In short: Mullotar is a black tea estate in Darjeeling, India, operated by Darjeeling Organic Tea Estates at an elevation of 2,100 metres and known to supply Equal Exchange.
Mullotar is a tea estate located in the Darjeeling region of India at an elevation of 2,100 metres. It is operated by Darjeeling Organic Tea Estates and is recorded as supplying Equal Exchange. The estate produces black tea.
Terroir & Climate
At 2,100 metres, Mullotar occupies a high-elevation zone within Darjeeling's tiered growing landscape. Estates at this altitude typically experience cooler temperatures and pronounced diurnal variation, conditions that tend to slow the growth cycle and favour the development of concentrated aromatics in the leaf. The latitude of approximately 27° north places the estate within a monsoon-influenced climate, though altitude generally moderates both temperature extremes and the intensity of seasonal rainfall.
High-elevation Darjeeling gardens often contend with mist and cloud cover during the growing season, factors that tend to diffuse solar radiation and further temper the pace of flush development. These conditions generally encourage a style of leaf that is lighter in body and more expressive in fragrance than teas grown at lower altitudes within the same district. The steep topography typical of the region often necessitates terraced cultivation and can contribute to varied microclimates across a single estate.
Tea Produced
Mullotar produces black tea. Darjeeling estates at this elevation typically yield teas with a delicate, bright character, often exhibiting floral and muscatel notes that the region is known for. First flush production from high-altitude gardens tends to deliver lighter, more astringent liquors with pronounced aromatics, whilst second flush teas generally develop greater body and the muscatel sweetness associated with the district. The cooler growing conditions at 2,100 metres often result in teas with a refined, complex cup profile, though specific sensory attributes will vary by season, processing, and the particular cultivars under cultivation.
Supply Chain & Market Position
Mullotar is recorded as supplying Equal Exchange, a co-operative known for sourcing on fair-trade principles and for building long-term relationships with producer groups. This supply relationship suggests that the estate's output reaches consumers through ethical and direct-trade channels, often with an emphasis on transparency and producer equity. Equal Exchange's model typically involves smaller importers and roasters in North America and Europe, positioning Mullotar within a segment of the market that values traceability and social accountability alongside cup quality.
- Recorded supplier to Equal Exchange
Operator
Darjeeling Organic Tea Estates operates Mullotar and is recorded as the operator of six other estates within our directory. This portfolio suggests a significant presence in the Darjeeling district and the operational scale to manage multiple high-elevation properties. Multi-estate operators of this kind often benefit from shared agronomic expertise, centralised processing infrastructure, and consolidated market access, though the performance and certification status of individual gardens within a group can vary considerably.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Mullotar 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
- Mondakotee — 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 Mullotar
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Mullotar (2,100 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Mullotar 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 |
Mullotar Compared with Darjeeling
In Darjeeling, Mullotar 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 Mullotar against the 7 other estates we map in Darjeeling, so you can see whether it is typical for its region or an outlier.
| Measure | Mullotar | 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 Mullotar (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Mullotar’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 Mullotar located?
Mullotar is in Darjeeling, India, at coordinates 27.0410, 88.2663, at an elevation of about 2100 metres.
Who operates Mullotar?
Mullotar is operated by Darjeeling Organic Tea Estates, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Mullotar produce?
Mullotar is recorded as producing black tea.
Which buyers does Mullotar supply?
Public supplier disclosures record Mullotar as supplying Equal Exchange.
How much rain does Mullotar receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 2,294 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in August (644 mm).
How does Mullotar compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Mullotar 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].
