Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Tea Review: Kambaa (Metropolitan Tea Company)

Kambaa-BP1
Metropolitan Tea Company
Type:  Black (CTC)
Origin:  Kenya, Kiambu District
Product Description:  Although Kambaa is quite a young factory when compared to heritage production facilities in China or India, Kambaa’s tea output ranks among the best in the world. Kambaa was commissioned in 1974 to serve as a manufacturing facility for thousands of small hold tea farmers in Kenya’s Kiambu District. All told there are more than 5400 tea farmers supplying Kambaa with fresh leaf. A classic february production Kenya. Very malty flavor that has light hints of currant. With milk the cup is bright golden and inviting.

Temperature: 208° F
Amount: 3 grams
Steeping Time: 3 minutes

The dry leaves have a peppery aroma of hay and stone fruit (apricot, plum).

The infusion is ruby red with an aroma of honey and a hint of something citrusy.  The taste is nutty, a little sweet, and moderately astringent with a dry apricot finish.

As expected with CTC teas, Kambaa takes milk well and cancels out the dryness.  I would recommend taking a sip or two before adding anything to fully appreciate the unique flavor and aroma.   The vivid red color of the infusion is quite striking and stands out beautifully in a clear tea cup.

This was tea was provided as part of a workshop.




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