In short: Letchmi is a black-tea-producing estate in Kerala, India, operated by Kanan Devan Hills Plantations Company (KDHP) at an elevation of 1,593 metres and recorded as supplying Morrisons.
Letchmi is a tea estate located in Kerala, India, at an altitude of 1,593 metres. The estate is operated by Kanan Devan Hills Plantations Company (KDHP) and produces black tea. It is recorded as a supplier to Morrisons, the British supermarket chain.
Terroir & Climate
At 1,593 metres above sea level in Kerala, Letchmi occupies a mid-to-high elevation band where cooler temperatures and diurnal variation typically extend the growing cycle. Estates at this altitude in southern India generally experience moderated daytime heat and relatively stable moisture, conditions that tend to favour slower leaf maturation and the accumulation of flavour compounds.
Kerala's position near the southern tip of the Indian peninsula, at a latitude of approximately 10°N, places it within the influence of both the south-west and north-east monsoons. This dual monsoon regime generally provides extended periods of rainfall and high humidity, which can support year-round cultivation. Elevation in this range often helps to temper the intense tropical heat of the lowlands, contributing to a growing environment that many growers associate with more nuanced leaf character.
Tea Produced
Letchmi produces black tea. Estates in Kerala at this elevation typically yield cups with medium to full body, moderate astringency, and a flavour profile that may range from malty to subtly fruity, depending on processing and seasonal conditions. The cooler growing environment at 1,593 metres often supports the development of aromatic complexity, though specific cup character will vary with harvest timing and manufacturing practice.
Supply Chain & Market Position
Letchmi is recorded as supplying Morrisons, one of the United Kingdom's major supermarket chains. This relationship places the estate within a supply chain serving the British retail sector, where volume, consistency, and traceability are key requirements. Supplying a large multiple retailer of this kind typically indicates that the estate meets the logistical, quality-assurance, and auditing standards expected by mainstream grocery buyers. The connection to Morrisons suggests that Letchmi's output is part of the blended or own-label tea offerings common in the UK supermarket segment.
- Recorded supplier to Morrisons
Operator
Letchmi is managed by Kanan Devan Hills Plantations Company (KDHP), a significant plantation operator in southern India. KDHP is known for its holdings in the high-range tea districts and operates at least one other estate recorded in this directory. The company's portfolio and operational scale position it as a notable player in the regional tea industry, supplying both domestic and international markets.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Letchmi lies at 10.0722, 77.0925 in Kerala, India. Its 1593 m elevation is the 5th 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 — 2.8 km away · Devicolam Idukki
- Devikulam — 3.5 km away
- Viriparai Super Tea Estate — 3.7 km away · Munnar
- Kadalaar — 4.1 km away · munnar kadalaar divison
- Guderale — 4.2 km away
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Letchmi
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Letchmi (1,593 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Letchmi recorded 3,791 mm in 2025, 112% more than the 1,788 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mmwakaleli Tea Company | Mbeya, Tanzania United Republic Of | 1,592 m | 1,944 mm | 19.9 °C |
| Thurbo Tea Estate | West Bengal, India | 1,590 m | 2,552 mm | 19.5 °C |
| Mudete Tea Factory | Gisambai - Mudete Rd, Kenya | 1,603 m | 1,708 mm | 25.7 °C |
| Karongi Ltd, Muganza, Kivu Tea Factory | Birambo, Rwanda | 1,582 m | 1,190 mm | 24.5 °C |
| TINDERET | Songhor, Kenya | 1,577 m | 1,545 mm | 25.9 °C |
Letchmi Compared with Kerala
In Kerala, Letchmi is wetter than 57% of the others by 2025 rainfall; lower than 57% of the others by elevation; warmer than 57% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Letchmi against the 7 other estates we map in Kerala, so you can see whether it is typical for its region or an outlier.
| Measure | Letchmi | Region median | Region range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 1,593 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 Letchmi (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Letchmi’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 Letchmi located?
Letchmi is in Kerala, India, at coordinates 10.0722, 77.0925, at an elevation of about 1593 metres.
Who operates Letchmi?
Letchmi is operated by Kanan Devan Hills Plantations Company (KDHP)|Kanan Devan Hills Plantations Company (KDHP), according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Letchmi produce?
Letchmi is recorded as producing black tea.
Which buyers does Letchmi supply?
Public supplier disclosures record Letchmi as supplying Morrisons.
How much rain does Letchmi receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 3,791 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in May (825 mm).
How does Letchmi compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Letchmi recorded 3,791 mm in 2025, 112% more rain than the 1,788 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].