Kenyan Tea: A Journey Through Kenya's Most Popular Export

Nestled in the lush green hills of Kenya lies a beverage that has captured the hearts and taste buds of tea lovers around the world - Kenyan tea. Trust me, if you are a tea lover from the Western world, this tea is familiar to you more than you know. The deep reddish color of your English breakfast tea might arise from Kenyan tea hiding behind the brand. Or the rich taste and boldness of your everyday tea could be from a Kenyan-origin tea without you knowing it. However, until recently, Kenyan tea was used as a blended tea with many other origin teas rather than pure or unblended tea. So the chances are high that you might not be familiar with the concept of Kenyan tea or the true properties of this tea. This article will take you on a journey to this fantastic African tea legacy and some best tea blends evolving from Kenyan culture. 

What Is Kenyan Tea?

Kenya is the world's leading exporter of black tea, yet the country produces many other tea types too. Kenyan green teas & Kenyan purple teas are a few famous examples. The tea made in Kenya is renowned for its high quality and distinctive flavor, attributed to the country's unique climate, soil, and production methods. On the other hand, Kenyan tea is one of the favorite picks of tea blenders as a flavor enhancer. The Kenyan tea cultivation sector includes large plantations as well as small-scale farmers. However, when it comes to tea processing, the country uses traditional and modern methods to create a unique and distinct taste.

Kenya, as a tea-producing nation, focuses mainly on black tea. However, the country produces many other tea types as well. Kenyan Green tea, white tea, purple tea, and specialty teas are a few such tea types that are gaining popularity worldwide. Apart from enjoying it pure, Kenyan teas are ideal for creating innovative blends, recipes, and flavored options. Below are our top picks for Kenyan teas, and as a tea lover, you will surely love this collection.

Most Popular Kenyan Teas & Where to Buy

Kenyan black tea

Kenyan black tea is the most common and well-known type of Kenyan tea. In most cases, Kenyan black tea production involves "CTC'' (Crush-tear-Curl) style production; however, certain producers use "orthodox" style production too. This excellent tea inherits a strong, bold, rich flavor with a bright reddish-brown hue. Certain fine tea varieties even get described as having notes of citrus and honey, with a malty or earthy undertone. You can enjoy this incredibly flavorful tea pure or use it to brew your bellowed breakfast or iced tea. If you are craving authentic Kenyan black tea, look no further than our Maravi Breakfast African Black Tea, which comes directly from the tea gardens of Kenya.

Kenyan earl gray tea

Kenyan Earl Grey is a black tea flavored with bergamot oil, giving it a distinctly citrusy and floral aroma and taste. Earl Grey is one of the most popular flavored teas in the world. So when it comes to the Kenyan version, the tea has gained even more popularity due to the unique flavor of Kenyan black tea. Kenyan Earl Grey is often enjoyed with a splash of milk and a sweetener, such as honey or sugar, although it can also be enjoyed on its own. The tea is a popular afternoon tea, and its bright and floral flavor is often paired with delicate pastries and desserts. At Asami, we have made our Earl Gray tea special by adding a creamy-sweet edge to the smooth and citrusy bergamot tea. This Cream Vanilla Kenyan Earl Grey Tea is a true crowd-pleaser!

Kenyan spiced oolong tea

As a leading black tea producer, oolong tea is not traditionally produced in Kenya. However, some tea producers in Kenya have started making different varieties and blends, including oolong tea. With inspiration from other masala tea recipes worldwide, Asami tea masters have created an irresistible black tea blend with warming spices. This Kenyan Spiced Oolong Tea combines spices, such as cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, cacao nibs, black peppercorn, cloves, and chicory, to create a warm and fragrant brew. The tea itself produces a lighter brew and merges perfectly with the spicy hints from all the other ingredients. This sensational tea is a flavorful and aromatic tea that is best enjoyed on its own, without milk or sugar, to fully appreciate the nuances of its flavor.

Kenyan purple tea

Kenyan purple tea is a relatively new yet highly sought-after tea that gains its popularity due to its unique flavor and health benefits. This tea is made from the leaves of a rare tea cultivar with purple leaves. The striking purple color of this plant arises from a compound group called anthocyanins, & this compound comes with excellent antioxidant properties. This specialty tea has a mild, sweet taste with a slightly earthy or floral aroma. Kenyan purple tea is often enjoyed on its own, without milk or sugar, to fully appreciate its unique flavor and health benefits. Our Tumoi Purple African Tea resembles all these original features of Kenyan purple tea and is a must-try if you love these specialty tea varieties.

Kenyan green tea

Even though Kenya is renowned for its black tea production, the country also produces small portions of green tea. Kenyan green tea is typically grown on small-scale farms in Kenya, and the leaves are typically hand-picked. This refreshing green tea has a light, vegetal flavor profile with subtle earthy and sweet undertones. Kenyan green tea is also high in antioxidants like any other green tea. On the other hand, Kenyan green tea is ideal for blending and flavoring for better indulgence. At Asami, we have elevated our green tea blend into a minty sensation & this Casablanca Mint African Tea is a must-try!

Mombasa Island tea

If you are a fan of both cocoa and tea, look no further!. As a specialty African black tea provider, we have created a special brew combining black tea, cocoa shells, and other sweet and spicy ingredients. In this blend, the robustness of the black tea is balanced by the subtle sweetness and spicy hints of the cocoa shells and other components. This unique combination results in a harmonious, satisfying, and comforting flavor profile. Whether you prefer hot or iced tea, our Mombasa Island tea blend is a delicious and satisfying choice for any tea lover!

Conclusion

Kenya is an amazing county that gifts the world with its finest tea. Kenyan black tea is the most popular type of all and is a highly sought-after tea for creating rich & robust black tea blends. However, the country also produces many other tea types, and Kenyan purple and Kenya green tea are a few such examples. Besides consuming pure black or green tea, Kenyan teas are ideal for fusing into creative tea blends. Kenyan earl gray or Kenyan spiced oolong teas are examples of these creative tea blend ideas. As a tea lover, it is a must to explore all these flavor shades of Kenyan tea, and at Asami, we are fully committed to bringing these hidden flavors into the world.