Kenyan Tea

Goodness it’s been a while since I posted! What’s been happening since I last posted I hear you ask? (I don’t hear you ask but this is where I make lame excuses about not posting on a regular basis) Well I moved house which turned out to be far more strenuous than I initially thought. We had so many boxes that I didn’t discover the oven for three days. And when I did, I found that it hadn’t been cleaned. I also left my camera at work for safekeeping – it’s one of the most precious things we own and I was scared it’d get damaged during the move. I was determined to do it this weekend. Brilliant! I thought, finally some free time and I get this blog post wrapped up before next week. And then I was struck down with food poisoning. On Saturday I didn’t move off the sofa at all. So frustrating! Luckily I am now house sitting the farm in Norfolk, looking after my sister and dogs while my parents are away and we’re going for cream teas and taking a trip to Wells-Next-The-Sea for salami delights and to pick up some Bray’s Cottage pies.

And so to tea. I’ve been sent this package by The Tea Board of Kenya which contained three types of tea – Kenya Estate Milima Leaf Tea, Kaamba Loose Leaf Tea and Kenya Marinyn Garden Tea.

Kenya is Africa’s largest producer of tea and us Brits are getting more experimental with the loose leaf, single estate and rare teas from around the world. Kenyan tea has higher levels of antioxidants compared to other countries teas – great for the fight against wrinkles and cancer!

What about the teas themselves?

Milima Leaf Tea is from a single estate which makes it rare. It’s an orthodox tea which means the leaves “are heavily rolled either by hand or mechanically on a cylindrical rolling table or a rotorvane.” (nice one Wikipedia) It’s an orange pekoe (my favourite that my mum and I usually have at Christmas) so it’s got a malty flavour so it’s good for winding down at the end of the day and according to the info it has an aromatic, fruity and spicy taste with a hint of floral.

Kaamba Loose Leaf Tea is really fine – I almost wondered whether it was instant coffee granules when I got it out of the bag! This gives it a really malty flavour along with hints of current. It also has really high levels of antioxidants. Looks like a proper cuppa when you make it! You can mix the Milima Kaamba tea together to give you a strong malty flavoured tea.

Kenya Marinyn Garden Tea – I love the description of where this one is grown as it’s cultivated in the highlands at altitudes of up to 9000ft. I have this vision of misty mountains! The location gives it a fresh crisp aroma with a sweeter flavour – great for perking you up!

Mixing it all up

I was asked to make my own blend – check out my loose leaf tea pot! I bought it in Thailand when I was travelling and it cost £1! I gave it to my mum who never used it, so I resurrected it from the cellar and started using it again. I mixed 1tsp of each of the teas plus one extra of the Milima because I love orange pekoe so much. I love the taste and even though I’m a die hard Yorkshire Tea fan as is Mr LTT and my mum everyone agree it packed a tasty punch. It had a lovely golden colour to it too and I only added a splash of milk to it too.

The Kambaa tea is available from The Tea Master

Kenya Marinyn Garden tea is available from Imperial Teas

Milima tea is available from Kent & Sussex Tea And Coffee Co