In short: Sotik Highlands Tea Estate, Kelunet is a black tea producer in the Bomet region of Kenya, operating at an elevation of 1,803 metres.
Sotik Highlands Tea Estate, Kelunet is a tea-growing operation in the Bomet region of Kenya, situated at an elevation of 1,803 metres above sea level. The estate is operated under the name Sotik Highlands Tea Estate, Kelunet and is recorded as producing black tea. No verified buyers or supply relationships are currently documented in available trade records.
Terroir & Climate
At 1,803 metres, this estate occupies a high-altitude position within Kenya's tea-growing belt. Estates at similar elevations in this part of the Rift Valley typically experience cooler temperatures and a more pronounced diurnal range than lower-altitude counterparts, conditions that tend to slow leaf growth and can contribute to greater biochemical complexity in the harvested shoot. The Bomet region, situated to the south-west of the main Kericho growing area, generally benefits from the bimodal rainfall pattern characteristic of Kenya's highlands, with long rains typically falling between March and May and shorter rains from October to December.
The combination of altitude, latitude close to the equator, and volcanic soils common to this region tends to favour year-round cultivation, though peak growth cycles generally align with the rainy seasons. Cooler nights at this elevation often slow respiration in the tea plant, allowing the retention of certain amino acids and polyphenols that can influence the character of the processed leaf. However, specific soil composition, microclimate, and agronomic practices at this estate are not documented in available records.
Tea Produced
Sotik Highlands Tea Estate, Kelunet produces black tea. Kenyan black teas from high-altitude estates in the Bomet and wider Rift Valley area are generally known for brisk, bright liquors with good colour and a clean astringency. Teas grown at elevations above 1,800 metres often exhibit a more rounded mouthfeel and nuanced aromatics than those from lower sites, though cup character ultimately depends on clone selection, plucking standards, and factory processing—details not verified for this estate. Kenyan orthodox and CTC blacks from similar terroirs typically find favour in blending for their body and consistency, though the specific processing method employed at Kelunet is not recorded.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Sotik Highlands Tea Estate, Kelunet lies at -0.6907, 35.1111 in Bomet, Kenya. Its 1803 m elevation is the joint 8th highest of 9 estates we map in Bomet. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- CHANGOI — under 1 km away · 124- Cheborge
- Sotik Highlands Tea Estate, Mettarora — under 1 km away
- Arroket Tea Estate — under 1 km away · Sotik
- Sasini Plc., Kipkebe Tea Factory — 8.1 km away · Kericho
- Evergreen Tea Factory Ltd (Egtf), Manaret — 14 km away
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Sotik Highlands Tea Estate, Kelunet
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Sotik Highlands Tea Estate, Kelunet (1,803 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Sotik Highlands Tea Estate, Kelunet recorded 1,021 mm in 2025, 35% less than the 1,577 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coonoor Tea Estate | Yedapalli, India | 1,802 m | 1,467 mm | 20.1 °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 |
| Momul Tea Factory | Kaplelwo, Kenya | 1,811 m | 1,558 mm | 24.7 °C |
Sotik Highlands Tea Estate, Kelunet Compared with Bomet
In Bomet, Sotik Highlands Tea Estate, Kelunet is drier than 62% of the others by 2025 rainfall; the lowest of the 9 estates by elevation; warmer than 88% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Sotik Highlands Tea Estate, Kelunet against the 8 other estates we map in Bomet, so you can see whether it is typical for its region or an outlier.
| Measure | Sotik Highlands Tea Estate, Kelunet | Region median | Region range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 1,803 m | 1,947 m | 1,803 to 2,244 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 1,021 mm | 1,080 mm | 921 to 1,755 mm |
| Mean daily high | 25.1 °C | 24.0 °C | 21.4 to 25.1 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 12.9 °C | 12.7 °C | 9.8 to 12.9 °C |
Observed Climate at Sotik Highlands Tea Estate, Kelunet (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Sotik Highlands Tea Estate, Kelunet’s coordinates recorded 1,021 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was March (169 mm) and the driest was February (12 mm). Daytime highs averaged 25.1 °C and overnight lows 12.9 °C over the year; February was the warmest month and July the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 1,021 mm |
| Wettest month | March (169 mm) |
| Driest month | February (12 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 25.1 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 12.9 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Sotik Highlands Tea Estate, Kelunet located?
Sotik Highlands Tea Estate, Kelunet is in Bomet, Kenya, at coordinates -0.6907, 35.1111, at an elevation of about 1803 metres.
Who operates Sotik Highlands Tea Estate, Kelunet?
Sotik Highlands Tea Estate, Kelunet is operated by Sotik Highlands Tea Estate, Kelunet, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Sotik Highlands Tea Estate, Kelunet produce?
Sotik Highlands Tea Estate, Kelunet is recorded as producing black tea.
How much rain does Sotik Highlands Tea Estate, Kelunet receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 1,021 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in March (169 mm).
How does Sotik Highlands Tea Estate, Kelunet compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Sotik Highlands Tea Estate, Kelunet recorded 1,021 mm in 2025, 35% less rain than the 1,577 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].
