TEBESONIK

TEBESONIK is a tea estate located in Moi Avenue, Kenya, at an elevation of 1,670 metres above sea level. The estate is operated by the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA), a producer organisation that manages smallholder tea production across Kenya. No buyers are currently recorded in publicly available supply‑chain data for TEBESONIK.

Terroir & Climate

At 1,670 metres, TEBESONIK occupies a mid‑elevation site in the Kenyan highlands, where estates typically benefit from moderate temperatures and reliable rainfall distributed across two wet seasons. This altitude generally places the estate in a zone where the diurnal temperature range can be significant, a factor that tends to slow leaf maturation and encourage the accumulation of polyphenols and amino acids in the fresh shoot.

Kenya's equatorial latitude means that day‑length remains relatively constant throughout the year, and estates at this elevation often experience year‑round production with peaks corresponding to the long and short rains. The volcanic soils common to much of Kenya's tea country are typically well drained and rich in minerals, characteristics that tend to support vigorous growth and contribute to the briskness for which Kenyan black teas are widely known.

Tea Produced

TEBESONIK produces black tea. Estates in the Kenyan highlands at comparable elevations generally yield a cup characterised by briskness, brightness, and a coppery infusion. The mid‑elevation profile tends to deliver teas with good body and a clean, assertive character that performs well in blends, though individual estate styles can vary with processing decisions and the timing of plucking rounds relative to rainfall and temperature patterns.

Operator

The Kenya Tea Development Agency manages smallholder tea production through a network of factory companies across Kenya's tea‑growing regions. KTDA operates six other estates recorded in our directory, reflecting its role as the largest manager of smallholder tea in Kenya and one of the most significant actors in the country's tea supply chain. The agency provides agronomic support, collection infrastructure, and access to the Mombasa auction, where much of Kenya's tea is sold.

Location & Neighbouring Estates

TEBESONIK 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
• LITEIN — under 1 km away

Estates at a Similar Altitude to TEBESONIK

Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match TEBESONIK (1,670 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. TEBESONIK 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

TEBESONIK Compared with Moi Avenue

In Moi Avenue, TEBESONIK 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 TEBESONIK 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	TEBESONIK	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 TEBESONIK (2025)

ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for TEBESONIK’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 TEBESONIK located?

TEBESONIK is in Moi Avenue, Kenya, at coordinates -1.2868, 36.8269, at an elevation of about 1670 metres.

Who operates TEBESONIK?

TEBESONIK is operated by Kenya Tea Development Agency, according to public supply-chain records.

What type of tea does TEBESONIK produce?

TEBESONIK is recorded as producing black tea.

How much rain does TEBESONIK receive?

ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 769 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in May (140 mm).

How does TEBESONIK compare with estates at a similar elevation?

TEBESONIK 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].