It was in 1924, in the verdant highlands of central Ceylon, that the KALLEBOKA plantation was established. Located on the border of the Matale and Kandy districts, it stretches across the rustling slopes of the Knuckles mountain range, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There, at an altitude of 1,175 meters, the morning mists caress the tea bushes, bestowing upon the place an aura of blessing. Born during the golden age of tea in Sri Lanka, KALLEBOKA has for a century embodied the pioneering spirit and rigor of the orthodox Ceylonese tradition.
KALLEBOKA means “wooded valley” or “dark opening in the forest,” a poetic image that perfectly describes this vast natural amphitheater: mist-shrouded hills and tea plantations overlooking the Matale Valley. During the colonial era, the British sought to establish new estates in cool, undisturbed lands, safe from coffee diseases. Unlike many estates given English names (Kenilworth, Somerset, Gallewatta…), KALLEBOKA has retained a local name, a testament to a Sinhalese identity intertwined with British heritage: a garden shaped by the English tea tradition, yet rooted in the language and landscape of Sri Lanka.
The Madulkelle terroir gives KALLEBOKA a rare temperate climate, typical of the so-called mid-grown zone: neither too high nor too low. This location offers the strength of lowland teas and the finesse of high-altitude teas, resulting in a unique profile: a coppery liquor, a generous body, hints of fine wood, blond tobacco, and roasted malt. A bold yet nuanced character for those seeking Ceylon teas with a strong and authentic personality.
Beyond its tea, Kalleboka captivates with its natural beauty. From the renowned "Kalleboka 360°" viewpoint, breathtaking panoramas unfold: the peaks of the Knuckles Mountains, the Huluganga Valley, and Lake Sembuwatta shimmering in the distance. At dawn, tea pickers glide between the perfectly aligned rows, their wicker baskets on their backs, their precise movements bringing the estate to life: the living memory of tea is embodied here with each harvest.
KALLEBOKA's excellence ultimately stems from a constant pursuit of improvement. The tea plants are the result of decades of selective breeding: increased disease resistance, drought tolerance, and robustness against pests ensure reliable yields and a wide diversity of clones, guaranteeing resilience and quality. Thus, KALLEBOKA perpetuates the art of tea, right in the heart of the Ceylon hills, in your fine porcelain cup.
