Highfield Tea Factory

Highfield Tea Factory is a working tea manufacturing unit located on the Coonoor-Kotagiri Road near Coonoor in the Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu. Established in the colonial era, it is known for producing Nilgiri orthodox and CTC teas. The factory offers guided tours demonstrating withering, rolling, fermentation, drying and grading processes, along with tea tasting and a retail outlet for fresh teas and souvenirs.

Visitors can expect a guided walk through a functioning tea factory with viewing areas for each stage of tea processing including withering, rolling, fermentation, drying, sorting and grading. The setting is surrounded by tea estates with views of the Nilgiri hills. The visit includes explanations of machinery and tea types, a tea tasting session, and access to a shop selling fresh Nilgiri teas, flavored teas and souvenirs.

Part of the Nilgiri tea plantation industry developed during the British colonial period in the 19th century. Highfield Estate is among the older tea estates in the Coonoor-Kotagiri belt and reflects the historical expansion of commercial tea cultivation in the Nilgiris.

Represents the plantation heritage and tea culture of the Nilgiris, where tea cultivation is central to the local economy and identity. The factory showcases traditional Nilgiri orthodox tea processing methods preserved for visitors.