Sample |
Smooth with hints of plum and grass.
Sample provided by Wha-Cha
My Review:
I am continuing my education in purple varietal teas today, thanks to What-Cha (Tea Redefined), a new provider operating out of the UK. I was so fascinated by the Yunnan Graceful Purple from a couple days ago that I immediately wanted to see how it compares to tea grown and processed in other areas.
This, as the name says, is a steamed green tea from Kenya. It is not listed on Wha-Cha's website at the time of this writing. I am getting the honor or introducing it to the world. Woo Hoo!
Kenya grows and exports a lot of tea. Unfortunately the vast majority of it is turned to dust and put into paper tea bags, bound for a grocery store aisle near you. As you know, I am not totally opposed to tea bags. I use them myself from time to time for the convenience. The problem with it has been the low price paid to the growers for their hard work. Loose leaf yields a deeper more flavorful cup and puts more money into the farmers pocket. Wha-Cha sources directly from the farmers in Kenya, resulting in fresher tea for you and me, and with success, a better life for the people of Kenya. It is a Win, Win.
Dry Leaf |
The leaf itself is very dark and it does actually have a purplish tint. It really does not resemble a green tea, seeming more like what one expects from a black tea leaf.
Along with the long twisted leaf there are some twigs in the mix.
The label on the sample is clearly marked with steeping recommendations. I used two two tsp of leaf in my Bodum press with 175 F water. I steeped for the middle of the recommended time - 2 1/2 minutes. The liquor is dark honey yellow and maybe really more amber in color.
Wet Leaf |
The leaf looks chopped up to some extent and has turned deep olive green and brown. Looking closely, it still maintains a purple tint.
Taking my first sip reveals just how different this purple green tea is from the Yunnan. Where the Yunnan tasted like a very mellow sheng pu'erh, this one tastes more like what one expects from green tea. I suspect this is probably far more accessible to a lot of tea drinkers.
I definitely taste the grass note that Wha-Cha states. I am not that familiar with plum but I can make that connection. It is not a sweet or tart note to my tastes, rather a soft fruit note. Honestly this reminds me somewhat of Mao Feng. It is not bitter but there is a nice clean bite. The aftertaste lingers and seems to expand with a fresh grassy green leaf flavor.
Kenya Steamed Purple Varietal Green Tea |
This is a very delicious cup on its own.
As I was putting the wet leaf back in my press for a second steep, I noticed the liquid under the leaf on the plate had a purplish, or blueberry tint. I am amused.
The scent of the wet leaf on the second cup is less spinach and a little more herbaceous. I also seem to be detecting a roasting or light smoke note. Is the steaming done over a wood fire? Though I doubt it, I really have no idea. The scent suggests it.
It doesn't really matter as the steaming scent did not translate into the second cup taste but I did take several whiffs so it was not my imagination.
What I am tasting is a less bright cup with the soft plum note along with a slight earthy or mushroom flavor. It still maintains a slight bite.
Wrapping up my thoughts, this is a far different from the first purple tea I sampled from Wha-Cha. For my own tastes, I loved the Yunnan Graceful Purple with its raw pu'erh like similarities. That said, I think the Kenya Steamed Purple Varietal Green Tea is much more familiar in its green tea taste. It is lightly fruity and reminds me of a traditional Chinese green tea. This is a solid offering and worthy of a try.
Visit the What-Cha site.
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