Kenya Nyeri Black Tea
Smallholder tea from the foothills of Mount Kenya: bright, brisk and clean.
Nyeri County lies in central Kenya, between the Aberdare Range and Mount Kenya, where small family farms sell leaf to factories run by the Kenya Tea Development Agency. Its black tea is bright and brisk. 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
How strong is it?
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.
Taste before the milk
Kenyan CTC takes milk well, but taste it plain first so you can judge the leaf before you add anything.
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.
Nyeri County lies in central Kenya, between the Aberdare Range and Mount Kenya, where small family farms sell leaf to factories run by the Kenya Tea Development Agency. Its black tea is bright and brisk. Brewed in a teapot at 95°C.
Origin & Story
Nyeri is in the central Kenyan highlands, between the Aberdare Range and Mount Kenya. The town sits at about 1,750 meters, and tea gardens on the slopes run up to about 2,000 meters; coffee and tea are the main cash crops of the area.
Much of Nyeri's tea comes from smallholders. The Kenya Tea Development Agency runs 66 factories for more than 500,000 small farmers across 17 counties, Nyeri among them, and farmers in its system grow over 60% of all Kenyan tea. Factories near Nyeri include Ragati, at about 1,996 meters, and Chinga, which was commissioned in December 1963.
The leaf is picked by hand and made into CTC tea at the village factory, then sold at the Mombasa tea auction. Kenya ranks third in the world for tea exports, after China and India. A few small farms near Nyeri also make whole-leaf teas for the specialty market, one of them on a farm at about 2,000 meters at the foot of Mount Kenya.
Kenyan black tea is described as malty, with a tart blackcurrant brightness and a coppery liquor, and it carries milk and sugar well. Brew 3 g of leaf in 240 ml of water at about 95°C for two and a half to three and a half minutes in a teapot, and taste before you add milk.
Reading the Flavor Profile
| Axis | Score |
|---|---|
| Sweetness | 65/100 |
| Acidity | 70/100 |
| Bitterness | 45/100 |
| Body | 70/100 |
| Aroma | 85/100 |
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 Nyeri Black Tea?
One serving, 6–8 oz cup (180–240 ml), contains approximately 58 mg of caffeine.
What temperature should I use for Kenya Nyeri Black Tea?
Target 95°C (203°F).
How long should Kenya Nyeri 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 Nyeri tea grown?
In Nyeri County in central Kenya, between the Aberdare Range and Mount Kenya, on smallholder farms at roughly 1,750 to 2,000 meters.
Who makes Nyeri tea?
Mostly small family farmers, who sell their leaf to factories run by the Kenya Tea Development Agency. Farmers in the agency's system grow over 60% of Kenya's tea.
Who should avoid Kenya Nyeri 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
Affiliate link: CupCura may earn a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you. We have not tested this product ourselves. Disclosure
Drinks like this one
Kenya Kericho Black Tea
Bright, brisk Kenyan black tea from Kericho, the town at the center of the country's tea.
Orthodox Black TeaKenya Purple-Leaf Black Tea
A plum and berry cup from Kenya's purple-leaf cultivar, released in 2011.
Orthodox Black TeaAssam Golden Tips Black Tea
Malt, honey and a brisk, bright cup, made with the golden buds of Assam's second flush.
Orthodox Black TeaYorkshire Breakfast Blend
A brisk, malty black tea blend made in Yorkshire, strong enough for a big mug and plenty of milk.