In short: MATUTA (also known as Chomogonday / Kymulot Tea) is a black tea estate in Kericho, Kenya, operated by James Finlay Kenya Ltd and recorded as supplying Morrisons.
MATUTA—also referred to as Chomogonday or Kymulot Tea—is a black tea estate located in the Kericho region of Kenya, at an altitude of 2,010 metres. The estate is operated by James Finlay Kenya Ltd, one of the largest tea producers in the country, and is recorded as supplying the British supermarket chain Morrisons.
Terroir & Climate
Situated at 2,010 metres in Kericho, MATUTA occupies high-altitude terrain in Kenya's principal tea-growing belt. Estates at this elevation in the Kenyan Highlands typically experience cooler temperatures and significant diurnal variation, which tends to slow leaf development and encourage the accumulation of polyphenols and other secondary metabolites. The equatorial latitude, combined with high altitude, generally supports year-round cultivation, though the bimodal rainfall pattern common to this region often shapes two distinct plucking seasons.
The volcanic soils typical of Kericho tend to be deep, well-drained, and rich in minerals, characteristics that are often associated with vigorous plant growth. At this elevation, mist and cloud cover are frequent, moderating temperature extremes and maintaining relatively stable humidity levels. These conditions generally favour the production of black teas with pronounced briskness and colour, though specific outcomes depend on cultivar selection, agronomy, and processing protocols employed by the estate.
Tea Produced
MATUTA produces black tea. Estates in Kericho at similar elevations typically yield teas characterised by bright, coppery liquors, brisk astringency, and a clean, malty backbone. The high-altitude environment tends to produce leaf with good body and colour, qualities often sought for blending in retail markets. The specific cup profile will vary according to plucking standards, withering times, and oxidation management, but the regional style generally leans toward strength and consistency rather than aromatic complexity.
Supply Chain & Market Position
MATUTA is recorded as supplying Morrisons, one of the United Kingdom's major supermarket chains. This relationship positions the estate within the supply chain for own-label and mainstream retail blends, where consistency, volume capability, and traceability are key commercial considerations. Supply to a major British retailer reflects both the scale of James Finlay's operations and the estate's ability to meet the quality and compliance standards expected by large-scale buyers in competitive retail tea markets.
- Recorded supplier to Morrisons
Operator
The estate is operated by James Finlay Kenya Ltd, a subsidiary of the Camellia plc group and one of Kenya's longest-established tea producers. James Finlay Kenya operates a portfolio of estates across the Kenyan Highlands; in addition to MATUTA, the company manages six other estates recorded in our directory. This operational scale provides the company with significant influence in regional supply chains and the capacity to meet the volume and consistency requirements of major international buyers.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
MATUTA (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 MATUTA (Chomogonday / Kymulot Tea)
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match MATUTA (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. MATUTA (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 |
MATUTA (Chomogonday / Kymulot Tea) Compared with Kericho
In Kericho, MATUTA (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 MATUTA (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 | MATUTA (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 MATUTA (Chomogonday / Kymulot Tea) (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for MATUTA (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 MATUTA (Chomogonday / Kymulot Tea) located?
MATUTA (Chomogonday / Kymulot Tea) is in Kericho, Kenya, at coordinates -0.3689, 35.2863, at an elevation of about 2010 metres.
Who operates MATUTA (Chomogonday / Kymulot Tea)?
MATUTA (Chomogonday / Kymulot Tea) is operated by James Finlay Kenya Ltd, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does MATUTA (Chomogonday / Kymulot Tea) produce?
MATUTA (Chomogonday / Kymulot Tea) is recorded as producing black tea.
Which buyers does MATUTA (Chomogonday / Kymulot Tea) supply?
Public supplier disclosures record MATUTA (Chomogonday / Kymulot Tea) as supplying Morrisons.
How much rain does MATUTA (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 MATUTA (Chomogonday / Kymulot Tea) compare with estates at a similar elevation?
MATUTA (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].