What is Purple Tea?
Purple tea is a unique cultivar of the species Camellia Sinensis, the same plant used to produce black, green, and oolong teas. The name "Camellia" comes from the botanist Georg Kamel, while "Sinensis" means "from China" in Latin, indicating the plant's origins where European explorers first discovered the cultivation and use of this evergreen shrub.
What sets Purple Tea apart is its distinct purple hue, derived from anthocyanin, the same antioxidants found in blueberries and other blue/purple plants. These anthocyanins not only give the tea its vibrant colour but also contribute significantly to its health benefits, including anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and heart health properties.
The unique combination of color and health-promoting compounds makes Kenyan Purple Tea an exceptional and sought-after variety in the global tea market.
Kenyan Purple Tea
There are two main varieties under cultivation of the species Camellia Sinensis: var. Sinensis and var. Assamica. The latter was planted from India in 1903 to introduce tea in Kenya, and the large-leaf tea leaves and buds have since been used to produce high-quality Kenyan tea.
Originating from Kenya, Purple Tea was developed through selective breeding of wild Purple-Leafed tea bushes found in the Assam region of India. The Tea Research Foundation of Kenya spent 25 years perfecting this variety to create a tea that is rich in antioxidants and low in caffeine.
Grown at high altitudes (between 4,500 and 7,500 feet), the plant's high levels of antioxidants protect the leaves from high exposure to ultraviolet rays. Because of this altitude, no pesticides are used or required.
Purple Tea Characteristics
Leaf: Kenyan Purple Tea is entirely natural, with no dyes or unnatural additives. The leaves grow green and flush to a purple coloration as they mature.
Leaf infusion: When brewed, the infusion varies from a light to a dark purple hue.
Cup Liquor/Colour: Purple Tea produces a light reddish to dark purple liquor, adding a visually appealing aspect to its consumption.
Flavour: Purple Tea offers a unique flavour profile, ranging from a mild, grassy taste similar to green tea to a more robust, woody flavour. This versatility makes it appealing to a wide range of palates.
This tea is also versatile in its applications, available in various forms including loose leaf, tea bags, ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages, and even supplements.
Versatility: The tea is also versatile in its applications, available in various forms including loose leaf, tea bags, ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages, and supplements, making it adaptable to different consumer preferences and needs.
Health Benefits: Kenyan Purple Tea stands out not only for its unique taste and vibrant colour but also for its extensive health benefits. These include reducing inflammation, supporting heart health, and providing anti-cancer properties. The high antioxidant content, particularly anthocyanins, contributes to these benefits, making purple tea an attractive option for health-conscious consumers.
This is also the only known cultivar to contain anthocyanin, the flavonoid responsible for giving certain fruits and vegetables, their purplish color. The word anthocyanin is derived from two Greek words anthos, (flower), and kyanos, which means dark blue, revealing their important characteristic as natural colorants.
Science confirms Health* Benefits of Kenyan Purple Tea
The health benefits of Purple Tea are supported by ongoing scientific studies. Anthocyanin found in Kenyan Purple Tea may benefit brain health, lower inflammation, and combat cancer and heart disease. The caffeine content is significantly lower than in black and green tea, making it an excellent choice for health-conscious consumers. Kenyan Purple Tea benefits extend to weight management, cardiovascular health, and enhanced cognitive function.
For those wondering, "What does Kenyan Purple Tea do for skin?" the high levels of antioxidants in the tea can protect the skin from free radical damage, improve elasticity, and reduce wrinkles and fine lines.
For more on the medicinal value of Kenyan Purple Tea benefits, we've covered a great deal on this unique Purple Leaf Tea.
Below is a more scientific breakdown of the compounds found in Purple Tea.
*Disclaimer: This for informational purposes only and not intended to replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek professional medical advice before choosing home remedies.
How is Purple Tea Processed
Purple Tea undergoes a meticulous process, similar to that of oolong teas, ensuring its unique flavour and health benefits are preserved:
Harvesting: Hand-picked to select the finest leaves and buds.
Withering: Leaves are spread out to wilt, reducing moisture content and making them pliable.
Steaming: Prevents oxidation, locks in the purple color, and retains anthocyanins and delicate flavours.
Rolling: Breaks down cell walls to release essential oils, enhancing aroma and flavour. The leaves can be twisted or tightly rolled.
Shaping and Drying: Ensures the leaves are completely dry and ready for storage or packaging, further developing the flavour profile.
Sorting and Grading: Leaves are sorted and graded, for consistency and quality.
Types of Purple Tea
The appearance, shape, and flavour can vary depending on the region where it’s grown and how it’s processed. Buyers can customize the types of Purple Tea for their target market through skilled tea masters. This customization can result in:
Purple Tea Whole leaf
Purple Tea - Hand-rolled - small, long, and twisted
Purple Tea - Lu
Purple Tea - ball-shaped
Purple Tea Orthodox
Purple FOP
Purple OP1
Purple GFBOP
Purple FOF
Grand Cru Purple Tea
Delicately fine-tuned tea from highly skilled tea masters, tended by exclusive order.
Purple Tea Rolled - 1 leaf and bud
Purple Tea Tips
What does Purple Tea taste like?
The taste of Kenyan Purple Tea can vary, with some types having a light body and mellow flavour, while others have a pleasant and woody flavour. When steeped with less than boiling water, the tea has less astringency and tastes more like green tea.
Adding lemon can neutralize the flavour for those who may find it unpalatable. Brands like KABAKI Purple Tea have discovered interesting ways to enhance the taste using different fruity fusions and varieties. Discover other top tea brands offering the tasty health benefits of Kenyan Purple Tea to customers worldwide.
A guide to buying the right Kenyan Purple Tea
The quality of purple tea, like any other variety, is usually assessed by skilled tea tasters through sight, touch, smell, and taste. They also consider growing conditions and characteristics such as the appearance of the tea before preparation of liquor, the appearance of the infused leaf, and the aroma and taste of the final liquor to determine the best taste preferred in different markets.
Opportunities for Purple Tea
Kenyan Purple Tea offers numerous opportunities:
Blending with black or green tea for extra benefits
Use in drug supplements, preservatives, and other industrial applications
Polyphenol extracts beneficial in pharmacological and industrial uses
Development of more instant teas such as Ready To Drink (RTD) teas
Incorporation into healthcare products, foods, and confectioneries
Why Choose Us When Buying Kenyan Purple Tea?
Begin your journey with a trusted partner in the Kenyan tea industry.
Having tested thousands of teas, we export outstanding quality regularly and take pride in offering tea importers some of the rarest and most authentic Purple Teas from Kenya. We specialize in single-origin and single-harvest teas from independent artisan farmers in Central Kenya, a region prized for its terroir, masterful processing, and exclusive production quantities.
Our straightforward 3-STEP process helps both buyers and sellers assess compatibility for their Kenyan tea needs.
Take the first step today and schedule a consultation. Contact us to promptly address all your inquiries about Kenyan Purple Tea and discover firsthand the value that a dedicated, knowledgeable, and reliable Kenyan tea supplier can bring to achieving your business goals.
Special thanks to Samson Kamunya, Ph.D. Plant Breeder & Centre Director, Tea Research Institute of Kenya.