In short: Theta Tea Factory is a Kenyan black tea estate operated by the Kenya Tea Development Agency at an altitude of 1,670 metres.
Theta Tea Factory is a black tea estate located in Kenya, at an altitude of 1,670 metres. The estate is operated by the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA), a producer-owned organisation that manages smallholder tea across the country. No corporate buyers have been recorded in available supply chain data for this estate.
Terroir & Climate
At 1,670 metres above sea level, Theta Tea Factory sits within a mid-elevation band that typically experiences moderate diurnal temperature variation and reliable rainfall distribution. Estates at this altitude in Kenya generally benefit from cooler nights and warm days, conditions that tend to slow leaf maturation and can encourage the development of flavour compounds in the harvested flush.
Kenya's equatorial position means that growing seasons are often year-round, though rainfall patterns can create distinct peaks in production. Mid-altitude estates of this kind typically produce leaf with good body and briskness, characteristics often associated with the well-drained, volcanic soils common to tea-growing districts in the region.
Tea Produced
Theta Tea Factory produces black tea. Kenyan black teas from mid-elevation estates generally yield a bright, coppery liquor with brisk astringency and full body. The cup profile from estates at this altitude often features malty or slightly fruity notes, with a clean finish. Such teas are typically well-suited to blending and are valued in both packet tea and foodservice applications for their strength and colour.
Operator
The Kenya Tea Development Agency is a smallholder-owned organisation that operates a network of tea factories across Kenya's main growing regions. KTDA manages six other estates recorded in this directory, and it plays a central role in the country's tea sector by providing processing infrastructure, extension services, and access to international markets for thousands of small-scale growers. The agency's model centres on farmer ownership and cooperative processing.
Certifications & Ethics
Theta Tea Factory holds certification from the Ethical Tea Partnership, a membership organisation that works to improve social, environmental, and economic conditions on tea estates and smallholder farms. ETP certification indicates that the estate has committed to a programme of continuous improvement across labour standards, environmental stewardship, and community engagement, with regular third-party monitoring to verify compliance with the partnership's code of conduct.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Theta Tea Factory lies at -1.2870, 36.8269 in Kenya. Its 1670 m elevation is the joint 8th highest of 11 estates we map in Kenya. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Theta Ndarugu Tea Co Ltd. — under 1 km away
- GIANCHORE — under 1 km away · Moi Avenue
- GITHAMBO — under 1 km away · Moi Avenue
- GITHONGO — under 1 km away · Moi Avenue
- KIRU — under 1 km away · Moi Avenue
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Theta Tea Factory
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Theta Tea Factory (1,670 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Theta Tea Factory recorded 769 mm in 2025, 64% less than the 2,130 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KAIMOSI | Kaimosi, Kenya | 1,665 m | 1,764 mm | 24.5 °C |
| Himalayan Shangri-La | Mechi Hwy, Nepal | 1,661 m | 2,238 mm | 18.2 °C |
| Njeru Tea Factory | Meru-Nairobi Highway, Kenya | 1,657 m | 890 mm | 22.8 °C |
| Rancabali Tea Estate | Bandung Regency, Indonesia | 1,686 m | 2,986 mm | 21.5 °C |
| Chokanad I | Kerala, India | 1,691 m | 2,773 mm | 21.1 °C |
Theta Tea Factory Compared with Kenya
In Kenya, Theta Tea Factory is drier than 90% of the others by 2025 rainfall; lower than 80% of the others by elevation; warmer than 80% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Theta Tea Factory against the 10 other estates we map in Kenya, so you can see whether it is typical for its region or an outlier.
| Measure | Theta Tea Factory | Region median | Region range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 1,670 m | 1,994 m | 821 to 2,012 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 769 mm | 1,310 mm | 754 to 1,984 mm |
| Mean daily high | 25.5 °C | 23.6 °C | 19.8 to 30.2 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 14.8 °C | 12.2 °C | 11.0 to 19.8 °C |
Observed Climate at Theta Tea Factory (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Theta Tea Factory’s coordinates recorded 769 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was May (140 mm) and the driest was February (8 mm). Daytime highs averaged 25.5 °C and overnight lows 14.8 °C over the year; February was the warmest month and August the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 769 mm |
| Wettest month | May (140 mm) |
| Driest month | February (8 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 25.5 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 14.8 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Theta Tea Factory located?
Theta Tea Factory is in Kenya, at coordinates -1.2870, 36.8269, at an elevation of about 1670 metres.
Who operates Theta Tea Factory?
Theta Tea Factory is operated by Kenya Tea Development Agency, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Theta Tea Factory produce?
Theta Tea Factory is recorded as producing black tea.
What certifications does Theta Tea Factory hold?
Theta Tea Factory is recorded as holding the following certification(s): Ethical Tea Partnership.
How much rain does Theta Tea Factory receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 769 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in May (140 mm).
How does Theta Tea Factory compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Theta Tea Factory recorded 769 mm in 2025, 64% less rain than the 2,130 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].
