In short: Litein is a black tea estate on Moi Avenue, Kenya, at 1,670 metres, operated by the Kenya Tea Development Agency.
Litein is a tea estate situated on Moi Avenue in Kenya, at an elevation of 1,670 metres. The estate is operated by the Kenya Tea Development Agency, the country's largest smallholder tea organisation. No specific buyers are currently recorded in publicly available trade data.
Terroir & Climate
At 1,670 metres, Litein sits within the mid-altitude band that characterises much of Kenya's tea country. Estates at this elevation typically experience moderate diurnal temperature variation and consistent rainfall patterns associated with the equatorial highland climate. This altitude generally permits year-round plucking, though flush intensity often peaks during the main wet seasons.
The latitude—just south of the equator—tends to provide stable temperatures and reliable sunlight throughout the year, conditions that usually favour steady vegetative growth. Soils in Kenya's tea regions are often volcanic in origin, and where these conditions prevail, they typically support vigorous bush development and the accumulation of polyphenols in the leaf.
Tea Produced
Litein produces black tea. Kenyan estates at similar elevations and latitudes generally yield teas with a brisk, bright character, often marked by coppery liquor and assertive body. The cup profile typical of this altitude range tends towards robust astringency and malty depth, attributes that have historically made Kenyan black teas well suited to blending in the commodity market. These are hedged generalisations; the specific character of Litein's output will vary with plucking standards, processing protocols, and seasonal conditions.
Operator
The Kenya Tea Development Agency operates this estate and manages six other properties listed in our directory. KTDA is the principal vehicle for smallholder tea production in Kenya, overseeing a network of factories that process leaf from tens of thousands of small growers. The agency's model integrates cultivation extension services, processing infrastructure, and marketing functions, and it plays a central role in the country's position as one of the world's leading black tea exporters.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
LITEIN lies at -1.2868, 36.8269 in Moi Avenue, Kenya. Its 1670 m elevation is the joint 2nd highest of 12 estates we map in Moi Avenue. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- GIANCHORE — under 1 km away
- GITHAMBO — under 1 km away
- GITHONGO — under 1 km away
- KIRU — under 1 km away
- MAKOMBOKI — under 1 km away
Estates at a Similar Altitude to LITEIN
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match LITEIN (1,670 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. LITEIN recorded 769 mm in 2025, 64% less than the 2,130 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KAIMOSI | Kaimosi, Kenya | 1,665 m | 1,764 mm | 24.5 °C |
| Himalayan Shangri-La | Mechi Hwy, Nepal | 1,661 m | 2,238 mm | 18.2 °C |
| Njeru Tea Factory | Meru-Nairobi Highway, Kenya | 1,657 m | 890 mm | 22.8 °C |
| Rancabali Tea Estate | Bandung Regency, Indonesia | 1,686 m | 2,986 mm | 21.5 °C |
| Chokanad I | Kerala, India | 1,691 m | 2,773 mm | 21.1 °C |
LITEIN Compared with Moi Avenue
In Moi Avenue, LITEIN is the driest of the 12 estates by 2025 rainfall; lower than 91% of the others by elevation; cooler than 82% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets LITEIN against the 11 other estates we map in Moi Avenue, so you can see whether it is typical for its region or an outlier.
| Measure | LITEIN | Region median | Region range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 1,670 m | 1,670 m | 1,632 to 1,922 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 769 mm | 769 mm | 769 to 1,984 mm |
| Mean daily high | 25.5 °C | 25.5 °C | 21.8 to 25.5 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 14.8 °C | 14.8 °C | 11.8 to 14.8 °C |
Observed Climate at LITEIN (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for LITEIN’s coordinates recorded 769 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was May (140 mm) and the driest was February (8 mm). Daytime highs averaged 25.5 °C and overnight lows 14.8 °C over the year; February was the warmest month and August the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 769 mm |
| Wettest month | May (140 mm) |
| Driest month | February (8 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 25.5 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 14.8 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is LITEIN located?
LITEIN is in Moi Avenue, Kenya, at coordinates -1.2868, 36.8269, at an elevation of about 1670 metres.
Who operates LITEIN?
LITEIN is operated by Kenya Tea Development Agency, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does LITEIN produce?
LITEIN is recorded as producing black tea.
How much rain does LITEIN receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 769 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in May (140 mm).
How does LITEIN compare with estates at a similar elevation?
LITEIN recorded 769 mm in 2025, 64% less rain than the 2,130 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].
