In short: Kaptien is a black tea estate in the Kericho region of Kenya, operated by Unilever Tea Kenya and known to supply Morrisons.
Kaptien is a black tea estate situated in the Kericho region of Kenya, at an elevation of 2,010 metres above sea level. The estate is operated by Unilever Tea Kenya, one of the country's largest tea producers, and is recorded as supplying Morrisons, a major British supermarket chain.
Terroir & Climate
At 2,010 metres, Kaptien occupies high-altitude ground in the Kenyan highlands, close to the equator. Estates at this elevation typically experience cooler temperatures and greater diurnal variation than lower-lying gardens, conditions that tend to slow leaf development and can contribute to higher concentrations of flavour compounds in the harvested flush.
The Kericho region generally benefits from well-distributed rainfall across two main seasons, supporting year-round production in many gardens. Equatorial positioning and altitude together often create the bright acidity and briskness for which Kenyan black teas are recognised in international markets.
Tea Produced
Kaptien produces black tea. Estates in Kericho at this altitude typically yield teas with a bright, coppery liquor and a brisk, lively character. The cup profile often features noticeable astringency and a clean finish, qualities that make Kenyan high-grown blacks well suited to blending as well as single-origin retail packs.
Supply Chain & Market Position
Kaptien is recorded as supplying Morrisons, placing the estate within the supply chain of one of the United Kingdom's leading grocery retailers. This relationship indicates that at least a portion of Kaptien's output reaches British consumers, likely through own-label or branded tea products on supermarket shelves. The presence of a major multiple retailer as a known buyer reflects the estate's integration into established commodity and retail tea channels.
- Recorded supplier to Morrisons
Operator
Kaptien is operated by Unilever Tea Kenya, a substantial presence in the country's tea sector and part of the Unilever group's global tea operations. Unilever Tea Kenya operates six other estates recorded in this directory, indicating a multi-site production footprint across Kenya's principal tea-growing regions.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
KAPTIEN 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 KAPTIEN
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match KAPTIEN (2,010 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. KAPTIEN 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 |
KAPTIEN Compared with Kericho
In Kericho, KAPTIEN 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 KAPTIEN against the 43 other estates we map in Kericho, so you can see whether it is typical for its region or an outlier.
| Measure | KAPTIEN | 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 KAPTIEN (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for KAPTIEN’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 KAPTIEN located?
KAPTIEN is in Kericho, Kenya, at coordinates -0.3689, 35.2863, at an elevation of about 2010 metres.
Who operates KAPTIEN?
KAPTIEN is operated by Unilever Tea Kenya, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does KAPTIEN produce?
KAPTIEN is recorded as producing black tea.
Which buyers does KAPTIEN supply?
Public supplier disclosures record KAPTIEN as supplying Morrisons.
How much rain does KAPTIEN receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 1,984 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in October (286 mm).
How does KAPTIEN compare with estates at a similar elevation?
KAPTIEN 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].