Kenya Kericho Black Tea
Bright, brisk Kenyan black tea from Kericho, the town at the center of the country's tea.
Kericho is the highland town on the edge of the Mau Forest where Kenya's tea industry took root in the 1920s. Its black tea is mostly CTC, bright and brisk, with a malty cup and a coppery color. Brewed in a teapot at 95°C.
Sensory profile
How it unfolds
Where it sits
That is 58 mg in one serving (6–8 oz cup (180–240 ml)), a concentration of 27.6 mg per 100 ml. The scale above ranks whole servings, and servings differ in size, so a larger drink can sit further right while being weaker cup for cup.
Editorial estimate, not a laboratory measurement
Related gear
Related reading
| Brewing method | Teapot |
|---|---|
| Brew ratio | 1:72 |
| Dose & yield | 2.9g → 210g |
| Grind size | CTC Granules |
| Water temperature | 203°F / 95°C |
| Target brew time | 2:30-3:30 |
| Serving | 6–8 oz cup (180–240 ml) |
What you need
- 2.9 g loose-leaf black tea
- 210 g filtered water at 95°C
Required gear
Step-by-step protocol
- 0:00Warm the pot with hot water and pour it away, so the brewing water does not lose heat to cold ceramic.
- 0:10Add 2.9 g of leaf to the pot or basket, leaving room for it to open.
- 0:20Pour 210 g of water at 95°C over the leaf and cover. Start the timer.
- 3:20Remove the leaf or decant completely. Leaf left in the pot keeps extracting and turns the last cup bitter.
What it may be good for
The caffeine count
We list about 58 mg for a 6 to 8 oz (180 to 240 ml) cup, made with 2.5 to 3 g of CTC leaf per 200 ml.
Granules brew fast
CTC granules give up their color and strength in a few minutes. If the cup is too strong, shorten the steep before you cut the leaf.
What to watch out for
- Caffeine affects everyone differently. If you are pregnant or nursing, sensitive to caffeine, or have been told to limit it, check with your doctor about how much tea is right for you.
Kericho is the highland town on the edge of the Mau Forest where Kenya's tea industry took root in the 1920s. Its black tea is mostly CTC, bright and brisk, with a malty cup and a coppery color. Brewed in a teapot at 95°C.
Origin & Story
Kenya's tea story begins small. In 1903 G.W.L. Caine planted the first tea bushes at Limuru, near Nairobi, and in 1924 Malcolm Fyers Bell set up the first commercial estates, for Brooke Bond. Today Kenya is a leading exporter of black tea, with exports worth more than a billion dollars a year.
Kericho, in the highlands west of the Rift Valley, is where the industry grew. British settlers founded the town in 1902, and it sits on the edge of the Mau Forest in a warm, temperate climate that suits tea. Large estates, among them those of James Finlay and Williamson Tea, surround it, and Kericho is described as home to the world's largest single tea plantation.
Most Kenyan tea is made by the CTC method, which crushes the leaf into small granules that brew fast, dark and strong. It is sold at the Mombasa auction, and the usual grades are PF1, pekoe fannings, which make up well over half of the output, BP1, broken pekoe, and PD, pekoe dust.
Sellers describe Kenyan black tea as bright and brisk, with a strong, coppery color and a malty depth, and it is often used in milk tea and blends. Use water at about 95°C and 3 g of CTC leaf for 240 ml, steep for two and a half to three and a half minutes in a teapot, and add milk if you like.
Reading the Flavor Profile
| Axis | Score |
|---|---|
| Sweetness | 65/100 |
| Acidity | 65/100 |
| Bitterness | 50/100 |
| Body | 70/100 |
| Aroma | 80/100 |
These values are comparative editorial positions within our own catalog, calibrated so entries can be ranked against each other. They are not laboratory measurements.
How much caffeine is in Kenya Kericho Black Tea?
One serving, 6–8 oz cup (180–240 ml), contains approximately 58 mg of caffeine.
What temperature should I use for Kenya Kericho Black Tea?
Target 95°C (203°F).
How long should Kenya Kericho Black Tea be extracted?
Timing: 2:30-3:30. Method: Teapot. Ratio: 2.5–3g per 200ml water. Grind or leaf format: CTC Granules.
Where is Kericho?
Kericho is a highland town in western Kenya, on the edge of the Mau Forest and west of the Rift Valley. It is the center of Kenya's large tea estates.
What do PF1 and BP1 mean on Kenyan tea?
They are grades of CTC tea. PF1 is pekoe fannings, which makes up most of Kenya's output, BP1 is broken pekoe, and PD is pekoe dust.
Who should avoid Kenya Kericho Black Tea?
Caffeine affects everyone differently. If you are pregnant or nursing, sensitive to caffeine, or have been told to limit it, check with your doctor about how much tea is right for you. This information is educational and is not medical advice. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, managing a cardiac or gastrointestinal condition, or taking prescription medication, discuss caffeine and botanical intake with a qualified healthcare professional before making changes.
What people say
Borosilicate Glass Teapot with Infuser
In this recipe: Teapot with room for the leaf to open
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