In short: Thenmallay is a black-tea estate in Kerala, India, operated by Kanan Devan Hills Plantation Pvt. Ltd., situated at 1,972 metres above sea level.
Thenmallay is a tea estate in Kerala, India, located at an elevation of 1,972 metres above sea level. The estate is operated by Kanan Devan Hills Plantation Pvt. Ltd. and produces black tea. No buyers are currently recorded in public supply‑chain data for this estate.
Terroir & Climate
At 1,972 metres, Thenmallay sits well within the high‑elevation band typical of premium south Indian tea cultivation. Estates at this altitude in Kerala generally experience cooler temperatures and greater diurnal variation than lowland gardens, conditions that tend to slow leaf growth and encourage the accumulation of flavour compounds. The latitude—just over ten degrees north—places the estate in a tropical zone where monsoon systems typically shape the growing calendar, though elevation moderates the heat.
High-altitude gardens in this part of the Western Ghats often benefit from mist, cloud cover and well‑distributed rainfall, all of which can contribute to steady vegetative growth and reduced stress on the tea plant. Cooler nights at this elevation tend to preserve aromatic volatiles in the leaf, a characteristic frequently associated with teas from similar terroirs across India's southern growing regions.
Tea Produced
Thenmallay produces black tea. Estates in Kerala at comparable elevations typically yield teas with bright liquor, brisk character and a balance of body and astringency. High-grown south Indian blacks often display floral or fruit notes alongside malty undertones, though cup profile varies with clone material, plucking standard and processing technique. Without detailed production records, it is prudent to expect a style consistent with the region's general reputation for clean, well‑structured orthodox or CTC blacks suited to both blending and single‑estate retail.
Operator
Thenmallay is operated by Kanan Devan Hills Plantation Pvt. Ltd., a company that manages six other tea estates listed in this directory. The presence of multiple estates under common ownership often indicates coordinated cultivation, processing and marketing strategies, and may afford economies of scale in certification, logistics and quality control across the portfolio.
Certifications & Ethics
Thenmallay holds certification from the Ethical Tea Partnership, a multi‑stakeholder initiative that requires members to meet standards on labour rights, health and safety, and environmental stewardship. For buyers, ETP certification offers independent assurance that the estate is subject to regular monitoring against a code covering wages, working hours, housing and pesticide management. For workers, membership signals a commitment to grievance mechanisms and continuous improvement in welfare conditions, although the scope and rigour of audit depend on the certification tier and frequency of assessment.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Thenmallay lies at 10.1151, 77.0795 in Kerala, India. Its 1972 m elevation is the highest of 8 estates we map in Kerala. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Chokanad Tea Estate — under 1 km away · Kannan Devan Hills
- Kalaargold Tea Estate — 3.5 km away · Kannan Devan Hills
- Kadalaar — 3.6 km away · munnar kadalaar divison
- Guderale — 3.8 km away
- Viriparai Super Tea Estate — 3.9 km away · Munnar
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Thenmallay
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Thenmallay (1,972 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Thenmallay recorded 2,995 mm in 2025, 77% more than the 1,690 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kymulot Factory | Bomet - Tenwek - Silibwet Rd, Kenya | 1,967 m | 1,088 mm | 23.3 °C |
| Kebirigo Tea Factory | Nyamira, Kenya | 1,977 m | 1,474 mm | 23.3 °C |
| Shagasha Tea Factory | Gisuma, Rwanda | 1,964 m | 1,875 mm | 21.2 °C |
| KIBWELE | Iringa, Tanzania United Republic Of | 1,963 m | 1,215 mm | 19.4 °C |
| Concordia Tea Estate | Kandapola, Sri Lanka | 1,962 m | 2,796 mm | 18.9 °C |
Thenmallay Compared with Kerala
In Kerala, Thenmallay is drier than 57% of the others by 2025 rainfall; the highest of the 8 estates by elevation; the coolest of the 8 estates by daytime temperature. The table sets Thenmallay against the 7 other estates we map in Kerala, so you can see whether it is typical for its region or an outlier.
| Measure | Thenmallay | Region median | Region range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 1,972 m | 1,593 m | 1,088 to 1,691 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 2,995 mm | 3,791 mm | 2,773 to 4,774 mm |
| Mean daily high | 19.7 °C | 21.6 °C | 21.1 to 23.2 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 11.9 °C | 14.3 °C | 13.4 to 16.0 °C |
Observed Climate at Thenmallay (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Thenmallay’s coordinates recorded 2,995 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was May (637 mm) and the driest was February (16 mm). Daytime highs averaged 19.7 °C and overnight lows 11.9 °C over the year; April was the warmest month and December the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 2,995 mm |
| Wettest month | May (637 mm) |
| Driest month | February (16 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 19.7 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 11.9 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Thenmallay located?
Thenmallay is in Kerala, India, at coordinates 10.1151, 77.0795, at an elevation of about 1972 metres.
Who operates Thenmallay?
Thenmallay is operated by Kanan Devan Hills Plantation Pvt. Ltd., according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Thenmallay produce?
Thenmallay is recorded as producing black tea.
What certifications does Thenmallay hold?
Thenmallay is recorded as holding the following certification(s): Ethical Tea Partnership.
How much rain does Thenmallay receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 2,995 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in May (637 mm).
How does Thenmallay compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Thenmallay recorded 2,995 mm in 2025, 77% more rain than the 1,690 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].
