When you hear the word ‘Africa’, what is the first thing that comes to mind?
Pop culture has led many to imagine the entire continent of Africa as hot, dry and full of wild animals. While the animals are there, Africa has so much more to offer! Each country in Africa has its own climates, cultures and amazing beauty. The following is just one example.
Kenya, a moderately-sized country on the eastern coast of Africa, certainly has its share of changing climates. Along the coast of the Indian Ocean, the air is warm and humid. Further inland, you’ll find savannahs teeming with wildlife. The North will bring arid, desert-like conditions, and the West, temperate cooler weather, due to the hills and valleys.
Believe it or not, Kenya also has a deep culture steeped in tea (pun intended). The Rift Valley area of the country is a mountainous region, with tea plantations everywhere you turn. The majority of tea produced in Kenya is black tea. However, many tea estates have begun producing green, white or yellow tea upon request.
A British settler, G.W.L. Caine first introduced tea to the Kenyan lands in 1903. Production became commercialized in 1924, and has grown substantially over the years, with only China and India surpassing them in output standings. Though there are many plantations in Kenya, the largest in the world has its home in Kericho, located west of the Rift Valley. Its high altitude and almost daily rains provide the perfect environment for lush, green fields of delicate tea.
Other plantation locations include, but are not limited to, Nandi, Meru, Nyamira, Nyeri, Murang’a and many more!
What’s the best part about Kenyan tea? It’s proven to be higher in antioxidants than any other tea produced! So the next time you shop for tea, do your research. If you find tea sourced from Kenya, don’t hesitate to try it!
Download your own copy of the Kenyan tea map! Just click the image to open a PDF in a new window.
Did you know?
The African elephant, the largest living land animal in the world, can weigh up to 7 tons.
“Kenya’s Treasure of Tea” was presented by
