In short: Gayabaree & Millikthong is a black tea estate in the Purba Phuguri Tea Garden area of India, operating at 1,212 metres and managed by Kusum International.
Gayabaree & Millikthong Tea Estate is a black tea producer located in the Purba Phuguri Tea Garden region of India, at an elevation of 1,212 metres. The estate is operated by Kusum International, a company that also manages two other tea estates recorded in this directory. No commercial buyers for the estate's production have been publicly documented.
Terroir & Climate
At 1,212 metres above sea level and positioned at approximately 26.8°N latitude, the estate sits in a mid-elevation growing zone where climatic conditions typically favour slower leaf maturation compared to lower-altitude plains. Estates in this elevation band generally experience a diurnal temperature range that can contribute to the development of nuanced flavour compounds, while the cooler nights tend to preserve certain volatile aromatics in the fresh leaf.
The latitude and altitude together suggest a location subject to the influence of the Indian monsoon system, with seasonal rainfall patterns that typically shape both the volume and character of flushes throughout the year. Mid-elevation gardens in this region often contend with mist and cloud cover during certain periods, factors that can moderate sunlight exposure and influence the pace of photosynthesis and the balance of polyphenols in the leaf.
Tea Produced
Gayabaree & Millikthong produces black tea. Estates at comparable elevations in the broader eastern Himalayan belt often yield black teas with a balance between briskness and body, though the precise cup character depends heavily on processing choices and seasonal variation. Mid-elevation Indian black teas from this latitude range can exhibit a rounded mouthfeel with moderate astringency, and some complexity in the mid-palate, though individual estate profiles vary considerably. Without disclosed buyer or processing specifications, it is difficult to assess whether the estate's output leans towards orthodox or CTC styles, each of which shapes flavour and market application distinctly.
Operator
Kusum International operates Gayabaree & Millikthong and is also recorded as managing two other tea estates in this directory. The presence of multiple holdings suggests a company with diversified production capacity, though public information regarding the scale, ownership structure, or market focus of Kusum International remains limited.
Certifications & Ethics
The estate holds certification from the Ethical Tea Partnership, a UK-based membership organisation that monitors labour and environmental standards across tea supply chains. Certification indicates that the estate has undergone assessment against the partnership's code of conduct, which addresses issues including working conditions, wages, health and safety, and agrochemical use. For buyers, ETP membership signals a baseline commitment to social and environmental accountability, though standards and audit frequency vary depending on the partnership's risk assessment framework.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Gayabaree \u0026 Millikthong Tea Estate lies at 26.8399, 88.2035 in Purba Phuguri Tea Garden, India. Its 1212 m elevation is the 65th highest of 250 estates we map in India. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Phuguri Tea Estate — under 1 km away · Saurinibasti
- Singbulli Tea Estate — 1.7 km away · Singbulli Tea Garden
- Thurbo Tea Estate — 5.5 km away · West Bengal
- Seeyok Tea Garden — 5.5 km away · Mirik
- Ambootia — 6.3 km away · West Bengal
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Gayabaree \u0026 Millikthong Tea Estate
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Gayabaree \u0026 Millikthong Tea Estate (1,212 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Gayabaree \u0026 Millikthong Tea Estate recorded 2,778 mm in 2025, 9% more than the 2,542 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adisham Estate | Hatton - Maskeliya - Dalhousie Rd, Sri Lanka | 1,213 m | 4,232 mm | 23.1 °C |
| Kinkiizi Development Co Ltd, Rugyeyo Tea Factory, Kigezi Highland | Kigezi Highland, Uganda | 1,213 m | 1,265 mm | 26.4 °C |
| MITYANA | Nakasero Rd, Uganda | 1,218 m | 1,265 mm | 26.4 °C |
| Kotagala Plantations, Mount Vernon | Central Province, Sri Lanka | 1,220 m | 4,232 mm | 22.6 °C |
| Shangba Tea Farm | Zunyi City, China | 1,189 m | 1,714 mm | 18.2 °C |
Gayabaree \u0026 Millikthong Tea Estate Compared with India
In India, Gayabaree \u0026 Millikthong Tea Estate is drier than 51% of the others by 2025 rainfall; higher than 74% of the others by elevation; cooler than 82% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Gayabaree \u0026 Millikthong 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 | Gayabaree \u0026 Millikthong Tea Estate | Country median | Country range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 1,212 m | 126 m | 6 to 2,299 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 2,778 mm | 2,778 mm | 745 to 4,774 mm |
| Mean daily high | 21.2 °C | 28.3 °C | 16.9 to 34.5 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 14.8 °C | 19.3 °C | 9.3 to 24.2 °C |
Observed Climate at Gayabaree \u0026 Millikthong Tea Estate (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Gayabaree \u0026 Millikthong Tea Estate’s coordinates recorded 2,778 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was August (591 mm) and the driest was December (2 mm). Daytime highs averaged 21.2 °C and overnight lows 14.8 °C over the year; July was the warmest month and February the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 2,778 mm |
| Wettest month | August (591 mm) |
| Driest month | December (2 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 21.2 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 14.8 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Gayabaree \u0026 Millikthong Tea Estate located?
Gayabaree \u0026 Millikthong Tea Estate is in Purba Phuguri Tea Garden, India, at coordinates 26.8399, 88.2035, at an elevation of about 1212 metres.
Who operates Gayabaree \u0026 Millikthong Tea Estate?
Gayabaree \u0026 Millikthong Tea Estate is operated by Kusum International, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Gayabaree \u0026 Millikthong Tea Estate produce?
Gayabaree \u0026 Millikthong Tea Estate is recorded as producing black tea.
What certifications does Gayabaree \u0026 Millikthong Tea Estate hold?
Gayabaree \u0026 Millikthong Tea Estate is recorded as holding the following certification(s): Ethical Tea Partnership.
How much rain does Gayabaree \u0026 Millikthong Tea Estate receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 2,778 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in August (591 mm).
How does Gayabaree \u0026 Millikthong Tea Estate compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Gayabaree \u0026 Millikthong Tea Estate recorded 2,778 mm in 2025, 9% more rain than the 2,542 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].
