In short: Kusum International is a tea estate on Lord Sinha Road, India, operated by Kusum International, producing black tea with Ethical Tea Partnership and Organic certification.
Kusum International is a tea estate located on Lord Sinha Road in India, at approximately 12 metres above sea level. The estate is operated by Kusum International, a company that manages at least two other estates recorded in industry directories. The estate produces black tea.
Terroir & Climate
At 12 metres elevation and positioned near 22.5° north latitude, this estate operates at an altitude far lower than the traditional highland tea-growing regions of India. Estates at this elevation typically experience warmer, more humid growing conditions throughout the year, with minimal temperature variation between seasons. The low altitude generally means a longer, more continuous growing season, uninterrupted by the dormancy periods common to higher-elevation gardens.
Such conditions tend to promote rapid vegetative growth and can yield leaf with different biochemical characteristics than highland-grown material. The absence of cool nights and pronounced diurnal temperature shifts—often associated with the development of nuanced secondary metabolites in the leaf—means that teas from very low elevations typically express a different flavour architecture. Proximity to river deltas or urban centres at this latitude often brings high humidity and consistent warmth, factors that influence both the pace of the plucking cycle and the post-harvest handling required to maintain leaf quality.
Tea Produced
Kusum International produces black tea. Estates at very low elevations in India generally yield teas with a robust, full-bodied character, though the specific cup profile depends heavily on manufacturing technique, plucking standards, and post-harvest handling. Black teas from low-altitude origins tend to offer straightforward strength and colour rather than the aromatic complexity or brightness often associated with high-grown leaf. Such teas are frequently employed in blends where body and consistency are prioritised, though processing skill and cultivar selection can yield distinctive single-origin character even at modest elevations.
Operator
Kusum International operates this estate and is recorded as managing at least two other tea-growing properties. The presence of multiple estates under a single operator suggests a degree of vertical integration and administrative scale, which can facilitate shared agronomic knowledge, centralised certification compliance, and coordinated marketing. Multi-estate operators often benefit from economies of scale in procurement, processing infrastructure, and quality assurance.
Certifications & Ethics
Kusum International holds certification from the Ethical Tea Partnership and is certified Organic. Ethical Tea Partnership membership requires adherence to standards covering labour rights, health and safety, and environmental stewardship, with regular third-party audits to monitor compliance. Organic certification mandates that cultivation proceeds without synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or fertilisers, and typically involves soil-health practices and biodiversity measures. For buyers, these certifications offer documented assurance on social and environmental performance; for workers, ETP standards are designed to underpin fair wages, safe working conditions, and access to grievance mechanisms.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Kusum International lies at 22.5439, 88.3501 in LORD SINHA ROAD, India. Its 12 m elevation is the joint 236th highest of 250 estates we map in India. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Sungma Tea Estate — under 1 km away · Camac Street
- Deamoolie — under 1 km away · Pretoria Street
- Dhoedaam — under 1 km away · Pretoria Street
- Rajahalli — under 1 km away · Pretoria Street
- Zaloni — under 1 km away · Pretoria Street
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Kusum International
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Kusum International (12 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Kusum International recorded 1,858 mm in 2025, 30% less than the 2,640 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ameenabad Tea Factory | Moulvibazar, Bangladesh | 12 m | 2,447 mm | 30.2 °C |
| Amrail Tea Factory | Moulvibazar, Bangladesh | 12 m | 2,201 mm | 30.1 °C |
| Brombil Tea Factory | Horawela - Pelawatte - Pitigala Rd, Sri Lanka | 12 m | 3,642 mm | 30.0 °C |
| Athukorala, Athukorala Group | Southern Province, Sri Lanka | 12 m | 3,438 mm | 30.1 °C |
| Zehjiang Tea Group | 218 Ti Yui Chang Road, China | 13 m | 1,470 mm | 24.3 °C |
Kusum International Compared with India
In India, Kusum International is drier than 91% of the others by 2025 rainfall; lower than 95% of the others by elevation; warmer than 94% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Kusum International against the 249 other estates we map in India, so you can see whether it is typical for its country or an outlier.
| Measure | Kusum International | Country median | Country range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 12 m | 126 m | 6 to 2,299 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 1,858 mm | 2,778 mm | 745 to 4,774 mm |
| Mean daily high | 31.4 °C | 28.3 °C | 16.9 to 34.5 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 22.9 °C | 19.2 °C | 9.3 to 24.2 °C |
Observed Climate at Kusum International (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Kusum International’s coordinates recorded 1,858 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was July (450 mm) and the driest was December (0 mm). Daytime highs averaged 31.4 °C and overnight lows 22.9 °C over the year; May was the warmest month and December the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 1,858 mm |
| Wettest month | July (450 mm) |
| Driest month | December (0 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 31.4 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 22.9 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Kusum International located?
Kusum International is in LORD SINHA ROAD, India, at coordinates 22.5439, 88.3501, at an elevation of about 12 metres.
Who operates Kusum International?
Kusum International is operated by Kusum International, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Kusum International produce?
Kusum International is recorded as producing black tea.
What certifications does Kusum International hold?
Kusum International is recorded as holding the following certification(s): Ethical Tea Partnership, Organic.
How much rain does Kusum International receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 1,858 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in July (450 mm).
How does Kusum International compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Kusum International recorded 1,858 mm in 2025, 30% less rain than the 2,640 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].
