If you’re reading this, you’ve probably heard about the wonders of Kenyan tea and you’re checking to see if it is really true. Well, it is! Whoever hyped it up for you was absolutely right. Asides from the immense health benefits of Kenyan tea, its quality and brew is next to none. This article will answer questions like:
- What is Kenyan tea?
- Where is Kenyan tea processed?
- What are the types of Kenyan tea?
- Where can I buy Kenyan tea?
- What is Kenyan Tea culture?
- Why is Kenyan tea considered the best in the world?
What is Kenyan Tea?
Kenyan tea is an infusion of leaves in tea bags that has a deep yellow amber, green amber, or honey colour when brewed. It is a full-flavoured liquor-coloured tea that blends perfectly with milk, honey, lemon and other tea additives. According to tea experts and enthusiasts, it is one of the best teas because of its strong nature, which stands out when compared to several other teas.
Where is Kenyan Tea Processed?
The first tea in Kenya was planted by the Caine brothers in 1903 in present-day Limuru. However, according to the Tea Board of Kenya (TBK), the “commercial cultivation of tea in Kenya began in 1924 and remained an exclusive preoccupation of the colonialists until 1956 when African growers were allowed to process tea.” Presently, tea is grown across 19 Kenyan counties all year round with minimal seasonal variations in quantity due to its geographical location.
As a top foreign exchange product that contributes about 23% of total foreign exchange earnings and 2% of the agricultural GDP, it’s no wonder why Kenya is the third largest global tea exporter behind China and India, and the largest black tea exporter in the world.
Majority of Kenyan tea is processed the old fashion way. Processers use the Crush, Tear and Curl (CTC) method, which makes it easier for its use in black tea market blends like North America, India and Britain. The best Kenyan teas are processed through the picking of tender leaves and buds, and spread out to dry and oxidize. This is a traditional method that increases the tea’s quality, making it highly sought after single origin whole-leaf teas.
According to a 2021 research study on Bioenergy in Tea Processing in Kenya, over 60% of Kenya’s tea is processed at 70 independent factories owned by 650,000 smallholder growers, through their 54 farmer-owned companies.
What are the Types of Kenyan Tea?
Kenyan Black Tea
Like most black teas, the Kenyan black tea is derived from the leaves and buds of the Camellia Sinensis plant. It is regarded as the most processed tea because of its full oxidization that gives it its black colour and name.
Benefits of Kenyan Black Tea
- It contains flavonols that reduce the risk of heart diseases.
- It improves gut health and digestion.
- It contains polyphenols that prevent DNA damage of body cells and certain forms of cancer.
Kenyan Purple Tea
The Kenyan purple tea is one of the most searched teas on Google! It is derived from the leaves, buds, and shoots of a crossbreed variety of the Camellia Sinensis plant. The purple tea gets its colour from anthocyanin; an antioxidant present in raspberries and purple grapes.
Benefits of Kenyan Purple Tea
- It prevents diabetes by controlling blood sugar levels.
- It reduces body fat and aids weight loss.
- It has lesser caffeine than green and black teas.
- It contains anti-aging compounds that reduce fine lines, correct skin tones, and improve complexions. This makes its leaves an essential ingredient in skincare products.
Kenyan Green Tea
Simply put, the Kenyan green tea is unfermented black tea. Fresh. It is also derived from the leaves, buds, and shoots of the Camellia Sinensis plant.
Benefits of Kenyan Green Tea
- It increases metabolism and aids in weight loss.
- It contains polyphenols that prevent Alzheimer’s.
- It contains catechins which reduce the risk of cardiovascular and cancerous diseases.
- It regulates cholesterol levels.
Kenyan White Tea
This is the most expensive and purest of all Kenyan teas, as it undergoes only withering and plucking and contains the most antioxidants. It has a delicate, floral taste, and is usually harvested once a year, when its leaves are partly opened. Like other Kenyan teas, it is derived from the leaves and buds of the Camellia Sinensis plant.
Benefits of Kenyan White Tea
- It contains anti-aging compounds that improves skin texture.
- It boosts metabolism and aids weight loss.
- Because it contains the highest level of anti-oxidants, it boosts the immune system and prevents cancer.
Where can I Buy Kenyan Tea?
Now you know all the benefits of Kenyan teas, you may want to get some for your grandma, uncle, sister, or even yourself. But if you don’t live in Kenya, India, London, or North America, where it is majorly exported, this may be a problem. However, I have a solution: www.buyafricamade.com.
On BAM, you can get a variety of Kenyan teas within days of placing an order. Some of the teas available on BAM are:
- Ketepa Pride Black Tea: 100 enveloped tea bags, 200g, FDA approved. This tea is available for ₦5000/ $3.09 only.
- Ketepa Pride Premium Tea Hexagon Pack: 66 enveloped tea bags, 120g, FDA approved. This hexagonal pack contains 11 assorted flavours including caramel, orange, mint, masala, mango, lemon, jasmine, ginger, forest fruit, cinnamon, and earl grey flavours. It’s available for ₦7,500/$4.63 only.
- Ketepa Pride Flavoured Black Teas: 25 enveloped tea bags per tea box, 50g, FDA approved. This is perfect for you if you want to get single flavours instead of the hexagon pack that contains all the flavours listed previously. Each flavoured pack is available for ₦2000/$1.24 only.
- Get more teas like Kericho Gold, Safari Pure Loose Tea and Fahari Ya Kenya on BAM.
What is Kenyan Tea Culture?
In Kenya it is often said that, “anytime is tea time.” Chai (tea with milk and occasional sugar) is often served at breakfasts, mealtimes, and regular tea times. This is due to the cultural influence of the British colonialists who often took tea.
The Kenyan style of brewing tea is also similar to the Indian method but with African influences. The major difference is that whole milk is used just as much as water in Kenyan tea. In fact, the milk is first brewed before the tea leaves and other ingredients are added. Kenya is the third largest producer of milk in Africa.
So when you visit Kenya, expect a cup of tea or milk with every served meal!
Why is Kenyan Tea Considered the Best in the World?
Kenyan tea is considered the best in the world for the following reasons:
- Kenya has the perfect climate and high altitude for growing tea.
- Kenyan soil has a high concentration of volcanic soil rich in magnesium, potassium, and calcium.
- Kenya offers a wide array of teas from its popular black tea to its rare, expensive white tea.
- Kenyan farmers use traditional processing methods. The tender plucking and processing of the tea leaves, buds and shoots retains its natural taste and flavours.
- Kenyan teas have the strongest distinct taste and quality. You can confirm this by drinking a cup of Kenyan tea and a cup of another kind of tea.
- The Kenyan Tea Packers Ltd (KETEPA) ensures equitable trade practices for all workers involved in the production process. Fair practices + motivated workers + rich soil & perfect climate + meticulous processing = the best tea.
- Kenyan teas are rarely blends. The teas are pure, unmixed, and unblended.
- Kenyan tea is brewed with whole milk, which makes the tea even tastier.
Conclusion
Tea is generally good for your health, and well processed tea? Even better! Kenyan tea has immense health benefits for all ages and is available on BAM. Don’t miss out on living healthy; get a taste of Kenyan tea as soon BAM can deliver!
Check out this article on where you can buy accessories from the Kenyan Maasai Market online here.
