In short: Tirgaga is a Kenyan tea estate in Moi Avenue operated by Kenya Tea Development Agency, which manages six other estates in the directory.
Tirgaga is a tea estate located in Moi Avenue, Kenya, at an elevation of 1,670 metres above sea level. The estate is operated by Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA), the dominant smallholder tea cultivation body in Kenya. No public records currently identify specific buyers for Tirgaga's production.
Terroir & Climate
At 1,670 metres, Tirgaga occupies a mid-elevation position within Kenya's tea-growing landscape. Estates at this altitude typically benefit from moderate daytime temperatures and cool nights, conditions that tend to slow leaf maturation and can encourage the development of aromatic compounds in the fresh leaf. The latitude, just south of the equator, generally allows for year-round vegetative growth, though flush intensity often varies with the bimodal rainfall pattern characteristic of highland Kenya.
Moi Avenue lies within the central highlands, a zone where volcanic soils and reliable moisture generally support vigorous tea cultivation. Estates in this region often experience well-distributed rainfall, and the combination of altitude and equatorial position tends to produce a growing environment distinct from the lower, hotter plains or the highest-altitude zones above 2,000 metres.
Tea Produced
Tirgaga produces black tea. Kenyan black teas from mid-altitude estates such as this typically yield a brisk, bright liquor with pronounced astringency and a coppery infusion. The processing style prevalent in KTDA-managed factories tends to favour CTC (crush, tear, curl) manufacture, which generally results in teas well-suited to blending and known for their strength and colour in the cup. Estates at this elevation often produce leaf that balances body with a clean, assertive character.
Operator
Kenya Tea Development Agency manages smallholder tea production across much of Kenya's highlands, operating a network of factories that process leaf from thousands of contracted farmers. KTDA operates six other estates recorded in this directory, reflecting its central role in the country's tea sector. The agency typically handles both primary processing and auction marketing on behalf of its grower base.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
TIRGAGA 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 TIRGAGA
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match TIRGAGA (1,670 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. TIRGAGA 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 |
TIRGAGA Compared with Moi Avenue
In Moi Avenue, TIRGAGA 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 TIRGAGA 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 | TIRGAGA | 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 TIRGAGA (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for TIRGAGA’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 TIRGAGA located?
TIRGAGA is in Moi Avenue, Kenya, at coordinates -1.2868, 36.8269, at an elevation of about 1670 metres.
Who operates TIRGAGA?
TIRGAGA is operated by Kenya Tea Development Agency, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does TIRGAGA produce?
TIRGAGA is recorded as producing black tea.
How much rain does TIRGAGA receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 769 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in May (140 mm).
How does TIRGAGA compare with estates at a similar elevation?
TIRGAGA 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].
