In short: Kapset Tea Factory is a black tea estate in the Chepseon Boito-Kapset Rd Kipkelion region of Kenya, operated by Kenya Tea Development Agency at an elevation of 1,935 metres.
Kapset Tea Factory is a black tea estate located in the Chepseon Boito-Kapset Rd Kipkelion region of Kenya, at an elevation of 1,935 metres. The estate is operated by Kenya Tea Development Agency, the national smallholder co-operative body responsible for managing tea factories and marketing services on behalf of its member growers. No buyer relationships for Kapset have been recorded in publicly available procurement data.
Terroir & Climate
At 1,935 metres, Kapset sits within the elevated growing zones of Kenya's western highlands, where altitude and latitude combine to produce conditions generally associated with slower leaf maturation. Estates at similar elevations in this part of the Rift Valley typically experience moderate daytime temperatures and cool nights, factors that tend to encourage the development of more complex biochemical profiles in the leaf. The region's position near the equator means that daylight hours remain relatively constant throughout the year, while rainfall patterns typically follow the bimodal distribution common to Kenya's tea-growing belt.
The interplay of altitude and climate in this zone generally favours a growing cycle that permits multiple flush periods annually, though the intensity and character of each flush tends to vary with local precipitation and temperature shifts. Soils in the western Kenyan highlands are often volcanic in origin, and estates at this elevation typically benefit from well-drained substrates that support steady vegetative growth without waterlogging during the wetter months.
Tea Produced
Kapset produces black tea. Estates in Kenya's western highlands at comparable elevations generally yield teas with brisk, bright liquors and a crisp astringency characteristic of high-grown African leaf. The cup profile typical of this altitude and region tends toward copper-red infusions with medium to full body, often displaying malty or slightly floral notes, though individual batch character varies with plucking standards, processing, and seasonal conditions. Black teas from this elevation are often valued for blending, where their brightness and colour can anchor breakfast-style blends.
Operator
Kenya Tea Development Agency is the operator of Kapset Tea Factory. KTDA functions as the managing body for smallholder tea production across Kenya, coordinating factory operations, quality standards, and marketing for its member growers. The agency operates a network of factories throughout the country; in addition to Kapset, six other estates in our directory are recorded as being managed by KTDA, reflecting its central role in the Kenyan tea sector.
Certifications & Ethics
Kapset Tea Factory holds certification from the Ethical Tea Partnership, a multi-stakeholder initiative that sets standards for labour rights, environmental stewardship, and farm management across global tea supply chains. ETP certification indicates that the estate has undergone audit against the partnership's criteria, which cover issues including worker welfare, safe working conditions, and responsible pesticide use. For buyers, ETP membership offers a recognised benchmark for due diligence; for workers and surrounding communities, it is intended to support improvements in working conditions and environmental practices.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Kapset Tea Factory lies at -0.5676, 35.2376 in Chepseon Boito-Kapset Rd Kipkelion, Kenya. Its 1935 m elevation is the 114th highest of 186 estates we map in Kenya. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Litein Chelal Tea Company Ltd. — 5.5 km away · C23
- KONOITO — 5.5 km away · LITEIN
- TEA-MAX FRESH — 5.5 km away · LITEIN
- Kipchimchim Group, Tet Tea Factory Co. Ltd, Laibei — 6.1 km away · Kericho
- BOITO — 6.8 km away · Kenya
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Kapset Tea Factory
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Kapset Tea Factory (1,935 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Kapset Tea Factory recorded 1,535 mm in 2025, 23% less than the 1,991 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 |
| Kodanad Tea Estate | Gandhi nagar, India | 1,929 m | 1,459 mm | 19.9 °C |
| Udapussellawa Plantations, Court Lodge | Central Province, Sri Lanka | 1,924 m | 2,798 mm | 19.1 °C |
| Ikumbi Tea Factory | Kaharati-kangari Rd, Kenya | 1,950 m | 1,398 mm | 21.5 °C |
| Gisakura Tea Estate | West, Rwanda | 1,953 m | 2,008 mm | 21.1 °C |
Kapset Tea Factory Compared with Kenya
In Kenya, Kapset Tea Factory is wetter than 52% of the others by 2025 rainfall; lower than 61% of the others by elevation; warmer than 64% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Kapset Tea Factory against the 185 other estates we map in Kenya, so you can see whether it is typical for its country or an outlier.
| Measure | Kapset Tea Factory | Country median | Country range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 1,935 m | 1,990 m | 821 to 2,790 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 1,535 mm | 1,518 mm | 754 to 2,070 mm |
| Mean daily high | 23.4 °C | 22.4 °C | 16.8 to 30.2 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 12.1 °C | 12.0 °C | 8.5 to 19.8 °C |
Observed Climate at Kapset Tea Factory (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Kapset Tea Factory’s coordinates recorded 1,535 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was October (263 mm) and the driest was February (23 mm). Daytime highs averaged 23.4 °C and overnight lows 12.1 °C over the year; February was the warmest month and July the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 1,535 mm |
| Wettest month | October (263 mm) |
| Driest month | February (23 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 23.4 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 12.1 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Kapset Tea Factory located?
Kapset Tea Factory is in Chepseon Boito-Kapset Rd Kipkelion, Kenya, at coordinates -0.5676, 35.2376, at an elevation of about 1935 metres.
Who operates Kapset Tea Factory?
Kapset Tea Factory is operated by Kenya Tea Development Agency, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Kapset Tea Factory produce?
Kapset Tea Factory is recorded as producing black tea.
What certifications does Kapset Tea Factory hold?
Kapset Tea Factory is recorded as holding the following certification(s): Ethical Tea Partnership.
How much rain does Kapset Tea Factory receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 1,535 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in October (263 mm).
How does Kapset Tea Factory compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Kapset Tea Factory recorded 1,535 mm in 2025, 23% less rain than the 1,991 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].
