Our History
In 1894, Maj.-Gen. Henry Rhodes Morgan planted the seeds for Glenmorgan Tea Estates in the heart of the Nilgiris, naming it after himself and his vision. As the region shifted from coffee to tea, planters recognized the unique combination of elevation and climate that defined Nilgiri quality. Initially owned by James Finlay & Co., the estate grew into a cornerstone of regional tea.
By the mid-20th century, ownership passed to Parsi custodians, including Sorabji Ardeshir, who helped cement Coonoor’s place as a tea-auction hub. In 1958, a new chapter began when the Vadera Family acquired Glenmorgan, later expanding operations and pioneering green-tea production that reached discerning markets abroad.
Today, Glenmorgan is owned and led by the Vadera family—with Vinodkant Vadera (Chairman), Rupin Vadera (CEO) and Madhavi Vadera (CFO) on the Board of Directors—who are modernizing the estate with thoughtful technology and sustainability. Recent upgrades include solar-powered factory operations to drastically shrink our carbon footprint, along with careful field innovations that respect both land and community. It’s a living legacy shaped by migration, resilience, and a love for tea.
The Estate
Glenmorgan stretches 500 acres across the Nilgiris’ undulating Blue Mountains, where cool temperatures and fertile soils help develop layered flavours in the leaf.
These are lands long connected to indigenous communities such as the Toda and Badaga, whose presence endures in local culture and care for the hills. Stands of eucalyptus—introduced in the estate’s early days—still mark the landscape and its history.
We are Rainforest Alliance–certified, a commitment reflected in our farming practices, water and soil stewardship, and support for workers and their families. From dawn over the ridgelines to the last batch leaving the dryer, Glenmorgan is where nature and craft meet with quiet confidence.
Our Team
Glenmorgan’s leadership—Chairman Vinodkant Vadera, CEO Rupin Vadera, and CFO Madhavi Vadera—guides a team of over 400 people who are the backbone of our operations. Everyone, from those working in the tea fields to the factory staff, contributes to keeping our century-old estate thriving. Many families have worked here for generations, sharing their expertise in growing, harvesting, and processing tea. Their deep ties to the land mean every batch of tea reflects their skill and pride.
What makes Glenmorgan special goes beyond technical know-how. Our team is united by a sense of fairness, safety, and shared goals. Everyone has a chance to contribute, no matter their role or background. The work here blends time-tested methods with modern efficiency, ensuring our teas capture the true character of the Nilgiris. It’s a practical balance of tradition and progress, driven by a group of dedicated people who care about what they do.
Our Teas
Experience the bold, distinct character of the Nilgiris in Glenmorgan’s black teas. Grown at the highest elevations and created with uncompromising rigour, our teas reflect the rich heritage of our estate. With a focus on quality, we blend tradition with modern techniques to deliver exceptional flavour.
CTC (Crush, Tear, Curl)
Our CTC black tea delivers a robust, full-bodied flavour perfect for everyday chai. Carefully plucked from our fields, the leaves are processed to create tight, granular pellets that release a brisk, malty taste. Ideal for a quick, invigorating brew, this tea reflects the vibrant spirit of Indian tea culture, enjoyed from morning cups to bustling tea stalls.
Orthodox
Our Orthodox black tea is a tribute to craftsmanship, offering a rich, nuanced profile with floral and earthy notes. Hand-plucked and gently rolled, the leaves retain their natural flavour profile, yielding a smooth, aromatic cup. Perfect for savouring slowly, this tea captures the essence of Glenmorgan’s highland slopes.
Our Process
1. Grow & Pluck
1. Grow & Pluck
1. Grow & Pluck
Our process begins with the careful cultivation of tea bushes, nurtured in the Nilgiris’ unique climate and rich soil, yielding 6,500 kg of fresh leaves daily. Skilled workers, hand-pluck only the finest leaves.
Plucking rounds occur every 14 days to ensure optimal flavour, with each leaf carefully selected to capture the vibrant charac
Our process begins with the careful cultivation of tea bushes, nurtured in the Nilgiris’ unique climate and rich soil, yielding 6,500 kg of fresh leaves daily. Skilled workers, hand-pluck only the finest leaves.
Plucking rounds occur every 14 days to ensure optimal flavour, with each leaf carefully selected to capture the vibrant character that defines Glenmorgan’s teas.
This labour-intensive step, rooted in decades of expertise, sets the foundation for our renowned quality, as our team works in harmony with the land to bring the best leaves to the factory, adhering to strict standards: a minimum of 55% good leaf for CTC teas and 70% for our Orthodox line.
2. Craft & Dry
1. Grow & Pluck
1. Grow & Pluck
Once plucked, leaves are withered in stainless steel troughs to relax the cell structure and concentrate the natural flavours. This critical step is followed by rolling and fermenting.
For CTC teas, rolling creates the bold, granular texture ideal for robust chai, while Orthodox teas are carefully crafted to develop delicate, aromatic pro
Once plucked, leaves are withered in stainless steel troughs to relax the cell structure and concentrate the natural flavours. This critical step is followed by rolling and fermenting.
For CTC teas, rolling creates the bold, granular texture ideal for robust chai, while Orthodox teas are carefully crafted to develop delicate, aromatic profiles.
Fermentation is closely monitored to unlock the perfect balance of flavour, with our factory team ensuring each batch meets Glenmorgan’s high standards.
The leaves are then dried to lock in their character, a process refined through years of expertise to produce more than 4,000 kg of tea daily. This stage blends traditional methods with modern care, ensuring every leaf reaches its full potential in both taste and quality.
3. Sort & Pack
1. Grow & Pluck
3. Sort & Pack
The final step brings our teas to life, as they’re sorted into distinct grades that showcase their quality.
CTC teas are separated into grades like SFD, SRD, PD, and RD, with dust grades prized for their bold flavour and market appeal.
Our Orthodox teas are sorted with a specialized colour sorter to ensure only the finest leaves make the
The final step brings our teas to life, as they’re sorted into distinct grades that showcase their quality.
CTC teas are separated into grades like SFD, SRD, PD, and RD, with dust grades prized for their bold flavour and market appeal.
Our Orthodox teas are sorted with a specialized colour sorter to ensure only the finest leaves make the cut.
Producing more than 1.2 million kilos annually, our team packs each batch fresh at the source, preserving the vibrant taste and aroma that Glenmorgan is known for. From bulk buyers to premium retail, our teas are prepared for global markets, carrying the pride of our Nilgiri heritage to every cup.