In short: Chemase is a black tea estate in Kericho, Kenya, operated by James Finlay Kenya Ltd and known to supply Morrisons.
Chemase—also recorded as Chomogonday and Kymulot Tea—is a black tea estate situated in the Kericho district of Kenya, at an altitude of 2,010 metres above sea level. The estate is operated by James Finlay Kenya Ltd, one of the major producers in the country's tea sector. Chemase is known to supply Morrisons, the British supermarket chain.
Terroir & Climate
At 2,010 metres, Chemase occupies high-altitude ground characteristic of Kenya's Kericho tea belt, where cool temperatures and regular cloud cover typically moderate sunlight exposure and slow the growth cycle. Estates at this elevation often experience a pronounced diurnal temperature range, which tends to encourage the accumulation of polyphenols and amino acids in the leaf. The equatorial latitude means that day length remains relatively constant year-round, and the region generally receives well-distributed rainfall, supporting continuous cropping without the strict seasonal dormancy seen in more temperate zones.
Kericho's volcanic soils—common across much of the Kenyan highlands—tend to offer good drainage and a supply of minerals that can influence plant vigour. The combination of altitude, latitude and soil type is widely regarded as conducive to the production of black teas with pronounced structure, though specific outcomes depend on clone selection, plucking discipline and manufacturing practice at each individual estate.
Tea Produced
Chemase produces black tea. Kenyan estates at this elevation typically yield teas with bright, coppery liquor, brisk astringency and a clean, malty character. The high-grown profile often shows good body and colour, attributes valued in blending for both retail packaged teas and foodservice applications. While cup character varies with season and manufacturing technique, teas from Kericho's upper altitudes generally display the intensity and brightness for which Kenyan CTC production is internationally recognised.
Supply Chain & Market Position
Chemase is recorded as a supplier to Morrisons, indicating a direct or closely managed supply relationship with one of the United Kingdom's largest supermarket chains. Morrisons sources tea both for own-label lines and, historically, for brands sold through its stores, and inclusion in such supply chains typically reflects scale, quality assurance systems and the ability to meet traceability and audit requirements. This connection positions Chemase within the upper tiers of Kenya's export sector, where estates supply recognisable retail names rather than trading exclusively through the Mombasa auction.
- Recorded supplier to Morrisons
Operator
James Finlay Kenya Ltd is a long-established operator in Kenya's tea industry and manages a portfolio of estates across the country's principal growing regions. The company operates six other estates recorded in this directory, giving it a significant footprint in Kenyan production and the logistical and agronomic infrastructure to supply international buyers at scale. James Finlay's vertical integration—from cultivation through to processing and export—positions its estates to meet the quality and compliance standards expected by multinational retailers and brand owners.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Chemase (Chomogonday / Kymulot Tea) lies at -0.3689, 35.2863 in Kericho, Kenya. Its 2010 m elevation is the joint 7th highest of 44 estates we map in Kericho. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Changana (Changana Tea) — under 1 km away · Kenya
- Kitumbe (Kitumbe Tea) — under 1 km away · Kenya
- BONDET (Chomogonday / Kymulot Tea) — under 1 km away
- Bureti Tea Company Ltd, Kalyet Tea Factory — under 1 km away
- CHEBOSWA — under 1 km away
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Chemase (Chomogonday / Kymulot Tea)
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Chemase (Chomogonday / Kymulot Tea) (2,010 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Chemase (Chomogonday / Kymulot Tea) recorded 1,984 mm in 2025, 14% more than the 1,737 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tea Studio | Kattabettu, India | 2,010 m | 1,405 mm | 19.9 °C |
| Nyankoba Tea Factory | Kenya, Kenya | 2,012 m | 754 mm | 24.1 °C |
| Marybong Tea Estate | West Bengal, India | 2,016 m | 2,294 mm | 17.7 °C |
| GACHEGE | Kenya, Kenya | 2,003 m | 1,455 mm | 19.8 °C |
| Hubei Wuhan Jiarun Huiming Tea Co., Ltd. | Yongde County, China | 2,002 m | 2,779 mm | 19.9 °C |
Chemase (Chomogonday / Kymulot Tea) Compared with Kericho
In Kericho, Chemase (Chomogonday / Kymulot Tea) is drier than 81% of the others by 2025 rainfall; lower than 93% of the others by elevation; cooler than 91% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Chemase (Chomogonday / Kymulot Tea) against the 43 other estates we map in Kericho, so you can see whether it is typical for its region or an outlier.
| Measure | Chemase (Chomogonday / Kymulot Tea) | Region median | Region range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 2,010 m | 2,010 m | 1,836 to 2,437 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 1,984 mm | 1,984 mm | 1,021 to 1,984 mm |
| Mean daily high | 22.4 °C | 22.4 °C | 20.5 to 25.1 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 11.8 °C | 11.8 °C | 9.7 to 12.8 °C |
Observed Climate at Chemase (Chomogonday / Kymulot Tea) (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Chemase (Chomogonday / Kymulot Tea)’s coordinates recorded 1,984 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was October (286 mm) and the driest was February (16 mm). Daytime highs averaged 22.4 °C and overnight lows 11.8 °C over the year; February was the warmest month and August the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 1,984 mm |
| Wettest month | October (286 mm) |
| Driest month | February (16 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 22.4 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 11.8 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Chemase (Chomogonday / Kymulot Tea) located?
Chemase (Chomogonday / Kymulot Tea) is in Kericho, Kenya, at coordinates -0.3689, 35.2863, at an elevation of about 2010 metres.
Who operates Chemase (Chomogonday / Kymulot Tea)?
Chemase (Chomogonday / Kymulot Tea) is operated by James Finlay Kenya Ltd, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Chemase (Chomogonday / Kymulot Tea) produce?
Chemase (Chomogonday / Kymulot Tea) is recorded as producing black tea.
Which buyers does Chemase (Chomogonday / Kymulot Tea) supply?
Public supplier disclosures record Chemase (Chomogonday / Kymulot Tea) as supplying Morrisons.
How much rain does Chemase (Chomogonday / Kymulot Tea) receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 1,984 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in October (286 mm).
How does Chemase (Chomogonday / Kymulot Tea) compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Chemase (Chomogonday / Kymulot Tea) recorded 1,984 mm in 2025, 14% more rain than the 1,737 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].