In short: Saosa (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.
Saosa—also referred to as Chomogonday or Kymulot Tea—is a black tea estate situated in Kericho, Kenya, at an altitude of 2,010 metres. The estate is operated by James Finlay Kenya Ltd, one of the country's established tea producers, and is recorded as supplying Morrisons, the British supermarket chain.
Terroir & Climate
At 2,010 metres above sea level, Saosa sits well within the high-altitude band that characterises much of Kericho's tea-growing country. Estates at this elevation typically experience cooler temperatures and pronounced diurnal variation, conditions that tend to slow leaf development and can contribute to greater complexity in the harvested flush. The equatorial latitude means daylight hours remain relatively constant year-round, while the bimodal rainfall pattern common to the region generally supports two main cropping periods.
Kericho's red volcanic soils, combined with the moderate temperatures and reliable moisture typical of this altitude, tend to favour steady vegetative growth. The cooler nights and misty mornings often associated with estates above 2,000 metres can encourage the accumulation of certain flavour precursors in the leaf, though the precise character of any given harvest remains contingent on processing decisions and seasonal weather variation.
Tea Produced
Saosa produces black tea. High-altitude Kenyan estates in this elevation range often yield teas with brisk, bright liquors and a characteristic liveliness in the cup. The longer growing cycle typically associated with cooler upland conditions can support the development of more nuanced astringency and, in well-made lots, a balance between body and brightness that suits both traditional blends and standalone offerings. While individual batches will vary with season and manufacturing technique, teas from this altitude band in Kericho generally display the clean, copper-coloured infusion and malty-to-brisk profile for which the region is known.
Supply Chain & Market Position
Saosa is recorded as supplying Morrisons, one of the United Kingdom's major supermarket chains. This supply relationship indicates that the estate participates in the retail-grade segment of the Kenyan tea trade, where consistency, volume capability, and alignment with retailer standards—including traceability and ethical sourcing expectations—are key determinants of commercial viability. The Morrisons connection suggests that Saosa's output meets the quality and compliance benchmarks required for own-label or branded products on British supermarket shelves.
- Recorded supplier to Morrisons
Operator
James Finlay Kenya Ltd, the estate's operator, is a long-established presence in Kenyan tea, with roots extending back to the colonial era and a portfolio that has evolved through successive waves of industry consolidation and divestment. The company operates six other estates recorded in this directory, making it one of the more significant plantation holders in the country. This scale typically confers advantages in processing infrastructure, market access, and the ability to aggregate volumes for major buyers, though it also brings heightened scrutiny regarding labour standards and environmental stewardship.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Saosa (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 Saosa (Chomogonday / Kymulot Tea)
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Saosa (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. Saosa (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 |
Saosa (Chomogonday / Kymulot Tea) Compared with Kericho
In Kericho, Saosa (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 Saosa (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 | Saosa (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 Saosa (Chomogonday / Kymulot Tea) (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Saosa (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 Saosa (Chomogonday / Kymulot Tea) located?
Saosa (Chomogonday / Kymulot Tea) is in Kericho, Kenya, at coordinates -0.3689, 35.2863, at an elevation of about 2010 metres.
Who operates Saosa (Chomogonday / Kymulot Tea)?
Saosa (Chomogonday / Kymulot Tea) is operated by James Finlay Kenya Ltd, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Saosa (Chomogonday / Kymulot Tea) produce?
Saosa (Chomogonday / Kymulot Tea) is recorded as producing black tea.
Which buyers does Saosa (Chomogonday / Kymulot Tea) supply?
Public supplier disclosures record Saosa (Chomogonday / Kymulot Tea) as supplying Morrisons.
How much rain does Saosa (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 Saosa (Chomogonday / Kymulot Tea) compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Saosa (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].