In short: Sotik Highlands Tea Estate, Mettarora is a black tea producer located in the Bomet region of Kenya at an elevation of 1,803 metres.
Sotik Highlands Tea Estate, Mettarora is a tea estate located in the Bomet region of Kenya, operating at an elevation of 1,803 metres above sea level. The estate is managed by Sotik Highlands Tea Estate, Mettarora, and produces black tea. No corporate buyers are currently recorded in supply‑chain data for this estate.
Terroir & Climate
At 1,803 metres elevation and situated near the equator at latitude −0.69°, the estate occupies terrain in Kenya's western highlands where altitudes in this range typically bring cooler ambient temperatures and greater diurnal variation than lower‑lying zones. These conditions generally slow vegetative growth, often allowing more time for biochemical development in the leaf before plucking. Estates at similar elevations in the region tend to experience reliable rainfall distributed across two seasons, though local microclimates and topography can introduce significant variation.
The Bomet region lies within Kenya's broader highland tea belt, where volcanic soils and equatorial light regimes are widespread. Temperatures at this altitude generally remain moderate year‑round, reducing heat stress on the plant while maintaining photosynthetic activity. Such environments often favour the accumulation of polyphenols and other secondary metabolites, though specific outcomes depend on clone selection, agronomic practice, and processing protocols, none of which are documented for this estate.
Tea Produced
The estate produces black tea. Kenyan black teas from highland sites at comparable elevations typically yield a brisk, full‑bodied cup with pronounced colour and astringency, characteristics that have historically made them valued components in blended products. Estates in the Bomet area generally produce leaf that processes into orthodox or CTC formats, though the specific manufacturing method employed at Sotik Highlands Tea Estate, Mettarora is not recorded. The cup profile of teas from this altitude band often shows good strength and a clean, malty character, though individual factory technique and seasonal variation play decisive roles in the final sensory outcome.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Sotik Highlands Tea Estate, Mettarora 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, Kelunet — 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, Mettarora
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Sotik Highlands Tea Estate, Mettarora (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, Mettarora 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, Mettarora Compared with Bomet
In Bomet, Sotik Highlands Tea Estate, Mettarora 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, Mettarora 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, Mettarora | 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, Mettarora (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Sotik Highlands Tea Estate, Mettarora’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, Mettarora located?
Sotik Highlands Tea Estate, Mettarora is in Bomet, Kenya, at coordinates -0.6907, 35.1111, at an elevation of about 1803 metres.
Who operates Sotik Highlands Tea Estate, Mettarora?
Sotik Highlands Tea Estate, Mettarora is operated by Sotik Highlands Tea Estate, Mettarora, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Sotik Highlands Tea Estate, Mettarora produce?
Sotik Highlands Tea Estate, Mettarora is recorded as producing black tea.
How much rain does Sotik Highlands Tea Estate, Mettarora 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, Mettarora compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Sotik Highlands Tea Estate, Mettarora 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].
