In short: Moongalaar Tea Estate is a black tea producer in the Periyar region of India, operating at 804 metres under the management of Harrisons Malayalam Ltd.
Moongalaar Tea Estate is located in the Periyar region of southern India, at an elevation of 804 metres. The estate is operated by Harrisons Malayalam Ltd., a significant player in the Indian tea industry that manages a portfolio of estates across the country. Moongalaar produces black tea and holds certification from the Ethical Tea Partnership.
Terroir & Climate
At just over 800 metres, Moongalaar occupies a mid-elevation position in the Western Ghats zone, where estates typically experience warm, humid conditions moderated by altitude. This latitude—close to 10° North—means the estate lies within a tropical climate belt, where year-round warmth and monsoonal rainfall patterns tend to support continuous cropping cycles rather than the sharply defined dormancy seen in higher-latitude gardens.
Estates at this elevation in southern India generally benefit from reliable moisture and steady temperatures, conditions that often favour vigorous vegetative growth and consistent yields. The interplay between altitude, aspect, and the regional microclimate typically shapes leaf morphology and the pace of flush development, though specifics depend on factors not captured in altitude alone.
Tea Produced
Moongalaar produces black tea, a category that in the Periyar region and at this elevation typically yields full-bodied, malty liquors with moderate astringency. Southern Indian estates at similar altitudes often generate teas characterised by brisk, robust cup profiles rather than the floral or muscatel notes associated with higher-elevation or Darjeeling-style production. The processing methods and plucking standards employed will ultimately determine the grade and flavour intensity, but the regional baseline tends toward strength and colour in the cup.
Operator
Harrisons Malayalam Ltd. is a long-established operator in the Indian tea sector, with a presence spanning multiple growing regions. The company manages six other estates recorded in our directory, indicating a diversified production base and significant operational scale. This multi-estate structure typically affords advantages in logistics, quality control, and negotiating power within domestic and export supply chains.
Certifications & Ethics
Moongalaar holds certification from the Ethical Tea Partnership, an organisation that works with estates to improve labour conditions, environmental stewardship, and community welfare. For buyers, ETP certification signals that the estate has committed to independent audit and continuous improvement across social and environmental metrics. For workers, it generally implies access to grievance mechanisms, safer working conditions, and standards around housing, wages, and freedom of association, though outcomes depend on the rigour of implementation and ongoing monitoring.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Moongalaar Tea Estate lies at 9.6207, 77.0690 in Periyar, India. Its 804 m elevation is the 81st highest of 250 estates we map in India. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Wallardie Tea Estate — 3.6 km away · Vandiperiyar Idukki
- Panniar Tea Estate — 46 km away · Idukki
- Chokanad I — 47 km away · Kerala
- Lockhart Tea Estate — 48 km away · Devicolam Idukki
- Devikulam — 49 km away · Kerala
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Moongalaar Tea Estate
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Moongalaar Tea Estate (804 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Moongalaar Tea Estate recorded 2,600 mm in 2025, 10% more than the 2,362 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yahaladuwa | Southern Province, Sri Lanka | 806 m | 2,750 mm | 25.9 °C |
| Choke Chamroen Tea Co Ltd | Chiang Rai, Thailand | 806 m | 1,748 mm | 26.0 °C |
| Balangoda Plantations, Cecilton | Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka | 797 m | 3,088 mm | 25.7 °C |
| Shin-Yu-Min Co., Ltd. | Yuchi Township, Taiwan | 793 m | 3,160 mm | 24.1 °C |
| KIONYO | 710, Kenya | 821 m | 1,066 mm | 30.2 °C |
Moongalaar Tea Estate Compared with India
In India, Moongalaar Tea Estate is drier than 59% of the others by 2025 rainfall; higher than 68% of the others by elevation; cooler than 69% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Moongalaar 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 | Moongalaar Tea Estate | Country median | Country range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 804 m | 126 m | 6 to 2,299 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 2,600 mm | 2,778 mm | 745 to 4,774 mm |
| Mean daily high | 25.8 °C | 28.3 °C | 16.9 to 34.5 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 18.4 °C | 19.3 °C | 9.3 to 24.2 °C |
Observed Climate at Moongalaar Tea Estate (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Moongalaar Tea Estate’s coordinates recorded 2,600 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was May (586 mm) and the driest was February (4 mm). Daytime highs averaged 25.8 °C and overnight lows 18.4 °C over the year; April was the warmest month and December the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 2,600 mm |
| Wettest month | May (586 mm) |
| Driest month | February (4 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 25.8 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 18.4 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Moongalaar Tea Estate located?
Moongalaar Tea Estate is in Periyar, India, at coordinates 9.6207, 77.0690, at an elevation of about 804 metres.
Who operates Moongalaar Tea Estate?
Moongalaar Tea Estate is operated by Harrisons Malayalam Ltd., according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Moongalaar Tea Estate produce?
Moongalaar Tea Estate is recorded as producing black tea.
What certifications does Moongalaar Tea Estate hold?
Moongalaar Tea Estate is recorded as holding the following certification(s): Ethical Tea Partnership.
How much rain does Moongalaar Tea Estate receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 2,600 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in May (586 mm).
How does Moongalaar Tea Estate compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Moongalaar Tea Estate recorded 2,600 mm in 2025, 10% more rain than the 2,362 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].
