KAPCHORUA

Kapchorua is a black tea estate located in the Nandi Hills of Kenya, positioned at 2,113 metres above sea level. The estate is operated by Williamson Tea Kenya PLC, a significant presence in the country's tea sector. No specific buyers have been publicly recorded for Kapchorua's production.

Terroir & Climate

At 2,113 metres, Kapchorua occupies a high-altitude position that typically subjects tea to cooler temperatures and greater diurnal variation than lower-elevation estates. Estates at this elevation in Kenya's Rift Valley highlands generally experience slower, more measured growth cycles, which tend to allow more complex biochemical development in the leaf. The Nandi Hills area receives substantial rainfall distributed across two main seasons, and cloud cover at this altitude often moderates solar intensity during peak growing months.

The equatorial latitude near zero degrees means Kapchorua experiences relatively consistent day length throughout the year, a characteristic that often supports year-round cropping with less dramatic dormancy than in higher-latitude tea regions. Soils in the Nandi Hills are generally volcanic in origin, typically offering good drainage and mineral content. These conditions, combined with altitude, tend to favour the production of teas with body and brightness, though specific agronomic practices and clonal material also play determining roles.

Tea Produced

Kapchorua produces black tea, the dominant type manufactured across Kenya's high-altitude estates. Teas from the Nandi Hills at this elevation typically yield a brisk, copper-coloured liquor with the bright, clean character for which Kenyan CTC production is internationally recognised. Estates in this region often produce leaf suited to blending for colour and strength, though cup profile depends heavily on processing parameters, plucking standards, and seasonal variation. The altitude generally supports teas with good body and a crisp astringency.

Operator

Kapchorua is operated by Williamson Tea Kenya PLC, one of Kenya's established tea producers. The company operates two other estates recorded in this directory, indicating a multi-site presence in the country's tea sector. Williamson Tea Kenya is part of the wider Williamson Tea group, which has holdings in East Africa and a history extending back to the mid-20th century.

Location & Neighbouring Estates

KAPCHORUA lies at 0.0944, 35.2788 in Nandi Hills, Kenya. Its 2113 m elevation is the 2nd highest of 5 estates we map in Nandi Hills. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:

• Eastern Produce Of Kenya, Kipkoimet Tea Factory- Sitoi — 3.0 km away · Nandi
• Eastern Produce Of Kenya, Kepchomo Tea Factory — 5.4 km away · Nandi
• Eastern Produce Of Kenya, Siret Tea Factory — 5.6 km away · Nandi
• Kapsumbeiywa — 6.3 km away · Kapsumbeiywo Road
• TINDERET — 10.0 km away · Songhor

Estates at a Similar Altitude to KAPCHORUA

Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match KAPCHORUA (2,113 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. KAPCHORUA recorded 1,973 mm in 2025, within 5% of the 1,915 mm average across these estates, so altitude explains most of its rainfall.

Estate	Where	Elevation	Rain 2025	Mean high
Lipton Teas and Infusions Kenya, Chagaik Tea Factory	Kericho, Kenya	2,114 m	1,867 mm	22.2 °C
NGERE	Thika, Kenya	2,111 m	1,585 mm	19.8 °C
TEZA	Muramvya, Burundi	2,118 m	1,533 mm	20.1 °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 Compared with Nandi Hills

In Nandi Hills, KAPCHORUA is the wettest of the 5 estates by 2025 rainfall; higher than 75% of the others by elevation; cooler than 75% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets KAPCHORUA against the 4 other estates we map in Nandi Hills, so you can see whether it is typical for its region or an outlier.

Measure	KAPCHORUA	Region median	Region range
Elevation	2,113 m	2,038 m	1,987 to 2,132 m
Annual rainfall (2025)	1,973 mm	1,676 mm	1,660 to 1,693 mm
Mean daily high	22.0 °C	22.2 °C	21.6 to 22.8 °C
Mean overnight low	11.1 °C	11.3 °C	10.8 to 12.1 °C

Observed Climate at KAPCHORUA (2025)

ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for KAPCHORUA’s coordinates recorded 1,973 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was April (300 mm) and the driest was February (18 mm). Daytime highs averaged 22.0 °C and overnight lows 11.1 °C over the year; February was the warmest month and August the coolest.

Metric	2025 value
Annual precipitation	1,973 mm
Wettest month	April (300 mm)
Driest month	February (18 mm)
Mean daily high	22.0 °C
Mean overnight low	11.1 °C

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is KAPCHORUA located?

KAPCHORUA is in Nandi Hills, Kenya, at coordinates 0.0944, 35.2788, at an elevation of about 2113 metres.

Who operates KAPCHORUA?

KAPCHORUA is operated by Williamson Tea Kenya PLC, according to public supply-chain records.

What type of tea does KAPCHORUA produce?

KAPCHORUA is recorded as producing black tea.

How much rain does KAPCHORUA receive?

ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 1,973 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in April (300 mm).

How does KAPCHORUA compare with estates at a similar elevation?

Estates at a similar elevation recorded about 1,915 mm of rain in 2025, close to the 1,973 mm at KAPCHORUA.

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].