Uganda Fort Portal Black Tea
Smooth, malty black tea from the tea country around Fort Portal, in western Uganda.
Fort Portal, at the foot of the Rwenzori Mountains in western Uganda, is the center of Uganda's tea country. Its black tea is mostly CTC, with a malty, deep amber cup. Brewed in a teapot at 95°C.
Sensory profile
How it unfolds
Where it sits
That is 50 mg in one serving (6–8 oz cup (180–240 ml)), a concentration of 23.8 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 | 1:72 |
| Dose & yield | 2.9g → 210g |
| Grind size | CTC / Fannings |
| 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
A number worth knowing
We list about 50 mg for a 6 to 8 oz (180 to 240 ml) cup, made with 2.5 to 3 g of leaf per 200 ml.
Watch the granules
CTC and fannings give up their color fast. If the cup turns harsh, shorten the steep by 30 seconds.
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.
Fort Portal, at the foot of the Rwenzori Mountains in western Uganda, is the center of Uganda's tea country. Its black tea is mostly CTC, with a malty, deep amber cup. Brewed in a teapot at 95°C.
Origin & Story
Western Uganda is the country's tea land, and Fort Portal, at the foot of the Rwenzori Mountains, is often called its tea capital. The districts of Kabarole and Kyenjojo around it are the main growing areas, and tea plantations carpet the hills east of the mountains.
Tea came early to Uganda. The first bushes were planted around 1900, in the botanical gardens at Entebbe, and commercial growing began in the 1920s. By the early 1970s the country made about 23,400 tons from 19,000 hectares. Then the political turmoil of the 1970s wrecked the industry, and by 1981 output was only about 5% of its 1974 level. Rehabilitation, with Commonwealth development money and investment from Indian companies, brought it back.
Today most Ugandan tea is CTC black tea. Roughly a fifth of it comes from smallholders, by one account, and growers' factories such as Mabale, in Kyenjojo about 20 kilometers from Fort Portal, and Mpanga, in Fort Portal, buy their leaf. In 1993 Rwenzori Commodities, the maker of Mukwano tea, bought abandoned estates in Kabarole and Kyenjojo.
It is a malty cup that takes milk 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 it plain first.
Reading the Flavor Profile
| Axis | Score |
|---|---|
| Sweetness | 65/100 |
| Acidity | 55/100 |
| Bitterness | 40/100 |
| Body | 70/100 |
| 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 Uganda Fort Portal Black Tea?
One serving, 6–8 oz cup (180–240 ml), contains approximately 50 mg of caffeine.
What temperature should I use for Uganda Fort Portal Black Tea?
Target 95°C (203°F).
How long should Uganda Fort Portal Black Tea be extracted?
Timing: 2:30-3:30. Method: Teapot. Ratio: 2.5–3g per 200ml water. Grind or leaf format: CTC / Fannings.
Where is Uganda's tea grown?
Mostly in the west, around Fort Portal at the foot of the Rwenzori Mountains, in the Kabarole and Kyenjojo districts.
When did tea start in Uganda?
The first tea was planted around 1900 in the botanical gardens at Entebbe, and commercial growing began in the 1920s.
Who should avoid Uganda Fort Portal 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
Assam Orthodox Black Tea
Whole-leaf Assam: malt, raisin and caramel in a brisk amber cup.
Orthodox Black TeaYunnan Golden Tips Black Tea
Honey, malt and cocoa in a plush, golden-brown cup, from the buds of Fengqing's big-leaf tea.
Orthodox Black TeaTaiwan Sun Moon Lake Assam Black Tea
Cinnamon, malt and ripe fruit from Assam bushes grown above a Taiwanese lake.
Orthodox Black TeaEarl Grey Tea
Black tea scented with bergamot oil: a malty cup under a bright, floral citrus perfume.