Quick Answer
Ceylon tea is black tea produced in Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon). According to English Wikipedia, commercial production of Ceylon tea began in 1867, and in 2019 Sri Lanka was the world’s fourth-largest tea producer and third-largest tea exporter. Qualifying pure Ceylon tea packs may carry the Sri Lanka Tea Board’s Lion Logo. In bubble tea, Ceylon is the traditional base of Thai milk tea and is also popular for lemon black tea and milk tea.
Ceylon Tea at a Glance
| Item | Details (from English Wikipedia “Ceylon tea”) |
|---|---|
| Origin | Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon) |
| Commercial production | Since 1867 |
| Industry position | World’s fourth-largest tea producer and third-largest tea exporter in 2019 |
| Lion Logo | For consumer packs of 100% pure Ceylon tea, packed in Sri Lanka and meeting Sri Lanka Tea Board quality standards |
| Market structure | Pure Ceylon tea is about 10% of world tea consumption; more than half of exports are still shipped in bulk |
Ceylon vs Assam Black Tea
| Comparison | Ceylon black tea | Assam black tea |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Sri Lanka | Assam, India |
| Typical description | Varies with region and elevation | Strong and malty (Wikipedia) |
| Common bubble tea use | Thai milk tea, lemon black tea, milk tea | Bubble milk tea, fresh milk tea |
For Assam, see What Is Assam Black Tea?
How to Use Ceylon Tea in Bubble Tea
- Thai milk tea: the English Wikipedia article “Thai tea” records that Thai milk tea is made from strongly brewed Ceylon tea (or Assam grown in northern Thailand); see Why Is Thai Milk Tea Orange?
- Lemon black tea: Ceylon tea + lemon juice syrup; see our fruit syrup dosage chart.
- Milk tea: with non-dairy creamer or fresh milk.
Follow the product package for brewing temperature, time and leaf amount.
Tang Sugar Ceylon Tea Products
Tang Sugar supplies Ceylon black tea leaves (600 g bags), Ceylon filter-free bags and Ceylon brewing bags, plus Thai tea leaves. See our tea products or request samples.
Products in this article
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FAQ
What is Ceylon tea?
Ceylon tea is black tea produced in Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon), with commercial production starting in 1867.
What does the Ceylon tea Lion Logo mean?
It shows that the product is a consumer pack of 100% pure Ceylon tea, packed in Sri Lanka and meeting the Sri Lanka Tea Board’s quality standards.
What tea is used for Thai milk tea?
According to English Wikipedia, Thai milk tea is made with strongly brewed Ceylon tea or Assam tea grown in northern Thailand.
What drinks is Ceylon tea good for?
Common choices are Thai milk tea, lemon black tea and milk tea.
Why is Sri Lankan tea called Ceylon tea?
Ceylon is the former name of Sri Lanka, and the tea kept the name as a trade name.
How do I choose Ceylon tea for a bubble tea shop?
Shops usually buy commercial packs from tea suppliers. Choose by equipment: whole leaves for traditional brewing, filter-free bags to skip straining, and brewing bags for tea espresso machines. Tang Sugar supplies Ceylon leaves (600 g bags), filter-free bags and brewing bags; see our tea products or request samples.
How do you brew Ceylon tea?
Temperature, time and leaf amount depend on each product’s package instructions. Brew a test batch, adjust for sweetness, ice and milk, then write the settings into your SOP. For tea bag formats, see Filter-Free Tea Bags vs Brewing Bags.
Does Ceylon tea contain caffeine?
Yes. Ceylon tea is a black tea made from tea plant leaves and contains caffeine; the amount depends on the leaves, dose and steeping time. See How Much Caffeine Is in Bubble Tea?
What is the difference between Ceylon and Assam tea?
They come from different places: Ceylon tea from Sri Lanka, Assam tea from Assam, India. In bubble tea, Ceylon is the traditional base for Thai milk tea and lemon black tea, while Assam is often used for milk tea; see What Is Assam Black Tea?
Further Reading
- What Is Assam Black Tea?
- Why Is Thai Milk Tea Orange?
- Which Tea Leaves Are Best for Milk Tea?
- What Is Earl Grey Tea?
Sources
- Wikipedia: Ceylon tea
- Wikipedia: Thai tea
- Tang Sugar product list (March 2026 edition)
