In short: Kapsongoi (also known as Chomogonday / Kymulot Tea) is a black tea estate in Kericho, Kenya, operated by James Finlay Kenya Ltd and known to supply Morrisons.
Kapsongoi—also recorded as Chomogonday / Kymulot Tea—is a black tea estate in the Kericho region of Kenya, situated at 2,010 metres above sea level. The estate is operated by James Finlay Kenya Ltd, a long-established presence in Kenyan tea production, and is known to supply Morrisons in the United Kingdom.
Terroir & Climate
At 2,010 metres, Kapsongoi lies within the high-altitude band that typifies Kericho's tea belt. Estates at this elevation generally experience cooler temperatures and greater diurnal variation than lower-lying gardens, conditions that tend to slow leaf maturation and encourage the accumulation of polyphenols and amino acids. The equatorial latitude results in relatively consistent day length year-round, yet the region's bimodal rainfall pattern typically shapes two distinct growing seasons.
The Kericho highlands are known for deep volcanic soils and regular cloud cover, both of which tend to favour steady vegetative growth. Estates in this zone often benefit from well-distributed annual rainfall, although precise figures for Kapsongoi itself are not recorded. The altitude and proximity to the equator generally combine to produce a growing environment conducive to black tea manufacture, with leaf that develops the body and briskness for which Kenyan high-grown teas are recognised in international markets.
Tea Produced
Kapsongoi produces black tea. Estates in Kericho at similar elevations typically yield teas with pronounced body, bright coppery liquor, and a brisk, assertive character. High-altitude Kenyan blacks are generally valued by blenders for their strength and colour, qualities that tend to make them versatile across both packet blends and single-origin offerings. The cup profile often features malty or slightly astringent notes, though individual manufacturing choices and seasonal variation can influence the final character.
Supply Chain & Market Position
Kapsongoi is recorded as supplying Morrisons, one of the United Kingdom's major supermarket chains. This relationship places the estate within the mainstream retail supply chain, where Kenyan teas are frequently employed in own-label blends and everyday packet teas. The connection to a large British retailer reflects both the estate's capacity to meet volume and quality standards and the continued reliance of UK buyers on Kenyan production for core black tea ranges.
- Recorded supplier to Morrisons
Operator
The estate is operated by James Finlay Kenya Ltd, a company with deep roots in Kenyan tea cultivation and a significant footprint in the Kericho region. Our directory records six other estates under the same operator, indicating a substantial portfolio and operational scale within the country. This network typically affords shared agronomic expertise, centralised processing infrastructure, and coordinated engagement with international buyers and certification bodies.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Kapsongoi (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 Kapsongoi (Chomogonday / Kymulot Tea)
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Kapsongoi (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. Kapsongoi (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 |
Kapsongoi (Chomogonday / Kymulot Tea) Compared with Kericho
In Kericho, Kapsongoi (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 Kapsongoi (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 | Kapsongoi (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 Kapsongoi (Chomogonday / Kymulot Tea) (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Kapsongoi (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 Kapsongoi (Chomogonday / Kymulot Tea) located?
Kapsongoi (Chomogonday / Kymulot Tea) is in Kericho, Kenya, at coordinates -0.3689, 35.2863, at an elevation of about 2010 metres.
Who operates Kapsongoi (Chomogonday / Kymulot Tea)?
Kapsongoi (Chomogonday / Kymulot Tea) is operated by James Finlay Kenya Ltd, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Kapsongoi (Chomogonday / Kymulot Tea) produce?
Kapsongoi (Chomogonday / Kymulot Tea) is recorded as producing black tea.
Which buyers does Kapsongoi (Chomogonday / Kymulot Tea) supply?
Public supplier disclosures record Kapsongoi (Chomogonday / Kymulot Tea) as supplying Morrisons.
How much rain does Kapsongoi (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 Kapsongoi (Chomogonday / Kymulot Tea) compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Kapsongoi (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].