In short: Talunsantosa Tea Estate is a high-altitude tea producer in West Java, Indonesia, operated by PTPN VIII and certified by the Ethical Tea Partnership.
Talunsantosa Tea Estate is a tea-producing property in West Java, Indonesia, located at approximately 1,859 metres above sea level. The estate is operated by PTPN VIII, a state-owned Indonesian plantation company. Talunsantosa produces both black and green tea and holds certification from the Ethical Tea Partnership. No commercial buyers have been recorded in available supply-chain data.
Terroir & Climate
At 1,859 metres elevation, Talunsantosa sits well within the high-altitude band that typically characterises premium Indonesian tea production. Estates at this elevation in West Java generally experience cooler temperatures and greater diurnal variation than lowland gardens, factors that tend to slow leaf growth and encourage the accumulation of flavour compounds. The latitude of approximately 7° South places the estate firmly in the tropics, where year-round warmth is moderated by altitude and where seasonal shifts are driven more by rainfall patterns than by temperature.
West Java's volcanic soils and reliable rainfall generally provide favourable conditions for tea cultivation. High-elevation sites in this region often benefit from afternoon cloud cover and mist, which can reduce heat stress on the plant and maintain consistent soil moisture. These conditions tend to support a steady, if not rapid, growing cycle and are usually conducive to the production of both orthodox black teas and steamed or pan-fired greens.
Tea Produced
Talunsantosa produces both black and green tea. Black teas from high-altitude West Java estates typically offer a clean, brisk character with moderate body and a tendency toward mild astringency rather than heavy malt. Green teas from this region often present a vegetal freshness, though the precise style—whether Japanese-inspired steamed leaf or Chinese-style pan-fired—will vary by processing method. Estates at this elevation generally yield teas with clarity and brightness rather than the heavier, earthier notes sometimes associated with lower-altitude tropical production.
Operator
PTPN VIII (Perkebunan Nusantara VIII) is one of Indonesia's state-owned plantation enterprises, managing a portfolio of tea estates primarily in West Java. The company operates four other tea estates recorded in this directory, making it a significant landholder in the region's tea sector. As a state enterprise, PTPN VIII's operations are typically oriented toward both domestic supply and export markets, though specific buyer relationships for Talunsantosa have not been documented in available trade data.
Certifications & Ethics
Talunsantosa holds certification from the Ethical Tea Partnership (ETP), an industry body that works to improve social and environmental conditions in tea-producing regions. ETP certification involves regular audits against standards covering labour rights, health and safety, and environmental stewardship. For buyers, ETP membership signals a commitment to ongoing improvement and transparency; for workers, it provides a framework for grievance mechanisms and safer working conditions, though certification alone does not guarantee specific wage levels or employment terms.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Talunsantosa Tea Estate lies at -7.2760, 107.6926 in West Java, Indonesia. Its 1859 m elevation is the joint 1st highest of 5 estates we map in West Java. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Sedep Tea Estate — under 1 km away
- Malabar Tea Estate — 18 km away
- Dayeuh Manggung Tea Estate — 24 km away · Kabupaten Garut
- Dewata Tea Estate — 26 km away · Kab. Bandung
- Rancabali Tea Estate — 38 km away · Bandung Regency
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Talunsantosa Tea Estate
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Talunsantosa Tea Estate (1,859 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Talunsantosa Tea Estate recorded 3,309 mm in 2025, 64% more than the 2,012 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chamraj Tea Estate | Tamil Nadu, India | 1,863 m | 2,112 mm | 20.4 °C |
| Parkside Tea Estate | Coonoor, India | 1,864 m | 1,467 mm | 19.7 °C |
| Luckyland Tea Estate | Nuwara Eliya-Uda Pussellawa Rd, Sri Lanka | 1,865 m | 3,152 mm | 19.6 °C |
| Mbogo Tea Factory | Kimatkei - Mbogo Valley Rd, Kenya | 1,868 m | 2,044 mm | 23.4 °C |
| GITUGI | Othaya, Kenya | 1,850 m | 1,285 mm | 21.7 °C |
Talunsantosa Tea Estate Compared with West Java
In West Java, Talunsantosa Tea Estate is wetter than 75% of the others by 2025 rainfall; higher than 75% of the others by elevation; the coolest of the 5 estates by daytime temperature. The table sets Talunsantosa Tea Estate against the 4 other estates we map in West Java, so you can see whether it is typical for its region or an outlier.
| Measure | Talunsantosa Tea Estate | Region median | Region range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 1,859 m | 1,558 m | 1,430 to 1,859 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 3,309 mm | 2,986 mm | 2,799 to 3,309 mm |
| Mean daily high | 20.0 °C | 22.1 °C | 20.0 to 23.0 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 13.3 °C | 15.2 °C | 13.3 to 15.9 °C |
Observed Climate at Talunsantosa Tea Estate (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Talunsantosa Tea Estate’s coordinates recorded 3,309 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was November (438 mm) and the driest was July (134 mm). Daytime highs averaged 20.0 °C and overnight lows 13.3 °C over the year; May was the warmest month and July the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 3,309 mm |
| Wettest month | November (438 mm) |
| Driest month | July (134 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 20.0 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 13.3 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Talunsantosa Tea Estate located?
Talunsantosa Tea Estate is in West Java, Indonesia, at coordinates -7.2760, 107.6926, at an elevation of about 1859 metres.
Who operates Talunsantosa Tea Estate?
Talunsantosa Tea Estate is operated by Ptpn Viii, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Talunsantosa Tea Estate produce?
Talunsantosa Tea Estate is recorded as producing black and green tea.
What certifications does Talunsantosa Tea Estate hold?
Talunsantosa Tea Estate is recorded as holding the following certification(s): Ethical Tea Partnership.
How much rain does Talunsantosa Tea Estate receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 3,309 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in November (438 mm).
How does Talunsantosa Tea Estate compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Talunsantosa Tea Estate recorded 3,309 mm in 2025, 64% more rain than the 2,012 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].
