In short: Coonoor Tea Estate is a black tea producer in the Yedapalli region of India, operated by Matheson Bonsanquet Enterprises Pvt. Ltd. and certified by the Ethical Tea Partnership.
Coonoor Tea Estate is a black tea producer located in the Yedapalli region of India, at an elevation of 1,802 metres. The estate is operated by Matheson Bonsanquet Enterprises Pvt. Ltd. and holds certification from the Ethical Tea Partnership. No buyer relationships are currently recorded in public supply-chain data.
Terroir & Climate
At 1,802 metres, Coonoor Tea Estate occupies a high-elevation site in southern India. Estates at this altitude typically experience cooler temperatures and greater diurnal variation than those on lower slopes, conditions that generally slow leaf development and can contribute to more concentrated flavour compounds in the plucked material. The elevation and latitude tend to produce a growing environment where mist and cloud cover are common, moderating direct sunlight and influencing photosynthesis rates.
High-altitude sites in this region often benefit from well-distributed rainfall and free-draining soils, though microclimatic variation between valleys and ridges can be significant. The cooler nights typical of this elevation generally favour the retention of volatile aromatics in the leaf. These environmental factors combine to shape the character of tea produced, though specific outcomes depend on cultivar selection, plucking standards, and processing protocols employed at the estate.
Tea Produced
Coonoor Tea Estate produces black tea. High-elevation estates in southern India typically yield teas with bright, brisk liquors and a balance of body and astringency. The slower leaf maturation common at altitudes above 2,000 metres often allows for the development of more nuanced flavour profiles, with some estates in this elevation band producing teas that exhibit floral or fruity notes alongside the malty, robust character associated with Indian orthodox blacks. Cup quality varies with season, flush, and manufacturing technique, and specific tasting attributes for Coonoor's output would depend on those variables.
Operator
The estate is operated by Matheson Bonsanquet Enterprises Pvt. Ltd., which also operates at least one other tea estate recorded in this directory. The presence of multiple properties under common management can indicate economies of scale in procurement, processing infrastructure, and market access, though the specific operational structure and commercial strategy of the group are not detailed in available records.
Certifications & Ethics
Coonoor Tea Estate is certified by the Ethical Tea Partnership, a multi-stakeholder initiative that requires member estates to meet standards on labour rights, health and safety, and environmental stewardship. ETP certification involves regular monitoring and improvement plans, offering buyers a degree of assurance on working conditions and social compliance. For workers, the framework is intended to support safer employment and grievance mechanisms, though the practical impact of certification can vary with the rigour of local implementation and audit cycles.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Coonoor Tea Estate lies at 11.3592, 76.8354 in Yedapalli, India. Its 1802 m elevation is the 27th highest of 250 estates we map in India. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Glenworth Tea Estate — 6.1 km away · The Nilgiris
- Tea Studio — 6.4 km away · Kattabettu
- Burnside Tea Estate — 7.0 km away · Tamil Nadu
- Havukal Estate — 7.5 km away · Kotagiri
- Kotada Tea Estate — 7.5 km away · Kotagiri
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Coonoor Tea Estate
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Coonoor Tea Estate (1,802 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Coonoor Tea Estate recorded 1,467 mm in 2025, 9% less than the 1,608 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHANGOI | 124- Cheborge, Kenya | 1,803 m | 1,021 mm | 25.1 °C |
| Yellapatty Tea Estate | Dist. Kerala, India | 1,805 m | 2,094 mm | 20.9 °C |
| Kenya Tea Development Agency, Eberege | Kisii, Kenya | 1,798 m | 1,371 mm | 24.3 °C |
| Uganda Tea Development Agency Ltd, Igara | Central, Uganda | 1,808 m | 1,396 mm | 23.1 °C |
| Jun Chiyabari Tea Garden | Dhankuta Municipality Ward No 1, Nepal | 1,786 m | 2,160 mm | 19.4 °C |
Coonoor Tea Estate Compared with India
In India, Coonoor Tea Estate is drier than 95% of the others by 2025 rainfall; higher than 90% of the others by elevation; cooler than 88% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Coonoor 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 | Coonoor Tea Estate | Country median | Country range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 1,802 m | 126 m | 6 to 2,299 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 1,467 mm | 2,778 mm | 745 to 4,774 mm |
| Mean daily high | 20.1 °C | 28.3 °C | 16.9 to 34.5 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 13.3 °C | 19.3 °C | 9.3 to 24.2 °C |
Observed Climate at Coonoor Tea Estate (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Coonoor Tea Estate’s coordinates recorded 1,467 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was May (290 mm) and the driest was February (3 mm). Daytime highs averaged 20.1 °C and overnight lows 13.3 °C over the year; May was the warmest month and December the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 1,467 mm |
| Wettest month | May (290 mm) |
| Driest month | February (3 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 20.1 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 13.3 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Coonoor Tea Estate located?
Coonoor Tea Estate is in Yedapalli, India, at coordinates 11.3592, 76.8354, at an elevation of about 1802 metres.
Who operates Coonoor Tea Estate?
Coonoor Tea Estate is operated by Matheson Bonsanquet Enterprises Pvt. Ltd., according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Coonoor Tea Estate produce?
Coonoor Tea Estate is recorded as producing black tea.
What certifications does Coonoor Tea Estate hold?
Coonoor Tea Estate is recorded as holding the following certification(s): Ethical Tea Partnership.
How much rain does Coonoor Tea Estate receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 1,467 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in May (290 mm).
How does Coonoor Tea Estate compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Coonoor Tea Estate recorded 1,467 mm in 2025, 9% less rain than the 1,608 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].
