In short: Guderale is a black tea estate in Kerala, India, operated by Kanan Devan Hills Plantations Company (KDHP) at an elevation of 1,501 metres and recorded as supplying Morrisons.
Guderale is a tea estate in Kerala, India, situated at 1,501 metres above sea level. It is operated by Kanan Devan Hills Plantations Company (KDHP), one of the principal corporate producers in the south Indian high-ranges. The estate is recorded as supplying Morrisons, the British supermarket chain.
Terroir & Climate
At 1,501 metres, Guderale occupies a mid-to-high elevation band in the Western Ghats, where estates generally experience a moderated tropical climate with cooler nights and significant diurnal temperature variation. This altitude typically slows the growth cycle of the tea plant, often encouraging slower cell division in the leaf and a potential for greater concentration of polyphenols and other secondary metabolites compared to low-elevation gardens.
Kerala's position at approximately 10° north latitude places the estate in a region that tends to receive substantial monsoon rainfall, particularly from the south-west monsoon, interspersed with drier periods. Estates at this elevation in the Western Ghats often benefit from mist cover and well-distributed moisture through much of the year, conditions that generally favour year-round plucking with seasonal variation in flush character and intensity.
Tea Produced
Guderale produces black tea. Estates at comparable elevations in Kerala typically yield teas with a robust body, notable briskness, and a malty or slightly sweet character that is distinct from the lighter, more aromatic profiles sometimes associated with higher-altitude gardens further north. The cup profile from this region often exhibits good colour and strength, attributes that generally suit blending programmes for the retail and food-service sectors.
Supply Chain & Market Position
Guderale is recorded as a supplier to Morrisons, one of the largest supermarket groups in the United Kingdom. This relationship places the estate within the supply chain for own-label and branded black tea destined for the British retail market, a sector that demands consistent volume, quality assurance, and traceability. Supplying a major UK multiple suggests that Guderale's output meets the certification and audit standards typically required by high-street grocers, even where specific third-party certifications are not publicly recorded.
- Recorded supplier to Morrisons
Operator
Kanan Devan Hills Plantations Company (KDHP) is a significant operator in Kerala's tea sector, with a history rooted in the high-ranges of the Western Ghats. KDHP operates a total of five other estates recorded in our directory, indicating a multi-site portfolio and a regional concentration of production. The company's scale and operational footprint position it as an important participant in India's south Indian tea supply chain.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Guderale lies at 10.0882, 77.0579 in Kerala, India. Its 1501 m elevation is the 6th highest of 8 estates we map in Kerala. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Kadalaar — under 1 km away · munnar kadalaar divison
- Viriparai Super Tea Estate — under 1 km away · Munnar
- Chokanad Tea Estate — 3.8 km away · Kannan Devan Hills
- Thenmallay — 3.8 km away
- Letchmi — 4.2 km away
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Guderale
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Guderale (1,501 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Guderale recorded 3,791 mm in 2025, 132% more than the 1,634 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IKUMBI | THIKA, Kenya | 1,500 m | 956 mm | 25.1 °C |
| Kijura Tea Company | Western, Uganda | 1,502 m | 1,376 mm | 25.8 °C |
| Thumaita | Kenya, Kenya | 1,499 m | 1,274 mm | 24.0 °C |
| Tukdah Tea Estate | West Bengal, India | 1,504 m | 2,376 mm | 20.7 °C |
| Pita Ratmalie Tea Factory | B147, Sri Lanka | 1,498 m | 2,188 mm | 22.5 °C |
Guderale Compared with Kerala
In Kerala, Guderale is wetter than 57% of the others by 2025 rainfall; lower than 71% of the others by elevation; warmer than 57% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Guderale against the 7 other estates we map in Kerala, so you can see whether it is typical for its region or an outlier.
| Measure | Guderale | Region median | Region range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 1,501 m | 1,626 m | 1,088 to 1,972 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 3,791 mm | 2,995 mm | 2,773 to 4,774 mm |
| Mean daily high | 21.6 °C | 21.3 °C | 19.7 to 23.2 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 14.3 °C | 13.5 °C | 11.9 to 16.0 °C |
Observed Climate at Guderale (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Guderale’s coordinates recorded 3,791 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was May (825 mm) and the driest was February (16 mm). Daytime highs averaged 21.6 °C and overnight lows 14.3 °C over the year; April was the warmest month and December the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 3,791 mm |
| Wettest month | May (825 mm) |
| Driest month | February (16 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 21.6 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 14.3 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Guderale located?
Guderale is in Kerala, India, at coordinates 10.0882, 77.0579, at an elevation of about 1501 metres.
Who operates Guderale?
Guderale is operated by Kanan Devan Hills Plantations Company (KDHP), according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Guderale produce?
Guderale is recorded as producing black tea.
Which buyers does Guderale supply?
Public supplier disclosures record Guderale as supplying Morrisons.
How much rain does Guderale receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 3,791 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in May (825 mm).
How does Guderale compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Guderale recorded 3,791 mm in 2025, 132% more rain than the 1,634 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].