A rare tea from Rwanda, Africa
A rare orthodox tea from the volcanic hills of Rwanda's Cyohoha-Rukeri garden. Full bodied and complex, this special tea delivers rich malt and biscuit aromas over deeper notes of camphor and sandalwood.
We still find Rwanda one of the world's most exciting tea regions, and here's a fine example from the country's top producer, Rukeri. Fans of Assam and fine Kenyan teas will love this rare orthodox example. Named in honour of Rwanda's indigenous Bush Tiger mantis, this tea really impresses us with its molasses-like sweetness, roasted nut and malt flavours, and its exotic woody notes.
The leaves for this smooth and balanced tea were harvested from the seemingly endless volcanic hills in the north of Rwanda. At altitudes between 1600 and 2000 metres, the balance of rainfall, heat, humidity and mineral-rich soils here is a haven for the bushes. The Rukeri Tea Factory was founded in 1978 by American tea trader Joe Wertheim. The Rwandan government had invited him to build a factory after they drained the Cyohoha and Rukeri mountain marshes for tea cultivation. The estate now oversees a 284 hectare tea garden and supports a cooperative that manages a further 930 hectares. Through buying tea from this co-op, Rukeri supports over 3500 smallholder farmers.
Black, wiry and well defined with visible tips
Fresh and malty with roasted and exotic notes
Smooth, rich and malty, with nut and camphor complexities
Black Tea
Seasonal flush
Prunes, sweet malt, hints of
exotic sandalwood
Barbecued chicken, beef with
mushrooms, milk chocolate
- Picked by hand
- Multi award winning
Obal 2021 award x 2
World Packaging awards 2021
- 2 TPS
- 100ºC
- 3-5 MINS
- ONE STEEP
This is our recommended brewing guide, but by all means adjust to your own taste.
- Warm your teapot and cups with boiling water.
- Discard the water and add two level teaspoons of tea to your pot.
- Add 250ml / 9oz water (i.e. one teacup or small mug) at 100°C / 212°F.
- Place the lid on the pot and steep for three-to-five minutes. Stir, then strain the tea into your cup.
- Serve with a splash of milk, if desired.
Makes one cup. For more, add an extra teaspoon per person and multiply the amount of water accordingly.
Always use freshly-drawn and, where possible, filtered water.