In short: Itakhooli Tea Estate is a black tea producer in Assam, India, operated by Mcleod Russel India Ltd., one of the industry's largest plantation companies.
Itakhooli Tea Estate is a black tea producer located in Assam, India, at an elevation of 118 metres above sea level. The estate is operated by Mcleod Russel India Ltd., historically one of the world's largest private-sector tea plantation companies. No public records of downstream buyers have been identified for this estate.
Terroir & Climate
At 118 metres elevation, Itakhooli sits within the low-altitude plains characteristic of Assam's river valleys, where tea cultivation benefits from the region's warm, humid subtropical climate. Estates at this elevation in Assam typically experience a long growing season with minimal winter dormancy, allowing for multiple flush cycles from March through November. The combination of alluvial soils, high rainfall, and consistently warm temperatures tends to encourage vigorous vegetative growth and high yields.
The latitude of approximately 27.5°N places Itakhooli within the heart of the Brahmaputra valley, where afternoon temperatures and moisture levels generally favour the production of full-bodied, malty teas. Low-elevation Assam gardens often contend with monsoon flooding and high humidity, conditions that typically necessitate careful plucking and processing schedules to maintain leaf quality during the peak rains of June through September.
Tea Produced
Itakhooli produces black tea, the dominant style across Assam's commercial estates. Teas from low-elevation Assam gardens at this latitude typically yield a robust, malty cup with pronounced body and a reddish-brown liquor. The region's terroir generally favours teas with bold, assertive character rather than delicate aromatics, and second-flush productions—harvested in late spring and early summer—tend to exhibit the most sought-after malty sweetness and full mouthfeel associated with classic Assam Orthodox and CTC styles.
Operator
Mcleod Russel India Ltd. operates Itakhooli Tea Estate. Once the world's largest producer of tea by volume, Mcleod Russel controlled extensive acreage across Assam, West Bengal, and Uganda before entering financial restructuring in recent years. The company operates six other estates represented in this directory, reflecting the scale of its historical footprint in Indian tea. Ownership and operational structures within the Mcleod Russel portfolio have been subject to change as the company has navigated debt obligations and asset sales.
Certifications & Ethics
Itakhooli Tea Estate holds certification from the Ethical Tea Partnership (ETP), a membership organisation that works to improve social and environmental conditions on tea farms through self-assessment, independent verification, and capacity-building programmes. ETP certification indicates that the estate has committed to meeting standards on labour rights, health and safety, and environmental stewardship, and submits to periodic audits against the partnership's code of conduct. For buyers, ETP membership offers a degree of assurance regarding working conditions and responsible sourcing; for workers, it is intended to support improved welfare, training, and grievance mechanisms.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Itakhooli Tea Estate lies at 27.4683, 95.3338 in Assam, India. Its 118 m elevation is the joint 23rd highest of 66 estates we map in Assam. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Rungagora J — 2.5 km away
- TALUP — 3.1 km away
- Keyhung Tea Estate — 3.9 km away
- Tonganagaon Tea Estate — 4.4 km away
- Sewpur — 4.8 km away
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Itakhooli Tea Estate
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Itakhooli Tea Estate (118 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Itakhooli Tea Estate recorded 3,374 mm in 2025, 31% more than the 2,584 mm average across these estates: at the same height, local weather and exposure matter as much as elevation.
| Estate | Where | Elevation | Rain 2025 | Mean high |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hoolungooree Tea Estate | Assam, India | 118 m | 2,483 mm | 28.5 °C |
| JABOKA | Assam, India | 118 m | 2,830 mm | 28.8 °C |
| KDU, Deerwood | Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka | 119 m | 4,668 mm | 29.5 °C |
| Yalta | Southern Province, Sri Lanka | 117 m | 2,624 mm | 30.0 °C |
| I \u0026 M Smith | Western Cape, South Africa | 124 m | 313 mm | 27.4 °C |
Itakhooli Tea Estate Compared with Assam
In Assam, Itakhooli Tea Estate is wetter than 89% of the others by 2025 rainfall; higher than 63% of the others by elevation; cooler than 97% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Itakhooli Tea Estate against the 65 other estates we map in Assam, so you can see whether it is typical for its region or an outlier.
| Measure | Itakhooli Tea Estate | Region median | Region range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 118 m | 109 m | 26 to 266 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 3,374 mm | 2,919 mm | 1,742 to 4,142 mm |
| Mean daily high | 28.1 °C | 28.7 °C | 27.9 to 30.0 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 19.1 °C | 19.6 °C | 18.8 to 21.1 °C |
Observed Climate at Itakhooli Tea Estate (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Itakhooli Tea Estate’s coordinates recorded 3,374 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was August (576 mm) and the driest was December (9 mm). Daytime highs averaged 28.1 °C and overnight lows 19.1 °C over the year; July was the warmest month and January the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 3,374 mm |
| Wettest month | August (576 mm) |
| Driest month | December (9 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 28.1 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 19.1 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Itakhooli Tea Estate located?
Itakhooli Tea Estate is in Assam, India, at coordinates 27.4683, 95.3338, at an elevation of about 118 metres.
Who operates Itakhooli Tea Estate?
Itakhooli Tea Estate is operated by Mcleod Russel India Ltd., according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Itakhooli Tea Estate produce?
Itakhooli Tea Estate is recorded as producing black tea.
What certifications does Itakhooli Tea Estate hold?
Itakhooli Tea Estate is recorded as holding the following certification(s): Ethical Tea Partnership.
How much rain does Itakhooli Tea Estate receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 3,374 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in August (576 mm).
How does Itakhooli Tea Estate compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Itakhooli Tea Estate recorded 3,374 mm in 2025, 31% more rain than the 2,584 mm average of estates at a similar elevation.
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].
