a little special, and a perfect way to begin your morning.

A big thank you to Adam for the idea and I hope you like the result.