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Kenyan Purple Tea

Purple tea

6.2/10 editor's score

A tea from Kenya whose leaves are naturally purple, from anthocyanins. Made to order by major producers and sold as its own type, purple tea. We list it with green teas for brewing.

UnusualPurple leafKenya
↓ Jump to brew guideAbout this teaCompare

Based on published sources, not yet tasted.

Dry leaf of Kenyan Purple Tea, top-down

What you need

2.5 g leafKenyan Purple Tea
250 ml water80 to 85°C
Steep 2:002 steeps
LiquorLight amber, sometimes pinkish
Served inTeapot and cup

At a glance

A tea from Kenya whose leaves are naturally purple, from anthocyanins.

CaffeineLow to medium~20 to 40 mg, our estimate
Beginner fit7.0 / 10From the editor's score
HarvestAll yearKenya picks all year.
Pairs withFruit, Light snacks, NutsLess good with heavy spice
Grown atKenyan HighlandsKericho, Rift Valley
Served inTeapot and cupA general choice

About Kenyan Purple Tea

What sources say about the taste

Sources describe its colour and origin, not a single taste; styles vary 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
Colour
Natural anthocyanins in the leaf 1
Category
Sold as its own type, purple tea 1
Breeding
Over 49 tea varieties from the TRFK 1
Kenya
Third in world tea exports 1

More from Kericho and Kenya.

History and culture

Tea was first planted in Kenya in 1903 at Limuru 1.

Commercial estates began in 1924 1.

Editor's score

6.2/10

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: 6.5Origin & heritage: 5.5Availability: 6.0Value: 6.5Beginner-friendliness: 7.0Versatility: 6.0Flavour 6.5Heritage 5.5Availability 6.0Value 6.5Beginners 7.0Versatility 6.0
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
Black tea (average)~47 mg
Kenyan Purple Tea~20 to 40 mg
Green tea (average)~28 mg

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

Harvest calendar

Equatorial highlands give year-round picking. Tap a month or a season.

Cultivars and plant

Camellia sinensis with leaves naturally coloured by anthocyanins 1.

How it is made
01Plucking

Leaf and bud.

02Processing

Made on order by major producers 1.

03Drying

Dried.

Dry leaf and liquor
Dry leafDark purple-brown twisted leaves.
LiquorLight amber, sometimes pinkish.
After steeping
Wet leafPurple-green leaves.

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

Food pairings and storage

Works well

  • Fruit
  • Light snacks
  • Nuts

Best avoided

  • Heavy spice

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

Storage

  • Airtight, opaque container, away from light, heat and smells.
  • Green tea fades fastest: aim to finish it within 3 to 6 months of opening.
  • Unopened sealed packs can go in the fridge. Let them reach room temperature before opening.
Grades and fakes

No standard grades; made to order 1.

How to spot a poor or fake one

  1. Ask how it was processed.
  2. Single-origin whole leaf is rarer 1.
FAQ
Why is it purple?

The leaves are naturally coloured by anthocyanins 1.

Find it inGreen teasTeas from KenyaKerichoUnusualPurple leafKenya

Sources

  1. Wikipedia, "Tea production in Kenya". en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tea_production_in_Kenya
  2. 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.