Kapsara Tea Factory

Kapsara Tea Factory is a black tea production facility located in the Sibanga region of Kenya, operating at an altitude of 1,889 metres. The estate is managed by the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA), the cooperative body that administers smallholder tea production across much of Kenya's highlands. No specific tea buyers have been publicly recorded for Kapsara at this time.

Terroir & Climate

At 1,889 metres above sea level and situated just north of the equator, Kapsara occupies a mid-to-high elevation band typical of Kenya's productive tea zones. Estates at this altitude generally experience moderate daytime temperatures and cool nights, conditions that tend to slow leaf maturation and can encourage the development of flavour compounds. The equatorial latitude means that seasonal variation is relatively muted compared to more temperate tea regions, though local rainfall patterns typically define distinct wet and dry periods that shape the plucking calendar.

The Sibanga area, like much of Kenya's western and central tea country, is characterised by volcanic soils that are generally well-drained and rich in minerals. These conditions, combined with the elevation, tend to favour steady vegetative growth. Estates in this elevation range often benefit from morning mists and consistent moisture during the growing season, factors that can contribute to the vigour and biochemical profile of the leaf.

Tea Produced

Kapsara produces black tea. Kenyan black teas from estates at this elevation typically yield a brisk, full-bodied cup with pronounced malty or coppery notes and a characteristic brightness. The mid-to-high altitude generally supports good astringency and colour, qualities that make such teas well-suited to blending as well as single-origin offerings. While specific cultivars and processing protocols at Kapsara are not documented here, the regional profile tends toward clean, robust character with relatively low floral complexity.

Operator

The Kenya Tea Development Agency manages Kapsara and operates as the umbrella organisation for smallholder tea farmers across Kenya, coordinating production, processing, and marketing on behalf of thousands of growers. KTDA oversees a network of factories throughout the country's tea-growing regions; in addition to Kapsara, our directory records six other estates under KTDA management, reflecting the agency's significant role in Kenya's tea sector. The cooperative model means that leaf is typically supplied by independent smallholders rather than estate-owned plantations.

Certifications & Ethics

Kapsara Tea Factory holds certification from the Ethical Tea Partnership, an industry body that works to improve social, environmental, and economic conditions on tea estates and smallholder farms. ETP certification indicates that the factory has undergone assessment against standards covering labour rights, health and safety, and environmental stewardship, and commits to ongoing monitoring and improvement. For buyers, this offers a level of assurance regarding working conditions and responsible production practices; for workers and smallholder suppliers, it is intended to support safer, fairer conditions and access to capacity-building resources.

Location & Neighbouring Estates

Kapsara Tea Factory lies at 1.0284, 35.1193 in Sibanga, Kenya. Its 1889 m elevation is the 125th highest of 186 estates we map in Kenya. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:

• Emrok — 13 km away · Kitale
• NANDI ROYAL — 13 km away · Rift Valley Province
• Elgon — 32 km away · Saboti
• Sisibo Tea Factory — 40 km away · P.O. Box 249
• KIPSINENDE — 59 km away · Iten

Estates at a Similar Altitude to Kapsara Tea Factory

Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Kapsara Tea Factory (1,889 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Kapsara Tea Factory recorded 1,521 mm in 2025, 22% less than the 1,952 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
ITUMBE	Kisii, Kenya	1,890 m	1,370 mm	24.2 °C
Agalawatte Plantations, Weddemulla	Central Province, Sri Lanka	1,888 m	2,522 mm	19.7 °C
Kelanivalley Plantations, Fordyce	Central Province, Sri Lanka	1,888 m	2,522 mm	19.7 °C
Elgon	Saboti, Kenya	1,891 m	1,165 mm	24.0 °C
Himalayan Tea Producers Cooperative Ltd.	LN Road 32, Nepal	1,895 m	2,180 mm	18.5 °C

Kapsara Tea Factory Compared with Kenya

In Kenya, Kapsara Tea Factory is wetter than 51% of the others by 2025 rainfall; lower than 67% of the others by elevation; warmer than 68% of the others by daytime temperature. The table sets Kapsara Tea Factory against the 185 other estates we map in Kenya, so you can see whether it is typical for its country or an outlier.

Measure	Kapsara Tea Factory	Country median	Country range
Elevation	1,889 m	1,990 m	821 to 2,790 m
Annual rainfall (2025)	1,521 mm	1,518 mm	754 to 2,070 mm
Mean daily high	23.8 °C	22.4 °C	16.8 to 30.2 °C
Mean overnight low	11.3 °C	12.0 °C	8.5 to 19.8 °C

Observed Climate at Kapsara Tea Factory (2025)

ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Kapsara Tea Factory’s coordinates recorded 1,521 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was July (234 mm) and the driest was February (1 mm). Daytime highs averaged 23.8 °C and overnight lows 11.3 °C over the year; March was the warmest month and August the coolest.

Metric	2025 value
Annual precipitation	1,521 mm
Wettest month	July (234 mm)
Driest month	February (1 mm)
Mean daily high	23.8 °C
Mean overnight low	11.3 °C

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Kapsara Tea Factory located?

Kapsara Tea Factory is in Sibanga, Kenya, at coordinates 1.0284, 35.1193, at an elevation of about 1889 metres.

Who operates Kapsara Tea Factory?

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

What type of tea does Kapsara Tea Factory produce?

Kapsara Tea Factory is recorded as producing black tea.

What certifications does Kapsara Tea Factory hold?

Kapsara Tea Factory is recorded as holding the following certification(s): Ethical Tea Partnership.

How much rain does Kapsara Tea Factory receive?

ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 1,521 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in July (234 mm).

How does Kapsara Tea Factory compare with estates at a similar elevation?

Kapsara Tea Factory recorded 1,521 mm in 2025, 22% less rain than the 1,952 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].