TEA COLLECTIONS · GREEN TEA

Ceylon Green Tea

GP1 grade organic green tea from Sri Lanka's highlands.

Ceylon green tea is cultivated in Sri Lanka's highland growing regions at elevations above 1,200 metres, where cool temperatures and consistent rainfall produce a clean, light-bodied leaf with naturally lower caffeine content. Samley's green tea is graded GP1 — Gunpowder Pekoe 1 — the benchmark grade for premium Ceylon green tea. All supply is USDA Organic and EU Organic certified, available for wholesale and private label from 500kg.

GP1 grade Ceylon green tea from Sri Lanka's highland regions
THE RANGE

Our Ceylon Green Tea Range

ORIGIN & GRADE

GP1 Grade Ceylon Green Tea — What It Means and Why It Matters

Ceylon green tea is produced from the same Camellia sinensis plant as black tea, but undergoes minimal oxidation — preserving a lighter liquor, lower astringency, and a distinct vegetal character that sets it apart from fully oxidised Ceylon black teas. The GP1 grade (Gunpowder Pekoe 1) refers to the tightly rolled leaf shape produced during processing — a standard that signals consistent particle size, uniform infusion, and a clean cup.

Ceylon's green tea is grown in the high-grown and mid-grown elevations of Sri Lanka, where shorter daylight hours and lower temperatures slow the growth cycle and concentrate flavour compounds in the leaf. This produces a green tea with a naturally lighter, less grassy profile than Chinese Longjing or Japanese Sencha — making it well suited for buyers targeting Western markets where gentler green teas sell better.

GP1 is the grade most commonly specified for wholesale loose leaf supply and teabag filling. Its consistent particle size ensures even extraction in both pyramid bag and standard double-chamber formats, making it a reliable base ingredient for private label green tea lines.

WHOLESALE & PRIVATE LABEL

Wholesale and Private Label Ceylon Green Tea

Samley's Ceylon green tea is available for wholesale supply in bulk loose leaf format and in packed teabag formats — pyramid, double-chamber, and standard round bags. All formats are available under private label with custom branding, packaging design, and certification documentation included.

All green tea orders are produced under USDA Organic and EU Organic certification, FSSC 22000 food safety management, FDA registration, GMP, SEDEX, and Fairtrade accreditation. The minimum order for bulk loose leaf is 500kg. Private label packed formats begin at 50,000 units. Lead time for first orders is 6–8 weeks from specification confirmation.

For buyers building or expanding a certified organic green tea range in North American, European, or UK markets, Ceylon green tea provides a distinct origin story and a lighter flavour profile that differentiates from the saturated Chinese/Japanese green tea segment.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Ceylon green tea?

Ceylon green tea is green tea grown and processed in Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon). It is made from the same Camellia sinensis plant as black tea but undergoes minimal oxidation, producing a lighter liquor with lower caffeine content. Ceylon green tea is typically characterised by a cleaner, less grassy flavour than Chinese or Japanese green teas, making it well suited to Western palates.

What is Ceylon tea good for?

Ceylon tea — including green varieties — is valued for its antioxidant content, lighter body, and versatility across hot and iced preparations. For B2B buyers, Ceylon green tea offers a distinct origin story, USDA Organic certification availability, and a flavour profile that appeals to consumers seeking gentler green teas without the grassiness of East Asian varieties.

How long should you steep Ceylon green tea?

Ceylon green tea steeps best at 75–80°C for 2–3 minutes. Over-steeping or using boiling water produces bitterness. For teabag formats, the GP1 grade's consistent particle size ensures a clean extraction within this window, making it reliable for consumer brewing instructions on private label packaging.

Is green tea from Sri Lanka safe?

Yes. Sri Lankan green tea production is governed by the Sri Lanka Tea Board under Lion Logo certification, which confirms origin authenticity and compliance with national quality standards. Samley's green tea additionally carries USDA Organic, EU Organic, FDA registration, FSSC 22000, and GMP certifications — meeting the import requirements for all major Western markets.

How to brew green tea loose leaf?

Use 2–3 grams of loose leaf Ceylon green tea per 200ml of water heated to 75–80°C. Steep for 2–3 minutes and strain. Ceylon GP1 grade can be re-steeped once for a lighter second infusion. For wholesale buyers, this brewing guidance is typically included on packaging to support end-consumer usage.

Is loose leaf green tea better than bagged?

Loose leaf green tea offers a fuller flavour profile because the whole leaf has more surface area for extraction. However, for convenience-driven markets, pyramid teabags using GP1 grade Ceylon green tea deliver close-to-loose-leaf quality in a format suited to retail, foodservice, and hospitality channels. Samley supplies both formats for private label.

What is the minimum order for wholesale Ceylon green tea?

The minimum order for bulk loose leaf Ceylon green tea is 500kg. Private label orders, including custom packaging and branding, start at 50,000 units. Lead time for a first order is 6–8 weeks from final specification confirmation.

Is Samley's Ceylon green tea USDA Organic certified?

Yes. Samley's Ceylon green tea is certified under both USDA Organic and EU Organic standards. All organic certifications are current and documentation is provided with every shipment for importer compliance requirements.

Sourcing Certified Organic Ceylon Green Tea for Your Brand?

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