Expanding Orthodox Tea with Purple Tea from Kenya
(Room N239)
13 Jun 17
11:30 AM
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12:30 PM
Tracks:
Tea: Origins & Varietals
Purple Tea is a new category of tea that is exclusively found in Kenya and one of the biggest innovations in the tea industry including the first true development in Camellia sinensis since its inception. Purple Tea is derived from a new crossbred variety Camellia sinensis and is grown at extremely high elevations (1500-2500 meters above sea) and consequently carries high levels of anthocyanin and flushes a vibrant red-purple color leaf. It has positive health properties including high levels of anti-oxidants, the same compound found in blueberries, raspberries, grapes, etc. The cup color has a purplish hue that is significantly amplified with just a few drops of lemon. The Tea Research Foundation of Kenya has been doing research on purple tea for over 20 years and years ago began encouraging small scale farmers in Kenya to plant the purple tea bushes. Those bushes are finally flushing and ready for production so consequently purple tea supply is just now becoming available.