In short: Kotada Tea Estate is a black tea producer in the Kotagiri region of India, operated by Stanes Amalgamated Estates Ltd., notable for its Ethical Tea Partnership certification.
Kotada Tea Estate is a black tea producer situated in the Kotagiri region of the Nilgiris district in southern India. The estate is operated by Stanes Amalgamated Estates Ltd., a company with a long-established presence in the Nilgiri tea industry. Kotada operates at an elevation of 1915 metres, placing it among the higher-altitude tea gardens in the region. No buyer relationships are currently recorded in available trade data.
Terroir & Climate
At 1915 metres, Kotada occupies a high-elevation site within the Kotagiri region, where cooler temperatures and greater diurnal variation typically slow the growth cycle and encourage the development of more complex biochemistry in the leaf. Estates at this altitude in the Nilgiris generally benefit from consistent cloud cover and orographic rainfall, factors that tend to moderate heat stress and maintain soil moisture through much of the year.
The latitude of approximately 11.4°N places Kotada in a tropical highland zone where the monsoon cycle shapes two main cropping windows. High-altitude Nilgiri gardens often experience a more extended withering period and slower oxidation relative to lowland estates, conditions that can favour the retention of certain volatile compounds and polyphenols in the manufactured leaf.
Tea Produced
Kotada produces black tea. Kotagiri estates at this elevation typically yield cups with a balance of briskness and body, often exhibiting a cleaner, more aromatic profile than teas from lower-lying Nilgiri gardens. The slower maturation associated with high-altitude cultivation generally supports the development of floral and sometimes fruit-tinged notes, though individual cup character depends heavily on plucking standards, seasonality, and processing technique.
Operator
Stanes Amalgamated Estates Ltd. operates Kotada and is recorded as managing one other tea estate in our directory. The company has been active in the Nilgiris for over a century and represents one of the established plantation groups in the region, with interests spanning tea cultivation, processing, and export. Its portfolio reflects a focus on mid- to high-elevation gardens in southern India.
Certifications & Ethics
Kotada Tea Estate holds certification from the Ethical Tea Partnership, a membership organisation that requires adherence to standards covering labour rights, health and safety, and environmental stewardship. ETP certification involves regular independent audits and is intended to assure buyers that conditions on certified estates meet baseline ethical criteria, including fair wages, safe working conditions, and responsible pesticide use. For workers, membership signals a commitment to monitored compliance with national and international labour standards.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Kotada Tea 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:
- Havukal 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 Kotada Tea Estate
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Kotada Tea 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. Kotada Tea 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 |
Kotada Tea Estate Compared with India
In India, Kotada Tea 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 Kotada Tea 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 | Kotada Tea 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 Kotada Tea Estate (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Kotada Tea 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 Kotada Tea Estate located?
Kotada Tea Estate is in Kotagiri, India, at coordinates 11.4218, 76.8617, at an elevation of about 1915 metres.
Who operates Kotada Tea Estate?
Kotada Tea Estate is operated by Stanes Amalgamated Estates Ltd., according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Kotada Tea Estate produce?
Kotada Tea Estate is recorded as producing black tea.
What certifications does Kotada Tea Estate hold?
Kotada Tea Estate is recorded as holding the following certification(s): Ethical Tea Partnership.
How much rain does Kotada Tea 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 Kotada Tea Estate compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Kotada Tea 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].
