In short: TEZA is a tea estate in Muramvya, Burundi, operated by Office Du Thé Du Burundi at 2,118 metres elevation, known to supply Finlays.
TEZA is a tea estate located in the Muramvya region of Burundi, positioned at an elevation of 2,118 metres. The estate is operated by Office Du Thé Du Burundi, the country's state tea authority, and is recorded as supplying Finlays, a major international tea processor and distributor. TEZA produces both black and green tea.
Terroir & Climate
At 2,118 metres, TEZA occupies one of the higher altitude bands available to commercial tea cultivation in East Africa. Estates at this elevation in Burundi's central highlands typically experience cooler temperatures and greater diurnal variation than lower-lying gardens, conditions that tend to slow vegetative growth and extend the period between flushes. The estate sits just south of the equator, where year-round warmth is moderated by altitude, and where the interplay of wet and dry seasons generally shapes two main cropping windows.
High-altitude sites in this region often benefit from well-distributed rainfall and mist cover, factors that can encourage steady, if slower, leaf development. Soils in the central plateau of Burundi are commonly volcanic in origin, typically offering good drainage and mineral content. These conditions tend to favour the production of leaf with concentrated biochemical profiles, though yields per hectare are often lower than those recorded at estates situated several hundred metres lower.
Tea Produced
TEZA produces both black and green tea. Black teas from estates at this altitude in Burundi's central highlands typically exhibit brisk, clean cup profiles with moderate astringency and a brightness that buyers associate with high-grown East African leaf. Green teas from the region, though less commonly seen in export markets, tend to show a lighter body and vegetal character, often with a subtle sweetness. The slower maturation cycle at elevations above 2,000 metres generally correlates with finer, more tightly rolled leaf and a cup that balances intensity with clarity, though specific flavour outcomes depend on processing protocols and seasonal variation.
Supply Chain & Market Position
TEZA is recorded as supplying Finlays, one of the world's largest tea packers and a vertically integrated operator with estates, factories, and blending facilities across multiple origins. This relationship positions TEZA within a global supply chain serving retail brands and foodservice clients in Europe, North America, and beyond. Finlays' sourcing from state-operated estates in Burundi reflects the company's strategy of securing volume from government-controlled producers in East Africa, where consistency and traceability are prioritised alongside price competitiveness.
- Recorded supplier to Finlays
Operator
Office Du Thé Du Burundi is the state body responsible for the majority of Burundi's tea sector, overseeing production, processing, and export. The organisation operates four other estates in our directory in addition to TEZA, consolidating much of the country's tea output under centralised management. This structure is characteristic of Burundi's tea industry, which remains largely state-controlled despite periodic reforms aimed at attracting private investment.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
TEZA lies at -3.2160, 29.5629 in Muramvya, Burundi. Its 2118 m elevation is the 3rd highest of 4 estates we map in Burundi. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- TORA — 29 km away · Unconfirmed
- IJENDA — 29 km away · Bujumbura Rural
- RWEGURA — 33 km away · Kayanza
- NSHILI KIVU — 55 km away · Kigali
- MABAYI — 66 km away · Cibitoke
Observed Climate at TEZA (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for TEZA’s coordinates recorded 1,533 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was March (249 mm) and the driest was July (36 mm). Daytime highs averaged 20.1 °C and overnight lows 12.3 °C over the year; September was the warmest month and May the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 1,533 mm |
| Wettest month | March (249 mm) |
| Driest month | July (36 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 20.1 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 12.3 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is TEZA located?
TEZA is in Muramvya, Burundi, at coordinates -3.2160, 29.5629, at an elevation of about 2118 metres.
Who operates TEZA?
TEZA is operated by Office Du The Du Burundi, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does TEZA produce?
TEZA is recorded as producing black and green tea.
Which buyers does TEZA supply?
Public supplier disclosures record TEZA as supplying Finlays.
How much rain does TEZA receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 1,533 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in March (249 mm).
Data sources: public supply-chain disclosures (Ethical Tea Partnership member lists, Rainforest Alliance certificate holders and retailer supplier disclosures); climate figures are ERA5 reanalysis modelled for the estate’s coordinates via Open-Meteo (calendar year 2025); coordinates and elevations from geocoded records. Spotted an error? Email [email protected].