Overview of AMBA Estate

AMBA Estate is set in the Ambadandegama valley at the edge of Sri Lanka's Uva Highlands with its deep history of ancient trade routes and colonial tea production. Founded as a social enterprise in 2006 by Simon Bell and others, they have a focus on sustainable, people-centred artisan tea production.

From the beginning, AMBA aimed to create a model for small-scale tea production in Sri Lanka that could be replicated across the industry. By committing to organic farming and fair trade, AMBA has not only revived a historic estate but also created a vibrant future for its workers.

As one of Sri Lanka's few remaining artisanal tea producers, the estate uses hand-rolling and plucks only the finest leaves in small batches. This dedication to quality and sustainability results in exceptional teas that positively impact the workers, land, and broader Ceylon tea industry​.

AMBA Estate is a member of CATA - the Ceylon Artisanal Tea Association.

Sustainability At AMBA Estate

Placing sustainability at the core of their operation, AMBA Estate has organic farming practices and eco-friendly methods in place to reduce its footprint on the environment.

It has become a model of sustainable tea production, with permaculture techniques at the core of restoring soil health and conserving water.

They ensure fair trade principles are upheld to provide their workers, whom they call their artisans, with fair compensation and focuses on long-term positive community development. This method not only protects the landscape around it but also supports a healthy, socially responsible tea industry.

Tea Production at AMBA Estate

Producing artisanal, handmade teas, AMBA Estate uses traditional techniques. The focus is on quality, with leaves hand-plucked and carefully processed in small batches.

Their tea-making practices emphasise the preservation of flavour and unique characteristics; the result is teas that mirror the estate's distinctive terroir. It is one of the few estates left in Sri Lanka that still hand-rolls its leaves, adding the personal touch to each and every batch. It is such attention to detail that makes each cup of tea from the estate one of fine quality.

Beverley-Claire Wainwright, with her background in business development and a passion for tea, played a significant role in refining AMBA's tea-making processes. Her expertise has contributed to the creation of unique blends and innovations, elevating the estate’s award winning offerings.

AMBA Estate's Impact

At AMBA Estate, sustainability is all-encompassing, not just about the environment but also social equity, especially gender equality. As of April 2014 they share 10% of their revenue with their artisans, directly benefiting them and promoting financial stability.

The estate actively empowers women, especially those from poorer backgrounds, by offering fair wages, skill training, and even leadership opportunities. This dismantles barriers in Sri Lanka's male-dominated tea industry and raises women's socio-economic status for greater inclusivity.

The environmental practices of AMBA make sure that the surrounding lands are protected for nature to flourish and biodiversity to be enhanced.

AMBA Estate's Future & Where We Come In

AMBA Estate is committed to continuing the development of its environmentally friendly practices and community-oriented programs. The estate will go further in developing its organic farming methods; this will mean the future health of the land and the people working on it.

The tea nursery will be extended at AMBA, and this will provide a continued supply of healthy plants. It will also pursue more sustainable packaging options.

They are also building an addition to their guesthouse, which will allow visitors to stay on the estate and experience the sustainable practices firsthand. Their long-term commitment to eco-friendly farming and fair labour practices serves as an example for others in the industry to follow.

Customers can invest in Cha Dodo's carefully curated teas from AMBA Estate to directly support these efforts. Every cup of tea sold supports sustainable farming, gives workers a fair share of the revenues, and funds ongoing projects that provide benefits to both the environment and the local community.

At Cha Dodo, you don't just drink outstanding tea but directly contribute to the well-being of a socially responsible, environmentally sensitive tea estate.

Buy AMBA Estate's Tea