In short: Havukal Estate is a black tea producer in Kotagiri, in the Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu, India, operated by Havukal Tea And Produce Company Private. Ltd.
Havukal Estate is a tea plantation located in Kotagiri, part of the Nilgiris district in Tamil Nadu, southern India. The estate sits at an elevation of 1,915 metres and specialises in the production of black tea. It is operated by Havukal Tea And Produce Company Private. Ltd., a private limited company registered in India. No public records of direct buyers for the estate's output have been identified.
Terroir & Climate
At 1,915 metres elevation, Havukal Estate occupies a high-altitude site within the Nilgiris, a region whose elevation and position at approximately 11.4°N latitude tend to produce a growing environment distinct from lower-lying plains. Estates at this elevation in the Nilgiris typically experience cooler temperatures and greater diurnal variation, factors that generally slow leaf growth and can contribute to more gradual accumulation of flavour compounds. The Kotagiri area, in the eastern part of the Nilgiris plateau, often receives the influence of both south-west and north-east monsoons, though local microclimates vary.
High-altitude gardens in this region are generally subject to mist and cloud cover during parts of the year, moderating temperature extremes and maintaining relatively stable humidity. These conditions tend to favour a longer growing season for tea, with leaf plucked year-round but often with distinct character shifts between dry and wet periods. Soils in the Nilgiris tend to be acidic and well-drained, formed from weathered gneiss and other metamorphic parent material, though specific soil chemistry varies considerably from estate to estate.
Tea Produced
Havukal Estate produces black tea. Nilgiris teas from estates at this elevation generally yield a cup profile that is brisk and fragrant, often exhibiting a medium body with bright, clean liquor. The higher-altitude Kotagiri gardens tend to produce black teas with a more delicate, sometimes floral or fruity character compared to the heavier, malty profiles associated with Assam or some lower-elevation southern Indian districts. Depending on the season of manufacture and leaf grade, Havukal's output would typically be expected to range from lively, astringent batches suitable for blending to more nuanced whole-leaf grades with aromatic complexity.
Operator
Havukal Estate is operated by Havukal Tea And Produce Company Private. Ltd., a private limited entity incorporated in India. The company operates at least one other tea estate recorded in industry directories, indicating a modest multi-site operation within the southern Indian tea sector. Details of the company's ownership structure, total acreage under management, and annual production volumes are not publicly disclosed.
Certifications & Ethics
Havukal Estate holds membership in the Ethical Tea Partnership, a multi-stakeholder initiative that requires member estates to meet standards on labour rights, health and safety, and environmental stewardship. ETP membership involves independent monitoring and a commitment to continuous improvement against the organisation's code of conduct. For buyers, this certification offers third-party assurance that the estate is subject to regular audit on social and environmental criteria, covering issues such as working hours, wages, housing, pesticide management, and freedom of association for workers.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Havukal Estate lies at 11.4218, 76.8617 in Kotagiri, India. Its 1915 m elevation is the joint 20th highest of 250 estates we map in India. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Kotada Tea Estate — under 1 km away
- Glendale Estate — under 1 km away · Coonoor
- Burnside Tea Estate — under 1 km away · Tamil Nadu
- Warwick Estate — 1.6 km away
- Tea Studio — 5.6 km away · Kattabettu
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Havukal Estate
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Havukal Estate (1,915 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Havukal Estate recorded 1,459 mm in 2025, 38% less than the 2,368 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kipchimchim Group, Tet Tea Factory Co. Ltd, Laibei | Kericho, Kenya | 1,915 m | 1,535 mm | 23.4 °C |
| Chepkumia Tea Factory | Nandi, Kenya | 1,912 m | 2,070 mm | 23.2 °C |
| Elpitiya Plantations, Meddecombara North | Central Province, Sri Lanka | 1,912 m | 3,152 mm | 19.3 °C |
| Southtee Handel | Ximeng, China | 1,907 m | 2,285 mm | 20.0 °C |
| Udapussellawa Plantations, Court Lodge | Central Province, Sri Lanka | 1,924 m | 2,798 mm | 19.1 °C |
Havukal Estate Compared with India
In India, Havukal Estate is drier than 98% of the others by 2025 rainfall; higher than 92% of the others by elevation; cooler than 89% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Havukal Estate against the 249 other estates we map in India, so you can see whether it is typical for its country or an outlier.
| Measure | Havukal Estate | Country median | Country range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 1,915 m | 126 m | 6 to 2,299 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 1,459 mm | 2,778 mm | 745 to 4,774 mm |
| Mean daily high | 20.0 °C | 28.3 °C | 16.9 to 34.5 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 13.1 °C | 19.3 °C | 9.3 to 24.2 °C |
Observed Climate at Havukal Estate (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Havukal Estate’s coordinates recorded 1,459 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was May (241 mm) and the driest was February (2 mm). Daytime highs averaged 20.0 °C and overnight lows 13.1 °C over the year; April was the warmest month and December the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 1,459 mm |
| Wettest month | May (241 mm) |
| Driest month | February (2 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 20.0 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 13.1 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Havukal Estate located?
Havukal Estate is in Kotagiri, India, at coordinates 11.4218, 76.8617, at an elevation of about 1915 metres.
Who operates Havukal Estate?
Havukal Estate is operated by Havukal Tea And Produce Company Private. Ltd., according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Havukal Estate produce?
Havukal Estate is recorded as producing black tea.
What certifications does Havukal Estate hold?
Havukal Estate is recorded as holding the following certification(s): Ethical Tea Partnership.
How much rain does Havukal Estate receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 1,459 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in May (241 mm).
How does Havukal Estate compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Havukal Estate recorded 1,459 mm in 2025, 38% less rain than the 2,368 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].
