Kenya Purple-Leaf Black Tea
A plum and berry cup from Kenya's purple-leaf cultivar, released in 2011.
Kenyan purple tea comes from TRFK 306/1, a cultivar released in 2011 whose young leaf is purple from its anthocyanin pigment. Made into black tea, it is rustic and plummy, with berry notes and a medium body. Brewed in a teapot at 95°C.
Sensory profile
How it unfolds
Where it sits
That is 50 mg in one serving (8 oz cup (240ml)), a concentration of 20.8 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
Related reading
| Brewing method | Teapot |
|---|---|
| Brew ratio | 1:83 |
| Dose & yield | 2.9g → 240g |
| Grind size | Whole Leaf or Broken Leaf |
| Water temperature | 203°F / 95°C |
| Target brew time | 2:00-3:00 |
| Serving | 8 oz cup (240ml) |
What you need
- 2.9 g loose-leaf black tea
- 240 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 240 g of water at 95°C over the leaf and cover. Start the timer.
- 2:50Remove 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 50 mg for an 8 oz cup.
Brew it short
Purple black tea is brewed with water near boiling for only two to three minutes. Taste it at two minutes before you go 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.
Kenyan purple tea comes from TRFK 306/1, a cultivar released in 2011 whose young leaf is purple from its anthocyanin pigment. Made into black tea, it is rustic and plummy, with berry notes and a medium body. Brewed in a teapot at 95°C.
Origin & Story
Kenya's purple tea starts with a plant. The Tea Research Foundation of Kenya released the cultivar TRFK 306/1 for commercial planting in 2011, after some 20 to 25 years of work. It is an Assam-type tea, bred to give a high yield and to cope with pests, frost and drought.
What makes it purple is a pigment. The leaf is rich in anthocyanins, a pigment family that also colors many berries, and the young leaf looks brick-red to purple on the bush. Purple-leaf bushes are not new, since similar ones exist in China, India and Sri Lanka, but Kenya made one a commercial crop. The brewed cup is not purple, and the tea is purple in name only: the same leaf can be made into green or black tea, because processing, not the plant, decides which kind of tea you have.
Most of it is grown in the cool high-altitude air of the Nandi Hills and around Mount Kenya.
Made into black tea, purple tea is described as rustic and plummy, with berry and raspberry-leaf notes and a thin to medium body. Brew it with water at about 95°C, using 3 g of leaf for 240 ml, and steep for two to three minutes in a teapot.
Reading the Flavor Profile
| Axis | Score |
|---|---|
| Sweetness | 76/100 |
| Acidity | 54/100 |
| Bitterness | 44/100 |
| Body | 68/100 |
| Aroma | 90/100 |
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 Purple-Leaf Black Tea?
One serving, 8 oz cup (240ml), contains approximately 50 mg of caffeine.
What temperature should I use for Kenya Purple-Leaf Black Tea?
Target 95°C (203°F).
How long should Kenya Purple-Leaf Black Tea be extracted?
Timing: 2:00-3:00. Method: Teapot. Ratio: 12g leaves per Liter of water. Grind or leaf format: Whole Leaf or Broken Leaf.
Why is Kenyan purple tea purple?
Its leaf is rich in anthocyanins, a pigment family that also colors many berries. The brewed cup is not purple, and the same leaf can be made into green or black tea.
When was Kenyan purple tea released?
The Tea Research Foundation of Kenya released the TRFK 306/1 cultivar for commercial planting in 2011, after about 20 to 25 years of development.
Who should avoid Kenya Purple-Leaf 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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