Mataara Tea Factory

Mataara Tea Factory is a black tea producer located in the Gachege region of Kenya, operating at an altitude of 2,106 metres. The factory is managed by the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA), the co-operative organisation that oversees smallholder tea production across much of Kenya's tea-growing regions. Mataara is certified by the Ethical Tea Partnership, though its specific client base is not publicly recorded.

Terroir & Climate

At 2,106 metres above sea level, Mataara Tea Factory sits within Kenya's high-altitude tea belt, where cooler temperatures and intense equatorial sunlight tend to slow leaf growth and concentrate flavour compounds. Estates at this elevation in Kenya generally experience a more moderate diurnal temperature range than lower-lying counterparts, with frequent cloud cover and consistent rainfall during the main growing seasons. These conditions typically favour the development of bright, brisk character in the leaf.

The Gachege region, positioned close to the equator, benefits from two distinct wet seasons that generally support year-round cropping, though peak flush periods tend to occur following the long rains. Soils in Kenya's central highlands are often volcanic in origin, typically well-drained and rich in minerals, characteristics that tend to support vigorous growth and contribute to the clean, assertive cup profile for which Kenyan teas are known.

Tea Produced

Mataara Tea Factory produces black tea. Kenyan teas from estates at this altitude typically yield a bright, coppery liquor with a brisk, astringent character and clean finish. The cup profile common to this region often features malty or slightly fruity notes, with the pronounced body and colour that make Kenyan black teas a staple in blends for both loose-leaf and teabag markets. The high-grown character generally delivers the strength and brightness sought by buyers for breakfast-style blends.

Operator

The Kenya Tea Development Agency is the central management body for smallholder tea farmers across Kenya, coordinating production, processing, and marketing for dozens of member-owned factories. KTDA-operated factories typically aggregate leaf from surrounding smallholdings rather than cultivating tea on estate-owned land. Six other KTDA-managed factories are recorded in this directory, reflecting the agency's central role in Kenya's tea supply chain and its influence on the quality and traceability standards observed across the smallholder sector.

Certifications & Ethics

Mataara Tea Factory holds certification from the Ethical Tea Partnership, a multi-stakeholder initiative that works to improve labour and environmental standards across tea supply chains. ETP certification indicates that the factory has undergone independent monitoring against the organisation's code of conduct, covering areas such as worker welfare, wages, health and safety, and responsible pesticide use. For buyers, this certification offers a degree of assurance regarding social and environmental due diligence; for workers and smallholder suppliers, it is intended to support improved conditions and grievance mechanisms.

Location & Neighbouring Estates

Mataara Tea Factory lies at -0.8611, 36.7990 in Gachege, Kenya. Its 2106 m elevation is the 20th highest of 186 estates we map in Kenya. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:

• NGERE — 2.8 km away · Thika
• GACHEGE — 5.4 km away · Kenya
• Kenya Tea Development Agency, Ndarugu — 7.1 km away · Kiambu
• Gacharage Tea Factory — 15 km away · Gacharage
• Ikumbi Tea Factory — 15 km away · Kaharati-kangari Rd

Estates at a Similar Altitude to Mataara Tea Factory

Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Mataara Tea Factory (2,106 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Mataara Tea Factory recorded 1,455 mm in 2025, 24% less than the 1,923 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
Ndaraweta Tea Factory Ltd	Bomet, Kenya	2,107 m	1,519 mm	22.0 °C
Barnesbeg Tea Estate	Darjeeling, India	2,100 m	2,294 mm	16.9 °C
Potong Tea Garden	Darjeeling, India	2,100 m	2,294 mm	16.9 °C
KAPCHORUA	Nandi Hills, Kenya	2,113 m	1,973 mm	22.0 °C
TEZA	Muramvya, Burundi	2,118 m	1,533 mm	20.1 °C

Mataara Tea Factory Compared with Kenya

In Kenya, Mataara Tea Factory is drier than 54% of the others by 2025 rainfall; higher than 90% of the others by elevation; cooler than 98% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Mataara 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	Mataara Tea Factory	Country median	Country range
Elevation	2,106 m	1,989 m	821 to 2,790 m
Annual rainfall (2025)	1,455 mm	1,518 mm	754 to 2,070 mm
Mean daily high	19.8 °C	22.4 °C	16.8 to 30.2 °C
Mean overnight low	11.0 °C	12.0 °C	8.5 to 19.8 °C

Observed Climate at Mataara Tea Factory (2025)

ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Mataara Tea Factory’s coordinates recorded 1,455 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was October (207 mm) and the driest was February (13 mm). Daytime highs averaged 19.8 °C and overnight lows 11.0 °C over the year; March was the warmest month and August the coolest.

Metric	2025 value
Annual precipitation	1,455 mm
Wettest month	October (207 mm)
Driest month	February (13 mm)
Mean daily high	19.8 °C
Mean overnight low	11.0 °C

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Mataara Tea Factory located?

Mataara Tea Factory is in Gachege, Kenya, at coordinates -0.8611, 36.7990, at an elevation of about 2106 metres.

Who operates Mataara Tea Factory?

Mataara Tea Factory is operated by Kenya Tea Development Agency, according to public supply-chain records.

What type of tea does Mataara Tea Factory produce?

Mataara Tea Factory is recorded as producing black tea.

What certifications does Mataara Tea Factory hold?

Mataara Tea Factory is recorded as holding the following certification(s): Ethical Tea Partnership.

How much rain does Mataara Tea Factory receive?

ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 1,455 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in October (207 mm).

How does Mataara Tea Factory compare with estates at a similar elevation?

Mataara Tea Factory recorded 1,455 mm in 2025, 24% less rain than the 1,923 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].