Ceylon Black Tea Loose Leaf
Ceylon black tea from Sri Lanka is the backbone of classic Southern sweet tea, and it's one of the most versatile and widely loved black teas in the world. The island's diverse growing regions — from the high-altitude estates of Nuwara Eliya to the lower-grown teas of Ruhuna — produce a range of Ceylon teas, but they share a common character: bright, brisk, and full-bodied, with a clean finish and a slight citrusy note that makes them particularly refreshing over ice. Ceylon cold brews beautifully: the slow extraction produces a smooth, clear amber liquid with a satisfying depth of flavour and none of the bitterness that hot-brewed Ceylon can sometimes have. It's the ideal base for a classic pitcher of iced tea — strong enough to stand up to ice and sweetener without losing its character, but not so bold that it overwhelms more delicate additions like lemon, peach, or mint. For Southern sweet tea, Ceylon is the traditional choice: brew it strong, sweeten it generously while it's still hot so the sugar dissolves completely, then pour over ice. The result is the quintessential summer drink. Loose leaf Ceylon is significantly more aromatic and flavourful than bagged versions, and a little goes a long way.
View on AmazonAmazon Associates Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Steep & Chill earns from qualifying purchases. This is at no extra cost to you. Prices and availability are subject to change without notice.
More in Tea & Ingredients
Cold Brew Iced Tea Bags
From ~$8
Assorted Black Tea Sampler
From ~$18
Herbal & Floral Tea Sampler
From ~$16
Peach Iced Tea Mix
From ~$10
Dried Hibiscus Flowers for Tea
From ~$12
Ceremonial Grade Matcha Powder
From ~$20
Flavoured Simple Syrup Set
From ~$25
Fresh Mint Herb Growing Kit
From ~$18
Thai Iced Tea Mix
From ~$14
Loose Leaf Green Tea (Sencha)
From ~$15
Honey Dispenser Jar
From ~$14
Loose Leaf Oolong Tea
From ~$16
Raspberry Herbal Tea Bags
From ~$9
Organic Agave Nectar Syrup
From ~$10
Dried Lavender Flowers for Tea
From ~$11
Earl Grey Loose Leaf Tea
From ~$14
Rooibos Red Bush Tea
From ~$13
White Tea Silver Needle
From ~$18
Peppermint Herbal Tea Bags
From ~$8
Fresh Lemonade Concentrate
From ~$8
Dried Chamomile Flowers
From ~$10
Black Tapioca Boba Pearls
From ~$10
Jasmine Green Tea Loose Leaf
From ~$14
Sugar-Free Sweetener (Stevia/Erythritol)
From ~$12
Premium Tea Gift Set
From ~$35
Ginger Root Herbal Tea Bags
From ~$9
Darjeeling First Flush Black Tea
From ~$18
Dried Rosehip & Rose Petal Tea
From ~$11
Butterfly Pea Flower Tea
From ~$12
Yerba Mate Loose Leaf
From ~$16
Dried Citrus Slices for Garnish
From ~$10
Sencha Japanese Green Tea Loose Leaf
From ~$16
Assam Black Tea Loose Leaf
From ~$14
Dried Elderflower Loose Herbal Tea
From ~$12
Lemon Verbena Loose Herbal Tea
From ~$11
Culinary Dried Rose Petals
From ~$10
Hibiscus Flower Simple Syrup
From ~$14
Passion Fruit Syrup for Drinks
From ~$13
Loose Leaf Tea Sampler Variety Box
From ~$28
White Peony (Bai Mu Dan) Loose Leaf Tea
From ~$18
Pyramid Silken Tea Bag Sampler
From ~$24
Dried Mango Strips for Tea Infusions
From ~$10
Spearmint Loose Leaf Herbal Tea
From ~$10
Dried Blueberries for Tea & Infusions
From ~$12
Lapsang Souchong Smoky Black Tea
From ~$15
Pu-Erh Aged Dark Tea Cake
From ~$22
Yunnan Gold Loose Leaf Black Tea
From ~$20
Rooibos Chai Spiced Herbal Blend
From ~$14
Dried Orange Peel for Tea & Syrups
From ~$9
Japanese Sencha Green Tea for Cold Brew
From ~$16
Osmanthus Oolong Loose Leaf Tea
From ~$19
Dried Pineapple Rings for Tea Infusions
From ~$11
Darjeeling Second Flush Loose Leaf Tea
From ~$24
Dried Mango with Chili for Tea Infusions
From ~$10
Turkish Apple Fruit Tea Blend
From ~$12
Tea Advent Calendar Gift Box
From ~$28
White Peach Oolong Loose Leaf Tea
From ~$17
Moringa Loose Leaf Herbal Tea
From ~$14
Lemongrass & Ginger Loose Leaf Herbal Tea
From ~$13
Freeze-Dried Raspberries for Tea Infusions
From ~$14
Dried Elderberries for Tea & Infusions
From ~$15
Butterfly Pea Flower Tea — Colour-Changing
From ~$14
Dried Mango & Green Tea Blend
From ~$15
Turmeric & Ginger Wellness Loose Leaf Tea
From ~$14
Culinary Dried Lavender Buds
From ~$12
Sencha & Matcha Green Tea Blend
From ~$18
Whole Dried Hibiscus Flowers
From ~$13
Gyokuro Shade-Grown Green Tea
From ~$22
Coconut Palm Sugar
From ~$12
Raw Wildflower Honey
From ~$15
Green Cardamom Pods
From ~$10
Ceylon Cinnamon Sticks
From ~$9
Whole Dried Star Anise
From ~$8
Whole Vanilla Bean Pods
From ~$18
Dried Cranberries for Tea Infusions
From ~$11
Dried Apricots for Tea Infusions
From ~$10