CY9

CY9 is the most widely-planted Sri Lankan clonal tea cultivar, developed by the Tea Research Institute of Sri Lanka and adopted broadly across highland tea estates since the late 20th century. The cultivar produces reliably bright, brisk, citrus-forward Ceylon character with consistent yields, replacing substantial portions of older seed-grown plantings on estates that have replanted in recent decades.

Within Sri Lankan tea, CY9 represents the workhorse contemporary cultivar — present across Uva, Dimbula, Nuwara Eliya, and other tea-producing regions. The cultivar performs consistently across highland elevations, producing recognizably Ceylon character with the cultivar's own bright, citrus-leaning signature. Premium Ceylon productions sometimes specify heritage seed-grown material rather than clonal cultivars, but for most commercial Sri Lankan tea, CY9 is the cultivar foundation.

Teas produced

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Growing regions

• Sri Lanka highlands