How Tea is Made

Black CTC Tea: Black CTC is oxidized tea manufactured by cutting, tearing and curling machines. Grading is achieved by separating particle sizes using various meshes.

Black CTC tea includes:

(i) Broken Pekoe 1 (BP1) – The largest size of ‘grain’ particles, producing light liquors in the body but with encouraging flavoring characteristics.

(ii) Pekoe Fanning 1 (PF1) – Black and grainy with particles slightly smaller in size than those of the BP1 grade.

(iii) Dust (PD1)- comprises the smallest particles of primary grades.

(iv) Pekoe Dust (PD1) – Black and finer than the Pekoe Fanning 1. It produces thick, more pungent liquors

Orthodox Tea Kenyan oolong tea showcases the country’s versatility and innovation in the tea industry. Oolong tea is often called a "semi-oxidized" tea. Oxidation typically ranges from 10% to 70% and sits between green and black tea in terms of oxidation and flavor. This process gives Kenyan oolong tea a unique balance of green tea's freshness and black tea's richness. It has a complex flavor profile, depending on the oxidation level. It can be floral, fruity, or toasty/nutty, and the finish is smooth and lingers with a pleasant sweetness. Black Orthodox tea includes:

(i) Orange Pekoe A – Well rolled & curled, loosely wound, leggy, stylish for the grade, largest whole leaf grade.

(ii) Orange Pekoe 1 – Stylish, wiry well, made whole, leaf tea, tightly twisted, depicting a high quality with food bloom.

(iii) Flowery Orange Fanning—This leafy, heavy, evenly sized Orthodox finings tea has good bloom and the occasional tip and is very suitable for tea bags.

(iv) Flowery Broken Orange Pekoe Fanning – Short, well & evenly sized flowery broken orange pekoe tea with the occasional tip.

(v) Flowery Orange Pekoe – Well-made, fairly loosely twisted whole-leaf tea.

(vi) Pekoe – Well-curled, knotty, stylish, heavy pekoe teas with good bloom.

(vii) Flowery Broken Orange Pekoe Fanning Special – Stylish, short, well & evenly sized flowery Broken Orange Pekoe special tea, with useful tips depicting high quality.

White Tea White tea is tea made from two very fine leaves and a bud or the bud from the specifically selected clone. The tea is manufactured through natural sun drying. When brewed, the liquors are light, refreshing, and flavory.

Green Tea Green tea is made from a finer-plucked green tea leaf. It is unoxidized and is realized through both rolling and CTC machines. Green tea is brewed at lower temperatures for a sweet and flavorful liquor/taste.

Oolong Tea Oolong tea is a "semi-fermented" tea manufactured in Kenya. After plucking, this type of tea is allowed to wilt in direct sunlight and is then shaken in bamboo baskets to bruise the leaf lightly. The chemicals in the leaf react with the air, producing a reddish leaf color. The leaf is fired after the desired amount of time, and the fermentation process is halted.