February 21, 2023

AMBA, where tea is crafted with passion

This story takes us through the renowned Ella gap where resides ‘AMBA estate’, that bears witness to a rich history that unites all the diverse strands that create the phenomenal tapestry of Sri Lanka.

Having a historical significance noted in the Ramayanaya, in the 1900s Sir Thamba Arunasalam Pillai initiated the planting of tea in Ambadandegama valley which led to him opening the tea factory in 1912 using hydropower from the river. In 1983 the factory closed, abandoning most of the tea cultivation due to communal riots, nationalization, and family disputes. Following the involvement of the new founders in 2006, AMBA was gradually replanted and transformed into an organic, community-driven estate doubled as a farm stay, which is much loved by visitors.

90% of the 30 acres of tea at AMBA have been planted during colonial times while the rest of the teas have been planted by the previous owners.

The primary objective of AMBA is to preserve its surrounding biodiversity and ecosystem while creating economic benefits for the local community.

Recognized for the practice of identifying their workers as craftswomen to show recognition, AMBA focuses on community involvement and empowerment by employing local craftswomen from the local community to produce tea as well as providing them with additional income sources through chutney, jam, and coffee productions. As community development initiatives, AMBA also conducts English classes for the children of the community and provides estate grown vegetables to the community at reasonable prices

Amba's other rudimentary goal is to protect and restore the environment in and around the estate through carefully planning and designing their course of action to minimize environmental impact, all while restoring natural habitats and ecosystems. Therefore, AMBA is known for its organic practices such as organic pest control methods and improving soil fertility by producing organic fertilizer using green material from the estate and manure from their own herd of ‘rescue cows’. Additionally, they grow crops including coffee, vanilla, spices, fruits, and vegetables to maintain a range of diverse crops

Due to the geographic significance of the location, teas from AMBA, exhibit the distinctive wintergreen, menthol flavour profiles of tea from the Uva region. We invite you to experience the creation when history and craftsmanship unites.