In short: Mondakotee is a high-altitude black-tea estate in Darjeeling, India, operated by Darjeeling Organic Tea Estates and known to supply Equal Exchange.
Mondakotee is a tea estate located in the Darjeeling region of India, situated at an altitude of 2,100 metres. The estate is operated by Darjeeling Organic Tea Estates and is recorded as a supplier to Equal Exchange, the worker-owned co-operative and fair-trade importer.
Terroir & Climate
At 2,100 metres, Mondakotee occupies a high-elevation site within Darjeeling's northern Himalayan belt. Estates at this altitude typically experience pronounced diurnal temperature variation, cooler mean temperatures, and higher UV exposure, all of which tend to slow vegetative growth and encourage the accumulation of secondary metabolites in the leaf. The growing season in such locations is generally compressed, with dormancy through the winter months and a flush cycle that often begins in March or April.
Darjeeling's combination of elevation, monsoon influence, and well-drained mountain soils tends to favour the production of teas with aromatic complexity. The latitude—around 27°N—places the region in a subtropical monsoon zone, though the altitude moderates temperatures considerably. Morning mists and afternoon sun are characteristic of many high Darjeeling gardens, conditions that typically support the development of nuanced leaf character.
Tea Produced
Mondakotee produces black tea. High-altitude Darjeeling estates generally yield teas with notable brightness and aromatic lift, particularly in the first and second flush periods. First flush teas from this elevation band are often light-bodied with floral and green notes, while second flush production tends to exhibit muscatel character, deeper colour, and fuller body. The estate's altitude would typically support the development of bright, structured liquor with moderate astringency and aromatic persistence, though specific cup profiles depend on plucking standards, processing regimen, and seasonal conditions.
Supply Chain & Market Position
Mondakotee is recorded as a supplier to Equal Exchange, the United States–based worker co-operative and fair-trade importer. Equal Exchange has long-standing relationships with Darjeeling producers and sources teas that meet its fair-trade and social-equity criteria. The estate's presence in Equal Exchange's supply chain suggests integration into certified fair-trade networks and alignment with the co-operative's sourcing standards, which emphasise direct trade relationships and smallholder or estate partners committed to social and environmental accountability. This market positioning places Mondakotee within a segment of the Darjeeling industry oriented towards transparency and ethical sourcing narratives.
- Recorded supplier to Equal Exchange
Operator
Darjeeling Organic Tea Estates operates Mondakotee alongside six other estates recorded in industry directories. The company's portfolio spans multiple gardens within the Darjeeling region, suggesting a significant footprint in the district's tea economy. Multi-estate operators of this scale typically benefit from shared infrastructure, centralised processing expertise, and consolidated marketing, though individual gardens often retain distinct terroir characteristics and production profiles.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Mondakotee lies at 27.0410, 88.2663 in Darjeeling, India. Its 2100 m elevation is the joint 1st highest of 8 estates we map in Darjeeling. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Barnesbeg Tea Estate — under 1 km away
- Mullotar — under 1 km away
- Potong Tea Garden — under 1 km away
- Happy valley — under 1 km away · West Bengal
- Glenburn Tea Estate — 1.4 km away
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Mondakotee
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Mondakotee (2,100 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Mondakotee recorded 2,294 mm in 2025, 43% more than the 1,606 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mataara Tea Factory | Gachege, Kenya | 2,106 m | 1,455 mm | 19.8 °C |
| Ndaraweta Tea Factory Ltd | Bomet, Kenya | 2,107 m | 1,519 mm | 22.0 °C |
| TEZA | Muramvya, Burundi | 2,118 m | 1,533 mm | 20.1 °C |
| Welbeck Tea Estate | Tamil Nadu, India | 2,077 m | 1,583 mm | 18.8 °C |
| DUNSANDLE ESTATE | TAMIL NADU, India | 2,054 m | 1,941 mm | 20.5 °C |
Mondakotee Compared with Darjeeling
In Darjeeling, Mondakotee is the driest of the 8 estates by 2025 rainfall; higher than 57% of the others by elevation; the coolest of the 8 estates by daytime temperature. The table sets Mondakotee against the 7 other estates we map in Darjeeling, so you can see whether it is typical for its region or an outlier.
| Measure | Mondakotee | Region median | Region range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 2,100 m | 1,936 m | 923 to 2,100 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 2,294 mm | 2,294 mm | 2,294 to 4,758 mm |
| Mean daily high | 16.9 °C | 18.0 °C | 16.9 to 23.4 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 9.3 °C | 10.4 °C | 9.3 to 16.1 °C |
Observed Climate at Mondakotee (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Mondakotee’s coordinates recorded 2,294 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was August (644 mm) and the driest was December (10 mm). Daytime highs averaged 16.9 °C and overnight lows 9.3 °C over the year; July was the warmest month and February the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 2,294 mm |
| Wettest month | August (644 mm) |
| Driest month | December (10 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 16.9 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 9.3 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Mondakotee located?
Mondakotee is in Darjeeling, India, at coordinates 27.0410, 88.2663, at an elevation of about 2100 metres.
Who operates Mondakotee?
Mondakotee is operated by Darjeeling Organic Tea Estates, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Mondakotee produce?
Mondakotee is recorded as producing black tea.
Which buyers does Mondakotee supply?
Public supplier disclosures record Mondakotee as supplying Equal Exchange.
How much rain does Mondakotee receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 2,294 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in August (644 mm).
How does Mondakotee compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Mondakotee recorded 2,294 mm in 2025, 43% more rain than the 1,606 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].
