In short: Phuguri Tea Estate is a black tea producer located in Saurinibasti, India, at an elevation of 1,169 metres, operated by Kusum International.
Phuguri Tea Estate is a black tea producer situated in the Saurinibasti region of India, at an elevation of 1,169 metres. The estate is operated by Kusum International, a company that also manages two other tea estates recorded in this directory. No buyers have been publicly documented for Phuguri's production.
Terroir & Climate
At 1,169 metres above sea level, Phuguri occupies a mid-elevation position in the eastern Himalayan foothills, where the interplay of altitude, latitude and monsoon influence tends to shape both the pace of growth and the chemical composition of the leaf. Estates at this elevation in the region generally experience cooler nights and moderate daytime temperatures compared to lowland gardens, conditions that typically slow vegetative growth and allow gradual accumulation of flavour compounds in the flush.
The Saurinibasti area, lying at approximately 26.8° N, receives the seasonal rhythm of the Indian monsoon, with heavy rainfall from June through September and a pronounced dry period in winter. This climate pattern tends to produce distinct seasonal flushes, with first- and second-flush teas often exhibiting different aromatic and structural profiles as the plant responds to shifting moisture and temperature regimes. Soils in these mid-elevation zones are commonly well-drained and acidic, characteristics that generally favour Camellia sinensis cultivation.
Tea Produced
Phuguri produces black tea. Estates at comparable elevations in the eastern Himalayan belt typically yield black teas with a balance of body and briskness, though specific cup character varies with flush timing, processing method and cultivar. Mid-elevation gardens in this latitude band often produce liquors that combine malty or toasted grain notes with a degree of astringency, and second-flush production can sometimes develop muscatel or stone-fruit nuances when conditions and manufacturing align. The profile Phuguri delivers will depend on its particular processing protocols and the seasonal windows in which leaf is harvested.
Operator
Kusum International operates Phuguri Tea Estate and is also recorded as the operator of two other tea estates in this directory. This multi-estate structure is common among mid-sized Indian tea firms, allowing operational knowledge and agronomic practice to be shared across properties while individual gardens retain distinct terroir characteristics.
Certifications & Ethics
Phuguri Tea Estate holds certification from the Ethical Tea Partnership, a multi-stakeholder initiative that requires members to meet standards on labour rights, health and safety, and environmental stewardship. For buyers, ETP certification offers third-party assurance that the estate is monitored against a defined code of practice; for workers, it establishes a framework of protections and grievance mechanisms that extends beyond statutory minima in many producing regions.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Phuguri Tea Estate lies at 26.8448, 88.2009 in Saurinibasti, India. Its 1169 m elevation is the 66th highest of 250 estates we map in India. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Gayabaree \u0026 Millikthong Tea Estate — under 1 km away · Purba Phuguri Tea Garden
- Singbulli Tea Estate — 1.7 km away · Singbulli Tea Garden
- Seeyok Tea Garden — 4.9 km away · Mirik
- Thurbo Tea Estate — 4.9 km away · West Bengal
- Ambootia — 6.2 km away · West Bengal
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Phuguri Tea Estate
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Phuguri Tea Estate (1,169 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Phuguri Tea Estate recorded 2,778 mm in 2025, 53% more than the 1,818 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hapugastenne Plantations, Oodoowere | Uva Province, Sri Lanka | 1,169 m | 2,417 mm | 25.1 °C |
| MUGOMA | Kampala, Uganda | 1,174 m | 1,208 mm | 26.8 °C |
| Malwatte Valley Plantations, Dickwella | Uva Province, Sri Lanka | 1,175 m | 2,320 mm | 24.8 °C |
| Shangba Tea Farm | Zunyi City, China | 1,189 m | 1,714 mm | 18.2 °C |
| Green Lakes Plantations Sarl, Moniko | Jinja, Uganda | 1,148 m | 1,432 mm | 26.7 °C |
Phuguri Tea Estate Compared with India
In India, Phuguri Tea Estate is drier than 51% of the others by 2025 rainfall; higher than 74% of the others by elevation; cooler than 80% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Phuguri 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 | Phuguri Tea Estate | Country median | Country range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 1,169 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 | 21.5 °C | 28.3 °C | 16.9 to 34.5 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 15.1 °C | 19.3 °C | 9.3 to 24.2 °C |
Observed Climate at Phuguri Tea Estate (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Phuguri 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 21.5 °C and overnight lows 15.1 °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 | 21.5 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 15.1 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Phuguri Tea Estate located?
Phuguri Tea Estate is in Saurinibasti, India, at coordinates 26.8448, 88.2009, at an elevation of about 1169 metres.
Who operates Phuguri Tea Estate?
Phuguri Tea Estate is operated by Kusum International, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Phuguri Tea Estate produce?
Phuguri Tea Estate is recorded as producing black tea.
What certifications does Phuguri Tea Estate hold?
Phuguri Tea Estate is recorded as holding the following certification(s): Ethical Tea Partnership.
How much rain does Phuguri 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 Phuguri Tea Estate compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Phuguri Tea Estate recorded 2,778 mm in 2025, 53% more rain than the 1,818 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].
