Review: Kenyan Black Tea and Kenyan Green Tea
Everyone knows I love a good old cup of tea. I usually have 2 cups of tea with my breakfast, one mid-morning and a couple in the afternoon. Once I get home from work and finally get the chance to put my feet up, I have more tea. I enjoy quite a few cups of tea every day, I love tea!
Kenyan tea is the UK’s best kept secret. Part of most teas here in Britain it’s the heart of a good cuppa – fresh, high quality and packed with health benefits.
In order to introduce me to the distinctive taste of Kenyan Teas I was sent two delicious teas and discover what’s truly at the heart of a good cuppa. I was sent Kenyan teas, black and green. Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Kenyan Fairtrade Fine Tea and Jani green tea directly from Kenya.
Kenya is a country famed for its long distance runners, just look at this year’s London Marathon winners. But that’s not the only impressive export from this beautiful East African country. Did you know that thanks to Kenya’s perfect climate along the Rift Valley, the country provides nearly 53% of the tea leaves we Brits drink in our daily cuppa?
Tea has been grown in Kenya since 1903 and quickly thrived thanks to the growing conditions, climate and altitude. Tea is grown in both large plantations and smallholdings across 180,000 hectares with production reaching up to 390 million kilos per year. Today Kenya is the largest producer of tea in Africa and one of the world’s largest black tea producers.Kenya tea has been proved to have higher levels of antioxidants compared to teas produced in other parts of the world.
After researching about Kenyan tea, I was keen to try it and I wasn’t disappointed.
Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Kenyan Fairtrade Fine Tea (RRP £1.29 for 125g) is grown in fair-trade tea gardens in the Kenyan highlands where the climate and altitude produce this fine tea with a full flavour. Loose tea is a great alternative to standard tea bags. You only need to brew it for 3 to 5 minutes to enjoy the true flavour and quality of the tea. It makes a wonderful cup of tea and I really enjoyed it!
Kenyan Tea is at the heart of many of Britain’s favourite teas blends making up the 165 million cups of tea we drink each and every day in the UK. As we approach a Summer of British celebration, we’ve no doubt there’ll be more tea consumed than ever before, so here’s a few reasons it should be Kenyan tea you’re drinking:
Her Majesty the Queen was visiting Kenya on the day she ascended to the throne – 6th February 1952. It’s remained a popular spot with the Royals, as it was also where Prince William and Kate Middleton got engaged in 2010.
Of the 78 Olympic medals Kenya has won since 1964, 69 were for athletics running events. With the exception of 2010, a Kenyan runner has won the men’s London Marathon every year since 2004. This year Wilson Kipsang was only four seconds behind the course record. Kenyan tea is grown within the regions that nurture the top athletes. Kenyan tea is uniquely refreshing and 100% disease and pest free.
Although I usually drink black tea, I really enjoyed Jani green tea directly from Kenya. It had a lovely flavour, however it was not overpowering. After only a few minutes, it changes from pale to a darker colour, and I could enjoy a refreshing green tea, great alternative to black tea. Unfortunately this green tea may not be on sale in the UK, however you could buy Kenyan green tea from Williamson Tea and specialist independent tea shops.
For more information regarding Kenyan teas, you might want to visit KTDA website, which is the Kenyan Tea Development Authority who undertake a lot of research and regulation of the tea industry in Kenya.
Besides Sainsbury’s, you could purchase Kenyan tea from M&S, the Pure Origin Kenyan tea bags come from Iriaini co-operative. Lahloo One of the largest ranges of Kenyan tea, including Grandpa’s Anytime Tea, a top-quality strong black traditional brew, and White Whisper, an unusual white tea. The Gilded Teapot Kenya Kaimosi, a malty tea with low enough tannins to drink with or without milk.
If you enjoy a good old cup of tea and would like to experience high quality tea and distinctive flavour, you should try Kenyan tea. Highly recommended black and green Kenyan teas!
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