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Black tea · Highland CTC

Kenya Black

8.2/10 editor's score

Strong, brisk black tea from Kenya's highlands, mostly made by the CTC method. A backbone of British tea bags.

CTCStrongTakes milk
↓ Jump to brew guideAbout this teaCompare

Based on published sources, not yet tasted.

Dry leaf of Kenya Black, top-down

What you need

2.5 g leafKenya Black
250 ml water95 to 100°C
Steep 2:302 steeps
LiquorBright coppery red
Served inTeapot and cup

At a glance

Strong, brisk black tea from Kenya's highlands, mostly made by the CTC method.

CaffeineMedium to high~40 to 70 mg, our estimate
MilkAdd milk if you like.
Beginner fit9.0 / 10From the editor's score
HarvestAll yearKenya picks tea all year.
Pairs withFull breakfast, Biscuits, Chips and savoury snacksLess good with delicate sweets
Grown atAbout 1,500 to 2,700 mKericho, Rift Valley
Served inTeapot and cupA general choice

About Kenya Black

What sources say about the taste

Sources describe Kenyan tea as bright, brisk and strong with a coppery liquor, ideal for blends that take milk 1.

01 · Aroma

First sip

Lift the cup and smell before you drink.

02 · Taste

Middle

Let it sit on the tongue for a moment.

03 · Finish

Finish

What stays after you swallow.

Hover or tap a noteBigger image and more dots mean a stronger note.

Notes and intensities are an editor's summary of published tasting notes, not our own tasting.

Where it grows

KerichoRift ValleyKENYA
Region
Kericho and highlands either side of the Rift Valley 1
Elevation
About 1,500 to 2,700 m 1
Growers
Many smallholders 1
Exports
A leading black tea exporter 1

More from Kericho and Kenya.

History and culture

Tea was first planted in Kenya in 1903 at Limuru. Large estates followed in Kericho 1.

The Kenya Tea Development Agency supports many smallholder farmers 1.

Editor's score

8.2/10

Weighted across six criteria: flavour 30%, heritage 20%, availability 15%, value 15%, beginners 10%, versatility 10%.

Based on published sources, not yet tasted. Rates the tea style, not a brand. How we score →

1086Flavour & complexity: 7.0Origin & heritage: 7.5Availability: 9.5Value: 9.5Beginner-friendliness: 9.0Versatility: 8.5Flavour 7.0Heritage 7.5Availability 9.5Value 9.5Beginners 9.0Versatility 8.5
Taste profile and caffeine

Profile is an editor's summary of published tasting notes, not a lab measurement or our own tasting.

Caffeine

Brewed coffee~95 mg
Kenya Black~40 to 70 mg
Black tea (average)~47 mg
Green tea (average)~28 mg

Our estimate. CTC tea brews fast and strong. Per 8 fl oz (240 ml) cup. Coffee and tea averages from Mayo ClinicC.

Harvest calendar

Close to the equator, Kenyan tea grows all year. Tap a month or a season.

Cultivars and plant

Clonal Camellia sinensis, often var. assamica types, including purple-leaf cultivars 1.

How it is made
02Withering

In troughs.

03CTC

Crush, tear, curl.

04Oxidation

Full and fast.

05Drying

Fired.

Dry leaf and liquor
Dry leafSmall, round, dark granules.
LiquorBright coppery red.
After steeping
Wet leafCoppery.

The colour swatch is an approximate guide, not a photograph.

Food pairings and storage

Works well

  • Full breakfast
  • Biscuits
  • Chips and savoury snacks

Best avoided

  • Delicate sweets

Pairings are general suggestions from the tea's style, not tested matches.

Storage

  • Airtight, opaque tin or pouch, away from light, heat, moisture and strong smells.
  • Keep it out of the fridge unless fully sealed, to avoid condensation.
  • Most loose tea is at its best within a year. Note the harvest date on the tin.
Grades and fakes

CTC grades include BP1, PF1 and PD, set by particle size 2.

How to spot a poor or fake one

  1. Whole-leaf orthodox Kenyan teas are rare but growing.
  2. Look for a factory or estate name.
FAQ
Is Kenyan tea in my tea bags?

Probably. Kenyan tea is a big part of many UK blends.

Find it inBlack teasTeas from KenyaKerichoCTCStrongTakes milk

Sources

  1. Wikipedia, "Tea production in Kenya". en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tea_production_in_Kenya
  2. Wikipedia, "Tea leaf grading". en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tea_leaf_grading
  3. Mayo Clinic, "Caffeine content for coffee, tea, soda and more". www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/caffeine/art-20049372

Scores and content updated 30 Oct 2026.