In short: Surianalle Tea Estate is a black tea producer in Suryanelli, Idukki district, India, operated by Harrisons Malayalam Ltd. at an elevation of 1,469 metres.
Surianalle Tea Estate is located in the Suryanelli area of Idukki district in the Western Ghats of Kerala, India. The estate operates at an elevation of 1,469 metres and is managed by Harrisons Malayalam Ltd., a company with a substantial presence in South Indian tea production. The estate produces black tea.
Terroir & Climate
At 1,469 metres above sea level in the Idukki district, Surianalle occupies a high-elevation site within the Western Ghats of Kerala. Estates at this altitude typically experience cooler temperatures and greater diurnal variation than lowland gardens, conditions that tend to slow leaf growth and can contribute to more concentrated flavour compounds in the processed tea. The latitude of approximately 10° North places the estate in a tropical zone where monsoon patterns generally shape the growing calendar, with the south-west monsoon typically arriving between June and September.
The Western Ghats receive substantial rainfall, and estates in this region often benefit from well-distributed precipitation and mist cover during the wet months. High-elevation sites such as Suryanelli tend to offer well-drained soils and cooler nights, factors that are generally associated with slower, more even vegetative growth. These conditions can influence both the biochemical profile of the leaf and the processing characteristics during black tea manufacture.
Tea Produced
Surianalle produces black tea. High-grown South Indian black teas from estates at similar elevations in the Western Ghats typically yield liquors with moderate body and a balance of briskness and roundness. The cooler temperatures and slower maturation associated with altitude often contribute to teas with a degree of aromatic complexity, though flavour profiles vary significantly depending on clone, season and manufacturing technique. Estates in Idukki generally produce teas suited to both blending and stand-alone consumption, with cup character often showing a clean finish and restrained astringency.
Operator
Harrisons Malayalam Ltd. is the operating company responsible for Surianalle Tea Estate. The company manages a total of seven tea estates recorded in industry directories, indicating a significant operational footprint in South Indian tea production. Multi-estate operators of this scale typically maintain centralised processing standards, agronomic protocols and quality assurance systems across their portfolios.
Certifications & Ethics
Surianalle Tea Estate holds certification from the Ethical Tea Partnership, an independent membership organisation that works to improve working conditions and environmental practices on tea estates. The certification involves regular independent audits against labour rights, health and safety, and environmental criteria, and is designed to provide transparency for buyers and assurance to workers and their communities. Estates that maintain ETP certification commit to continuous improvement in social and environmental performance.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Surianalle Tea Estate, Idukki lies at 10.0455, 77.2072 in Suryanelli, India. Its 1469 m elevation is the joint 49th highest of 250 estates we map in India. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Harrisons Malayalam Ltd. — under 1 km away
- Panniar Tea Estate — 5.0 km away · Idukki
- Chokanad I — 7.7 km away · Kerala
- Yellapatty Tea Estate — 9.0 km away · Dist. Kerala
- Arivikad — 9.1 km away · Kerala
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Surianalle Tea Estate, Idukki
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Surianalle Tea Estate, Idukki (1,469 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Surianalle Tea Estate, Idukki recorded 2,210 mm in 2025, 7% more than the 2,063 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madulsima Plantations, Kew | Central Province, Sri Lanka | 1,468 m | 2,792 mm | 21.7 °C |
| CHAMONG TEE EXPORTS PVT LTD | WEST BENGAL, India | 1,472 m | 2,552 mm | 20.3 °C |
| Katumba tea estate | Mbeya, Tanzania United Republic Of | 1,474 m | 2,554 mm | 21.1 °C |
| Anshun Royal Tea village tea garden | Guizhou Province, China | 1,477 m | 1,417 mm | 19.4 °C |
| Weru Tea Factory | Mariani, Kenya | 1,479 m | 1,001 mm | 23.8 °C |
Surianalle Tea Estate, Idukki Compared with India
In India, Surianalle Tea Estate, Idukki is drier than 79% of the others by 2025 rainfall; higher than 80% of the others by elevation; cooler than 74% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Surianalle Tea Estate, Idukki against the 249 other estates we map in India, so you can see whether it is typical for its country or an outlier.
| Measure | Surianalle Tea Estate, Idukki | Country median | Country range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 1,469 m | 126 m | 6 to 2,299 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 2,210 mm | 2,778 mm | 745 to 4,774 mm |
| Mean daily high | 22.7 °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 Surianalle Tea Estate, Idukki (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Surianalle Tea Estate, Idukki’s coordinates recorded 2,210 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was May (402 mm) and the driest was February (25 mm). Daytime highs averaged 22.7 °C and overnight lows 14.8 °C over the year; April was the warmest month and December the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 2,210 mm |
| Wettest month | May (402 mm) |
| Driest month | February (25 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 22.7 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 14.8 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Surianalle Tea Estate, Idukki located?
Surianalle Tea Estate, Idukki is in Suryanelli, India, at coordinates 10.0455, 77.2072, at an elevation of about 1469 metres.
Who operates Surianalle Tea Estate, Idukki?
Surianalle Tea Estate, Idukki is operated by Harrisons Malayalam Ltd., according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Surianalle Tea Estate, Idukki produce?
Surianalle Tea Estate, Idukki is recorded as producing black tea.
What certifications does Surianalle Tea Estate, Idukki hold?
Surianalle Tea Estate, Idukki is recorded as holding the following certification(s): Ethical Tea Partnership.
How much rain does Surianalle Tea Estate, Idukki receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 2,210 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in May (402 mm).
How does Surianalle Tea Estate, Idukki compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Surianalle Tea Estate, Idukki recorded 2,210 mm in 2025, 7% more rain than the 2,063 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].
