In short: Chokanad I is a black tea estate in Kerala, India, operated by Kanan Devan Hills Plantations Company (KDHP) at 1,691 metres elevation and known to supply Morrisons.
Chokanad I is a tea estate in Kerala, India, situated at 1,691 metres above sea level. The estate is operated by Kanan Devan Hills Plantations Company (KDHP), a significant presence in southern India's tea sector. The estate produces black tea and is recorded as a supplier to Morrisons, the British supermarket chain.
Terroir & Climate
At 1,691 metres, Chokanad I occupies a high-elevation site within Kerala's tea-growing landscape. Estates at this altitude in southern India typically experience cooler temperatures and greater diurnal variation than lowland gardens, conditions that tend to slow leaf growth and can contribute to greater concentration of flavour compounds. The latitude—just above 10° N—places the estate within the tropical belt, where monsoon patterns generally define the growing calendar.
High-elevation sites in this region often benefit from mist cover and consistent moisture during the monsoon months, while the cooler dry season may moderate growth and influence leaf chemistry. These conditions are commonly associated with teas of notable body and briskness, though specific outcomes depend on cultivar selection, plucking discipline, and factory technique.
Tea Produced
Chokanad I produces black tea. Estates in Kerala's high ranges, particularly those above 1,500 metres, tend to yield teas with brisk, bright character and good colour in the cup. The slower maturation typical of cooler, elevated sites often supports a balance of astringency and body. While individual estate style is shaped by manufacturing choices and seasonal variation, black teas from this altitude in Kerala are generally valued for consistent strength and a clean, if occasionally robust, finish.
Supply Chain & Market Position
Chokanad I is recorded as supplying Morrisons, one of the United Kingdom's major supermarket groups. This relationship places the estate within a supply chain serving the retail tea market, where consistent quality, food-safety compliance, and volume reliability are essential. Supermarket supply typically demands traceability and adherence to buyer standards, and inclusion in such channels reflects the estate's integration into commercial procurement networks that prioritise dependable, year-round availability.
- Recorded supplier to Morrisons
Operator
Kanan Devan Hills Plantations Company (KDHP) operates Chokanad I. KDHP is a major tea producer in Kerala and is notable as one of the world's largest employee-owned tea companies. The company manages a portfolio of estates in the Western Ghats and is recorded as the operator of five other estates in our directory, underscoring its regional scale and influence within India's southern tea industry.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Chokanad I lies at 10.0359, 77.1371 in Kerala, India. Its 1691 m elevation is the 2nd highest of 8 estates we map in Kerala. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Devikulam — 3.0 km away
- Lockhart Tea Estate — 3.6 km away · Devicolam Idukki
- Letchmi — 6.3 km away
- Harrisons Malayalam Ltd. — 7.7 km away · Suryanelli
- Surianalle Tea Estate, Idukki — 7.7 km away · Suryanelli
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Chokanad I
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Chokanad I (1,691 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Chokanad I recorded 2,773 mm in 2025, 43% more than the 1,943 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rancabali Tea Estate | Bandung Regency, Indonesia | 1,686 m | 2,986 mm | 21.5 °C |
| Kenya Tea Development Agency, Sombogo | Kisii, Kenya | 1,684 m | 1,586 mm | 24.8 °C |
| Ngorongo Tea Factory Ltd | Kenya, Kenya | 1,702 m | 876 mm | 24.3 °C |
| Green Fountain Yunnan Tea Co., Ltd- Lailong | Yunnan Province, China | 1,718 m | 2,028 mm | 21.8 °C |
| Himalayan Shangri-La | Mechi Hwy, Nepal | 1,661 m | 2,238 mm | 18.2 °C |
Chokanad I Compared with Kerala
In Kerala, Chokanad I is the driest of the 8 estates by 2025 rainfall; higher than 86% of the others by elevation; cooler than 86% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Chokanad I against the 7 other estates we map in Kerala, so you can see whether it is typical for its region or an outlier.
| Measure | Chokanad I | Region median | Region range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 1,691 m | 1,593 m | 1,088 to 1,972 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 2,773 mm | 3,791 mm | 2,773 to 4,774 mm |
| Mean daily high | 21.1 °C | 21.6 °C | 19.7 to 23.2 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 13.4 °C | 14.3 °C | 11.9 to 16.0 °C |
Observed Climate at Chokanad I (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Chokanad I’s coordinates recorded 2,773 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was May (596 mm) and the driest was February (23 mm). Daytime highs averaged 21.1 °C and overnight lows 13.4 °C over the year; April was the warmest month and December the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 2,773 mm |
| Wettest month | May (596 mm) |
| Driest month | February (23 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 21.1 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 13.4 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Chokanad I located?
Chokanad I is in Kerala, India, at coordinates 10.0359, 77.1371, at an elevation of about 1691 metres.
Who operates Chokanad I?
Chokanad I is operated by Kanan Devan Hills Plantations Company (KDHP), according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Chokanad I produce?
Chokanad I is recorded as producing black tea.
Which buyers does Chokanad I supply?
Public supplier disclosures record Chokanad I as supplying Morrisons.
How much rain does Chokanad I receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 2,773 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in May (596 mm).
How does Chokanad I compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Chokanad I recorded 2,773 mm in 2025, 43% more rain than the 1,943 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].