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Country of Origin: Kenya
Leaf Appearance: slender, silvery buds
Water Temperature: 175 degrees
Steep Time: 3 minutes
Preparation Method: glass infuser
Liquor: pale gold
JusTea is a company I have a lot of nostalgia for because I interviewed them way back when they began as a crowdfunding campaign in 2013. Since then, they have continued to support small-scale farmers in Kenya. JusTea recently sent me some samples for review, so I’m excited to dive back into their offerings. First up is the Kenyan White Rhino. This hand-picked white tea was sun-dried, and it is Fair Trade Certified.
Leaf
The dry leaves of Kenyan White Rhino were comprised of slender, unopened buds covered in silvery trichomes. They are less plump but longer than what you might be used to from China’s Bai Hao Yin Zhen. This is partly because it isn’t made using the Da Bai cultivar. Kenya also primarily grows the Assamica variety of the Camellia Sinensis.
The leaves had a lovely, sweet floral aroma. I prepared this tea in a glass infuser using 175℉ water and a 3 minute infusion time. That was increased to 6 minutes on the second infusion as recommended by JusTea. I was able to see lots of trichomes floating around as the tea brewed.
Liquor
Kenyan White Rhino brewed up a pale gold color. The taste was mild with a sweet floral character that echoed the dry leaf aroma. It was slightly vegetal with notes of orchard hay, jasmine, and a creaminess that reminded me of whipped honey. There was no bitterness or astringency at all. The second infusion was even sweeter than the first round, with a nectar-like effect lingering in the aftertaste.
I highly recommend this tea to anyone who enjoys white tea. Its floral notes would also appeal to oolong fans. Kenya is known primarily for producing commodity black tea, but specialty offerings like this are proof that the region can offer so much more. I love supporting companies like JusTea that are working to empower small-scale farmers in Kenya.
Have you ever tried white tea from Kenya? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below!
Kenyan White Rhino sample provided for review by JusTea.
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