Coffee in Sri Lanka: History, Revival, and Modern Production
When people think of Sri Lanka, tea most often comes to mind. However, long before the island became a "tea powerhouse," coffee was Ceylon's main agricultural crop.
Today, coffee in Sri Lanka is experiencing a renaissance—in the form of specialty coffee and sustainable farming.
In this article, we'll discuss:
- how the coffee industry emerged in Sri Lanka
- why it disappeared
- how and where Sri Lankan coffee is grown today
- should tourists try local coffee
The History of Coffee in Sri Lanka
The First Coffee Trees
The first mentions of coffee in Sri Lanka date back to the early 17th century. It is believed that Arabica seeds were brought from the Arabian Peninsula (Yemen) via India by Arab traders.
In the 18th century, the Dutch, who controlled the island's coastal regions, introduced coffee cultivation. They imported seedlings from botanical gardens in Europe and from Java, but for a long time, coffee remained a secondary crop—cinnamon was the priority.
Coffee Boom under the British
After the island came under British control in 1815, a true coffee boom began. The British actively developed plantations in the central highlands—the areas of Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, and Badulla.
By the mid-19th century:
there were approximately 600 coffee plantations.
Up to £5 million had been invested in the industry.
Ceylon became one of the world's largest coffee producers.
This period went down in history as the "coffee mania."
Why Coffee Disappeared from Sri Lanka
Coffee Leaf Rust and Plantation Death
In 1867, Hemileia vastatrix, a disease of coffee leaf rust, was recorded on the island. The fungus quickly spread throughout all regions.
By the 1880s:
almost all coffee plantations were destroyed
restoration proved economically impossible
planters switched en masse to tea cultivation
This is how tea replaced coffee and became the symbol of Sri Lanka.
The Coffee Revival in Sri Lanka
For nearly a century, coffee trees were used only as a shade crop. However, in the 1990s, a revival of Sri Lankan coffee began, this time under a new model—without monocultures and with an emphasis on quality.
Hansa Ceylon Coffee - The Beginning of a New Stage
One of the pioneers of this revival was the Hansa Ceylon Coffee company in the Nuwara Eliya district. Production is based on:
organic farming
manual bean sorting
small batches
avoiding aggressive agricultural practices
Here, Arabica and Arabica-Robusta blends are roasted, paying attention to the flavor and origin of the beans.
Tusker Coffee and Specialty Coffee
Specialty coffee is developing in the Ella region. Small organic farms grow rare Arabica varieties:
Typica
Bourbon
Catimor
Caturra
Natural, washed, and honeyed processing are used. The flavor profile often includes notes of fruit, berries, and light acidity—a rarity for the tropical region.
Where is coffee grown in Sri Lanka?
The main coffee-growing regions today are:
Nuwara Eliya
Ella
Badulla
Kandy and the surrounding hills
Growing altitudes range from 1,000 to 1,500 meters above sea level, which favorably affects the aroma and density of the beans.
Modern Coffee Production
According to the latest data:
Production: approximately 4,800–5,000 tons of green coffee per year
Plantation area: approximately 4,800 hectares
For comparison: tea: over 250,000 tons per year
Coffee remains a niche product, but interest in it is growing, both domestically and among tourists.
Coffee Culture and Coffee Shops in Sri Lanka
In recent years, specialty coffee shops working with local roasters have emerged in Colombo and tourist areas:
Tusker Coffee
Soul Coffee
Damn Fine Coffee Roasters
Whight & Co.
While the coffee culture is not yet as developed as in Europe or Australia, the demand for quality coffee is steadily growing.
Should tourists try coffee?
Definitely yes.
Sri Lankan coffee:
Distinguished by its smooth flavor
often features fruity and floral notes
Produced in small batches
Reflects a philosophy of sustainable farming
For tourists, this is an opportunity to taste coffee with a history that few know.
Conclusion: Does Sri Lankan Coffee Have a Future?
Coffee in Sri Lanka is:
a forgotten colonial history
a painful collapse and its replacement by tea
a modern revival through specialty and organic coffee
Today, Sri Lankan coffee is a "blank slate," and that's precisely why it has great potential. Perhaps in the coming years, Sri Lanka will become known to the world not only for its tea, but also for its unique tropical coffee.
