In short: Devikulam is a black tea estate in Kerala, India, operated by Kanan Devan Hills Plantations Company (KDHP) and recorded as supplying Morrisons.
Devikulam is a tea estate located in Kerala, India, at an elevation of 1,626 metres. The property is operated by Kanan Devan Hills Plantations Company (KDHP), a significant producer in the region. The estate is recorded as supplying black tea to Morrisons, the British supermarket chain.
Terroir & Climate
At 1,626 metres above sea level, Devikulam sits within a high-elevation growing zone typical of Kerala's principal tea-producing districts. Estates at this altitude generally experience cooler temperatures and greater diurnal variation than lowland gardens, conditions that tend to slow leaf growth and can contribute to the development of more complex flavour compounds. The latitude, at approximately 10° N, places the estate within a tropical belt where seasonal monsoon patterns typically influence the flush cycles.
High-altitude sites in Kerala are often subject to mist and cloud cover, which can moderate sunlight exposure and maintain relatively stable humidity levels throughout much of the year. These conditions generally favour slower, more gradual maturation of the leaf, a factor that many producers associate with enhanced body and character in the made tea. However, specific microclimatic influences—slope orientation, drainage, and local rainfall patterns—vary considerably even within a single estate.
Tea Produced
Devikulam produces black tea. High-grown Kerala teas from this elevation band typically yield a cup with good body and a smooth, rounded character. Estates in this region often produce teas with malty or slightly woody notes, sometimes accompanied by a natural sweetness. The slower growth associated with cooler, high-altitude conditions tends to support the development of depth and complexity in the liquor, though cup profile will vary with flush, manufacturing method, and specific leaf handling.
Supply Chain & Market Position
Devikulam is recorded as supplying Morrisons, one of the United Kingdom's major supermarket retailers. This relationship places the estate within the supply chain for mainstream British retail tea, a segment that demands consistent quality, traceability, and volume. Supplying a retailer of Morrisons' scale indicates that Devikulam meets the commercial and compliance standards expected by large-format buyers, including established protocols for documentation and quality assurance.
- Recorded supplier to Morrisons
Operator
The estate is operated by Kanan Devan Hills Plantations Company (KDHP), a prominent producer in the Kerala tea sector. KDHP operates five other estates recorded in our directory, reflecting its position as a substantial landholder and manufacturer in the region. The company's scale and multi-estate structure typically enable centralised processing infrastructure, shared agronomic expertise, and consolidated logistics for reaching export and domestic buyers.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Devikulam lies at 10.0564, 77.1198 in Kerala, India. Its 1626 m elevation is the 4th highest of 8 estates we map in Kerala. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Lockhart Tea Estate — 1.2 km away · Devicolam Idukki
- Chokanad I — 3.0 km away
- Letchmi — 3.5 km away
- Madupatty Tea Estate — 5.3 km away · Mattupetty
- Viriparai Super Tea Estate — 7.2 km away · Munnar
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Devikulam
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Devikulam (1,626 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Devikulam recorded 2,773 mm in 2025, 56% more than the 1,774 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KANGAITA | Moi Avenue, Kenya | 1,632 m | 1,160 mm | 21.8 °C |
| Kayu Aro Tea Estate | Kerinci Regency, Indonesia | 1,618 m | 3,130 mm | 21.1 °C |
| KABAMBE | Iringa, Tanzania United Republic Of | 1,618 m | 628 mm | 25.4 °C |
| Global Village Tea Company Ltd. | Western, Uganda | 1,635 m | 1,399 mm | 25.3 °C |
| Seeyok Tea Garden | Mirik, India | 1,612 m | 2,552 mm | 19.4 °C |
Devikulam Compared with Kerala
In Kerala, Devikulam is the driest of the 8 estates by 2025 rainfall; higher than 57% of the others by elevation; cooler than 71% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Devikulam against the 7 other estates we map in Kerala, so you can see whether it is typical for its region or an outlier.
| Measure | Devikulam | Region median | Region range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 1,626 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 | 21.3 °C | 21.6 °C | 19.7 to 23.2 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 13.5 °C | 14.3 °C | 11.9 to 16.0 °C |
Observed Climate at Devikulam (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Devikulam’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 21.3 °C and overnight lows 13.5 °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 | 21.3 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 13.5 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Devikulam located?
Devikulam is in Kerala, India, at coordinates 10.0564, 77.1198, at an elevation of about 1626 metres.
Who operates Devikulam?
Devikulam is operated by Kanan Devan Hills Plantations Company (KDHP), according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Devikulam produce?
Devikulam is recorded as producing black tea.
Which buyers does Devikulam supply?
Public supplier disclosures record Devikulam as supplying Morrisons.
How much rain does Devikulam receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 2,773 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in May (596 mm).
How does Devikulam compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Devikulam recorded 2,773 mm in 2025, 56% more rain than the 1,774 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].