Rwanda Gisovu Black Tea
Malt, honey and a clean, bright finish from a high estate in western Rwanda.
Gisovu is a tea estate and factory in Karongi District in western Rwanda, at about 2,178 meters, near Nyungwe National Park. Its black tea is brisk and malty, with honey and a clean finish. Brewed in a teapot at 95°C.
Sensory profile
You should taste
How it unfolds
Where it sits
That is 55 mg in one serving (6–8 oz cup (180–240 ml)), a concentration of 26.2 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
| Brewing method | Teapot |
|---|---|
| Brew ratio | 1:81 |
| Dose & yield | 2.6g → 210g |
| Grind size | Whole Leaf |
| Water temperature | 203°F / 95°C |
| Target brew time | 2:30-3:30 |
| Serving | 6–8 oz cup (180–240 ml) |
What you need
- 2.6 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 2.6 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 55 mg for a 6 to 8 oz (180 to 240 ml) cup, made with 2 to 3 g of leaf per 200 ml.
A small, careful cup
This page suits a cup of 180 to 240 ml. If the cup tastes thin, add a little more leaf instead of steeping longer.
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.
Gisovu is a tea estate and factory in Karongi District in western Rwanda, at about 2,178 meters, near Nyungwe National Park. Its black tea is brisk and malty, with honey and a clean finish. Brewed in a teapot at 95°C.
Origin & Story
Rwanda is a small country with a big tea habit. Tea is one of its largest exports, grown in volcanic soils in the cool western and northern hills, and it first went into the ground in the twentieth century; 1952 is the date often given. Estates on the TeaTrade directory range from about 1,400 to 2,190 meters, and Gisovu's factory is listed at 2,178 meters.
Gisovu Tea Factory sits in Karongi District, about 180 kilometers from Kigali and near Nyungwe National Park, and it supplies the buyer Finlays. It is privately owned, and one account dates the factory to 1977 and another to 1983.
Rwandan tea is mostly CTC black tea, with a small amount of orthodox and green tea. Until 2004 a state body, OCIR-Thé, ran the sector, and since privatization that year all the factories have been privately owned. More than 30,000 smallholdings and some 60,000 households make a living from tea.
High altitude and a cool climate slow the growth of the leaf, and sellers describe the tea of Rwanda's highlands as bright and brisk with a clean finish. Use water at about 95°C and 2.5 g of leaf for 200 ml, steep for two and a half to three and a half minutes in a teapot, and taste it plain.
Reading the Flavor Profile
| Axis | Score |
|---|---|
| Sweetness | 65/100 |
| Acidity | 60/100 |
| Bitterness | 45/100 |
| Body | 65/100 |
| Aroma | 75/100 |
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 Rwanda Gisovu Black Tea?
One serving, 6–8 oz cup (180–240 ml), contains approximately 55 mg of caffeine.
What temperature should I use for Rwanda Gisovu Black Tea?
Target 95°C (203°F).
How long should Rwanda Gisovu Black Tea be extracted?
Timing: 2:30-3:30. Method: Teapot. Ratio: 2–3g per 200ml water. Grind or leaf format: Whole Leaf.
Where is Gisovu tea grown?
In Karongi District in western Rwanda, near Nyungwe National Park, at an altitude of about 2,178 meters at the factory.
Is Rwandan tea CTC or whole leaf?
Most of it is CTC black tea, with small amounts of orthodox and green tea.
Who should avoid Rwanda Gisovu 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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