In short: Chundavurrai is a tea estate in the Kannan Devan Hills of Kerala, India, operated by Kanan Devan Hills Plantation Pvt. Ltd. and known to supply Morrisons.
Chundavurrai is a tea estate located in the Kannan Devan Hills of Kerala, India, at an elevation of 2,299 metres above sea level. The estate is operated by Kanan Devan Hills Plantation Pvt. Ltd., one of the region's significant plantation companies. Chundavurrai is recorded as a supplier to Morrisons, the British supermarket chain.
Terroir & Climate
At 2,299 metres, Chundavurrai occupies high-elevation terrain in the Western Ghats, where estates typically experience cooler temperatures and pronounced diurnal variation. This altitude generally slows leaf maturation, allowing time for biochemical complexity to develop in the flush. Estates at this elevation in the Kannan Devan Hills often benefit from mist and cloud cover, which tends to moderate direct sunlight and maintain ambient humidity.
The region's monsoon-influenced climate typically supports a growing season that extends across much of the year, though growth rates generally fluctuate with temperature and rainfall patterns. High-altitude sites in this part of Kerala are usually characterised by well-drained, acidic soils and cooler nights, factors that often encourage slower, more even shoot development and can contribute to the retention of desirable polyphenols in the leaf.
Tea Produced
Chundavurrai produces black tea. Estates at this elevation in the Kannan Devan Hills typically yield teas with brisk, full-bodied character and a clean, bright liquor. The cooler growing conditions associated with high-altitude sites often encourage a balance between astringency and rounded mouthfeel, with cup profiles that tend toward malty or slightly floral notes. The style is generally well-suited to blending, though specific flavour attributes will vary with season, processing, and the particular field of origin within the estate.
Supply Chain & Market Position
Chundavurrai is recorded as a supplier to Morrisons, indicating its integration into the British retail grocery sector. Supply to a major supermarket chain of this scale suggests the estate produces volume at a consistent quality threshold and operates within the compliance and traceability frameworks that large retailers require. The presence of a major UK buyer also points to the estate's ability to meet commercial price points while maintaining certification standards expected in European markets.
- Recorded supplier to Morrisons
Operator
Chundavurrai is operated by Kanan Devan Hills Plantation Pvt. Ltd., a company with a substantial footprint in the Kannan Devan Hills region. The operator manages six other estates recorded in this directory, indicating a multi-site portfolio and the scale to coordinate production, processing, and compliance across a network of high-elevation plantations in Kerala.
Certifications & Ethics
Chundavurrai holds certification from the Ethical Tea Partnership, a multi-stakeholder initiative that monitors labour conditions, environmental practices, and community welfare on member estates. For buyers, this certification provides independent assurance that the estate is subject to regular audit against standards covering working hours, wages, health and safety, and environmental stewardship. For workers, membership signals a commitment to ongoing improvement in workplace conditions and access to grievance mechanisms.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
CHUNDAVURRAI lies at 10.1759, 77.2290 in Kannan Devan Hills, India. Its 2299 m elevation is the highest of 250 estates we map in India. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Yellapatty Tea Estate — 6.1 km away · Dist. Kerala
- Arivikad — 11 km away · Kerala
- Vagavurrai — 13 km away · Kerala
- Vagavurrai Super Tea Estate — 13 km away · Gundumalai
- Madupatty Tea Estate — 14 km away · Mattupetty
Estates at a Similar Altitude to CHUNDAVURRAI
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match CHUNDAVURRAI (2,299 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. CHUNDAVURRAI recorded 2,094 mm in 2025, 22% more than the 1,715 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Werraka | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | 2,302 m | 1,148 mm | 22.6 °C |
| Karirana Tea Estates Ltd | Kiambu, Kenya | 2,272 m | 930 mm | 20.2 °C |
| Glenfern Estate | Tamil Nadu, India | 2,247 m | 1,531 mm | 19.3 °C |
| KORAKUNDAH TEA ESTATE FACTORY | TAMIL NADU, India | 2,247 m | 3,631 mm | 18.2 °C |
| Kisyet Tea Limited | Bomet, Kenya | 2,244 m | 1,336 mm | 21.4 °C |
CHUNDAVURRAI Compared with India
In India, CHUNDAVURRAI is drier than 83% of the others by 2025 rainfall; the highest of the 250 estates by elevation; cooler than 98% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets CHUNDAVURRAI against the 249 other estates we map in India, so you can see whether it is typical for its country or an outlier.
| Measure | CHUNDAVURRAI | Country median | Country range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 2,299 m | 126 m | 6 to 2,247 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 2,094 mm | 2,778 mm | 745 to 4,774 mm |
| Mean daily high | 17.9 °C | 28.3 °C | 16.9 to 34.5 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 9.6 °C | 19.3 °C | 9.3 to 24.2 °C |
Observed Climate at CHUNDAVURRAI (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for CHUNDAVURRAI’s coordinates recorded 2,094 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was May (431 mm) and the driest was February (17 mm). Daytime highs averaged 17.9 °C and overnight lows 9.6 °C over the year; April was the warmest month and December the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 2,094 mm |
| Wettest month | May (431 mm) |
| Driest month | February (17 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 17.9 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 9.6 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is CHUNDAVURRAI located?
CHUNDAVURRAI is in Kannan Devan Hills, India, at coordinates 10.1759, 77.2290, at an elevation of about 2299 metres.
Who operates CHUNDAVURRAI?
CHUNDAVURRAI is operated by Kanan Devan Hills Plantation Pvt. Ltd., according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does CHUNDAVURRAI produce?
CHUNDAVURRAI is recorded as producing black tea.
Which buyers does CHUNDAVURRAI supply?
Public supplier disclosures record CHUNDAVURRAI as supplying Morrisons.
What certifications does CHUNDAVURRAI hold?
CHUNDAVURRAI is recorded as holding the following certification(s): Ethical Tea Partnership.
How much rain does CHUNDAVURRAI receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 2,094 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in May (431 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].
