Pluck it, roll it, take it home
Learn the complex and nuanced art of artisanal tea making from the people who make it, one kilo at a time.
The Tenacious Ten
The backbone of our little estate is our Tenacious Ten: the tea pluckers and tea makers.
They have all been trained in the art of fine tea making and take turns to manage and take responsibility for each batch produced every day. We produce small quantities of very fine hand-rolled tea, one kilo at a time, which is sold in restaurants and specialist tea shops in Europe.
Each packet is made from start to finish by an individual woman on the estate who has previously had years of experience simply plucking tea. Here they learn the complex and nuanced art of artisanal tea making, from plucking through to drying.
Meet the team
Chandramalar
Chithra
Dhamayanthy
Madushane
Maheshwary
Mariamma
Parawathy
Pasungale
Puwaneshwary
SivaranganeeHow it works
Visit our tiny Harry Potter-inspired tea factory during your stay and have Karu, our estate manager, show you how we make handmade artisanal tea.
The process involves plucking the tips of the tea bushes (one leaf and one bud) and withering them for up to 24 hours. On the second day the tea is rolled by hand in wicker baskets, and after oxidation it's oven-dried. Voilà: a fine, light cuppa!
The two-day course
Staying a few days? If you enquire in advance we can try to give you a two-day course (subject to seasonality): a couple of hours one morning plucking with our ladies, then rolling your own batch the next morning. What could be more satisfying than leaving with very fine tea you made yourself?
The experience is free, though you do have to pay for any tea you buy, even if you roll it yourself!
TGFOP, or as it's known in the trade: "Too Good For Ordinary People"
We aim to slowly expand our range and currently produce only a few kilos a month. Book direct and you'll take a pack home as our thank-you.
Book direct and pay by bank transfer, and we'll give you a lovely pack of our hand-rolled estate tea as a thank you. If you'd rather book instantly by credit card, you can do so through Airbnb.
For retail enquiries, email bookings@haldummulla-estate.com.
The Tea Experience organised by the Estate Manager was another highlight, which included a tour of the estate, a picking demonstration & even the opportunity to have a go at rolling some tea leaves ourselves.
Priya cooks fabulous food and she was super helpful during our stay. We visited the Needwood factory and local waterfalls, and did some beautiful hikes from the house with two young kids.
Ready to slow down in the hills?
Tell us your dates and who is coming, and we will come straight back to you, usually within the hour on WhatsApp.
Book direct and pay by bank transfer, and we'll give you a lovely pack of our hand-rolled estate tea as a thank you. If you'd rather book instantly by credit card, you can do so through Airbnb.