In short: Litein Chelal Tea Company Ltd. is a black tea estate in Kenya's C23 region, operated by Kenya Tea Development Agency and certified by the Ethical Tea Partnership.
Litein Chelal Tea Company Ltd. is a black tea estate located in the C23 region of Kenya, at an elevation of 1,937 metres. The estate is operated by Kenya Tea Development Agency, a major aggregator and processor of smallholder tea in East Africa. No public buyer relationships are currently recorded for this estate.
Terroir & Climate
At 1,937 metres above sea level, Litein Chelal sits within the mid-to-high elevation band typical of Kenya's productive tea zones. Estates at this altitude generally benefit from moderate temperatures and diurnal variation that can slow leaf maturation, potentially concentrating flavour compounds and maintaining acidity. The C23 region lies in the Rift Valley highlands, where volcanic soils and reliable rainfall patterns tend to support year-round cultivation, though flush intensity typically peaks after the long rains.
This elevation and latitude combination—just south of the equator—often results in a growing environment with consistent day-length and temperatures moderated by altitude. Estates in this setting usually experience less extreme seasonal dormancy than their counterparts in more temperate zones, allowing for continuous if uneven cropping. The interplay of altitude, latitude, and local microclimate generally shapes leaf chemistry in favour of briskness and colour in the finished black tea.
Tea Produced
Litein Chelal produces black tea, the dominant style across Kenya's commercial estates. Teas from estates in the C23 region at similar elevations tend to yield a bright, coppery liquor with the brisk, malty astringency characteristic of high-grown Kenyan leaf. Cup profiles from this altitude band often display a balance of body and brightness, with a clean finish that suits blending as well as single-origin offerings. The manufacturing standards maintained under KTDA oversight generally ensure consistency in grade and appearance, though specific sensory attributes will vary by season and processing batch.
Operator
Kenya Tea Development Agency is the country's leading smallholder tea processor, managing factory units that aggregate, manufacture, and market leaf on behalf of thousands of growers. KTDA-operated factories supply both the Mombasa auction and direct-contract channels, serving international blenders and packers. In addition to Litein Chelal, the agency operates six other estates recorded in this directory, reflecting its wide geographic and organisational footprint across Kenya's tea belt.
Certifications & Ethics
Litein Chelal holds certification from the Ethical Tea Partnership, a multi-stakeholder initiative that audits labour practices, environmental stewardship, and community welfare on member estates. ETP certification signals to buyers that the estate has undergone independent monitoring against a set of social and environmental criteria, including worker safety, fair wages, and responsible agrochemical use. For procurement teams under sustainability mandates, ETP membership offers a recognised baseline of due diligence in the supply chain.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Litein Chelal Tea Company Ltd. lies at -0.5828, 35.1908 in C23, Kenya. Its 1937 m elevation is the joint 111th highest of 186 estates we map in Kenya. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- KONOITO — under 1 km away · LITEIN
- TEA-MAX FRESH — under 1 km away · LITEIN
- Kapset Tea Factory — 5.5 km away · Chepseon Boito-Kapset Rd Kipkelion
- Evergreen Tea Factory Ltd (Egtf), Manaret — 6.6 km away · Bomet
- Kipchimchim Group, Tet Tea Factory Co. Ltd, Laibei — 8.9 km away · Kericho
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Litein Chelal Tea Company Ltd.
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Litein Chelal Tea Company Ltd. (1,937 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Litein Chelal Tea Company Ltd. recorded 1,208 mm in 2025, 43% less than the 2,122 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orange Valley Tea Estate | Darjeeling, India | 1,936 m | 2,294 mm | 18.0 °C |
| Thiashola Tea Estate | Tamil Nadu, India | 1,941 m | 2,112 mm | 19.9 °C |
| Ikumbi Tea Factory | Kaharati-kangari Rd, Kenya | 1,950 m | 1,398 mm | 21.5 °C |
| Udapussellawa Plantations, Court Lodge | Central Province, Sri Lanka | 1,924 m | 2,798 mm | 19.1 °C |
| Gisakura Tea Estate | West, Rwanda | 1,953 m | 2,008 mm | 21.1 °C |
Litein Chelal Tea Company Ltd. Compared with Kenya
In Kenya, Litein Chelal Tea Company Ltd. is drier than 70% of the others by 2025 rainfall; lower than 61% of the others by elevation; warmer than 76% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Litein Chelal Tea Company Ltd. against the 185 other estates we map in Kenya, so you can see whether it is typical for its country or an outlier.
| Measure | Litein Chelal Tea Company Ltd. | Country median | Country range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 1,937 m | 1,990 m | 821 to 2,790 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 1,208 mm | 1,518 mm | 754 to 2,070 mm |
| Mean daily high | 24.5 °C | 22.4 °C | 16.8 to 30.2 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 12.5 °C | 12.0 °C | 8.5 to 19.8 °C |
Observed Climate at Litein Chelal Tea Company Ltd. (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Litein Chelal Tea Company Ltd.’s coordinates recorded 1,208 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was April (186 mm) and the driest was February (21 mm). Daytime highs averaged 24.5 °C and overnight lows 12.5 °C over the year; February was the warmest month and July the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 1,208 mm |
| Wettest month | April (186 mm) |
| Driest month | February (21 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 24.5 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 12.5 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Litein Chelal Tea Company Ltd. located?
Litein Chelal Tea Company Ltd. is in C23, Kenya, at coordinates -0.5828, 35.1908, at an elevation of about 1937 metres.
Who operates Litein Chelal Tea Company Ltd.?
Litein Chelal Tea Company Ltd. is operated by Kenya Tea Development Agency, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Litein Chelal Tea Company Ltd. produce?
Litein Chelal Tea Company Ltd. is recorded as producing black tea.
What certifications does Litein Chelal Tea Company Ltd. hold?
Litein Chelal Tea Company Ltd. is recorded as holding the following certification(s): Ethical Tea Partnership.
How much rain does Litein Chelal Tea Company Ltd. receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 1,208 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in April (186 mm).
How does Litein Chelal Tea Company Ltd. compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Litein Chelal Tea Company Ltd. recorded 1,208 mm in 2025, 43% less rain than the 2,122 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].
