In short: Desam Tea Estate is a black tea producer in Tairai Gaon, India, operated by Andrew Yule & Co Ltd.
Desam Tea Estate is a black tea producer located in Tairai Gaon, India, at an altitude of 120 metres. The estate is operated by Andrew Yule & Co Ltd., a company with a presence in the Indian tea sector. The estate holds certification from the Ethical Tea Partnership.
Terroir & Climate
At 120 metres above sea level and situated at approximately 27°N latitude, Desam occupies low-elevation terrain in northeastern India. Estates at this altitude typically experience warmer temperatures and higher humidity than their high-grown counterparts, conditions that generally support vigorous vegetative growth and a faster plucking cycle throughout much of the year. The tropical to subtropical climate characteristic of this latitude tends to promote year-round cultivation, though monsoon patterns typically shape distinct seasonal flushes.
Low-elevation gardens in this region often benefit from deep alluvial soils and consistent moisture, factors that can support high yields. The warmer growing conditions at this altitude generally favour robust leaf development, though the rapid growth cycle tends to produce teas with different characteristics than those from cooler, higher-altitude estates. Seasonal variation in temperature and rainfall typically influences the concentration of compounds in the leaf, with the character of the tea shifting between flush periods.
Tea Produced
Desam produces black tea. Estates at this elevation in northeastern India typically yield teas with a full body and pronounced malty character. The warmer growing conditions at 120 metres generally favour the development of bold, brisk liquors rather than the more delicate, nuanced profiles associated with high-grown teas. Black teas from low-elevation gardens in this region often exhibit strong, assertive flavours with good colour and strength, characteristics that tend to make them well-suited to blending and to markets where robustness is valued.
Operator
Andrew Yule & Co Ltd. operates Desam Tea Estate. The company manages at least two other tea estates recorded in industry directories, indicating a multi-estate operation within the Indian tea sector.
Certifications & Ethics
Desam holds certification from the Ethical Tea Partnership, an organization that works with tea producers to improve working conditions and environmental practices. For buyers, this certification provides third-party assurance that the estate is subject to regular assessments against the ETP's labour, social, and environmental standards, which address issues including wages, working hours, health and safety, and pesticide management. Participation in the scheme typically involves estate-level action plans and ongoing monitoring.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Desam Tea Estate lies at 27.2683, 95.2804 in Tairai Gaon, India. Its 120 m elevation is the joint 138th highest of 250 estates we map in India. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Langharjan Tea Estate — 4.9 km away · Naharkatia
- Namroop Tea Estate — 8.2 km away · Namrup
- Tinkong Tea Estate — 12 km away · Assam
- Bordubi Tea Estate — 15 km away · Bordubi No.1
- Borpatra Tea Estate — 15 km away · Borpatra Tea Estate
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Desam Tea Estate
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Desam Tea Estate (120 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Desam Tea Estate recorded 2,515 mm in 2025, within 5% of the 2,412 mm average across these estates, so altitude explains most of its rainfall.
| Estate | Where | Elevation | Rain 2025 | Mean high |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KDU, Matuwagalla | Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka | 120 m | 3,902 mm | 29.5 °C |
| Andaradeniya Estate, Andaradeniya | Southern Province, Sri Lanka | 120 m | 3,054 mm | 29.2 °C |
| Towkok Tea Estate | Towkok Grant No.2, India | 121 m | 2,218 mm | 27.9 °C |
| Amgoorie Tea Estate | Assam, India | 122 m | 2,573 mm | 28.4 °C |
| I \u0026 M Smith | Western Cape, South Africa | 124 m | 313 mm | 27.4 °C |
Desam Tea Estate Compared with India
In India, Desam Tea Estate is drier than 66% of the others by 2025 rainfall; lower than 55% of the others by elevation; warmer than 61% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Desam 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 | Desam Tea Estate | Country median | Country range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 120 m | 126 m | 6 to 2,299 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 2,515 mm | 2,778 mm | 745 to 4,774 mm |
| Mean daily high | 28.5 °C | 28.3 °C | 16.9 to 34.5 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 19.3 °C | 19.2 °C | 9.3 to 24.2 °C |
Observed Climate at Desam Tea Estate (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Desam Tea Estate’s coordinates recorded 2,515 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was May (442 mm) and the driest was December (7 mm). Daytime highs averaged 28.5 °C and overnight lows 19.3 °C over the year; July was the warmest month and January the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 2,515 mm |
| Wettest month | May (442 mm) |
| Driest month | December (7 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 28.5 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 19.3 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Desam Tea Estate located?
Desam Tea Estate is in Tairai Gaon, India, at coordinates 27.2683, 95.2804, at an elevation of about 120 metres.
Who operates Desam Tea Estate?
Desam Tea Estate is operated by Andrew Yule & Co Ltd., according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Desam Tea Estate produce?
Desam Tea Estate is recorded as producing black tea.
What certifications does Desam Tea Estate hold?
Desam Tea Estate is recorded as holding the following certification(s): Ethical Tea Partnership.
How much rain does Desam Tea Estate receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 2,515 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in May (442 mm).
How does Desam Tea Estate compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Estates at a similar elevation recorded about 2,412 mm of rain in 2025, close to the 2,515 mm at Desam Tea Estate.
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].
