Country of Origin: Kenya
Leaf Appearance: small, dark and somewhat twisted
Ingredients: black tea
Steep time: 3 minutes
Water Temperature: 212 degrees
Preparation Method: ceramic teacup and mesh infuser
Liquor: reddish brown
This was a bold and aromatic tea that would be a perfect cup to wake up with. There were floral and fruity notes with a lingering honey aftertaste. The finish was slightly astringent and full of tannins but it never became overly bitter. It would take milk and sugar well but I think that it stands just as easily on it its own. Three minutes may seem light for a black tea but I think steeping any longer would overdo it. It’s exciting to see higher quality loose leaf teas coming out of Kenya. Wanja Tea is one of the several retailers now working to support small, family owned tea farms. I previously reviewed their Purple Tea and enjoyed it very much. Contrary to popular belief Orange Pekoe is a grade of tea leaves and is not an actual type of tea. While the term is sometimes applied to generic black teas, it generally refers to a medium-grade tea consisting of many whole leaves of a consistent size.
You can find out more about this tea here.