Kenyan CTC Black Tea

Discover a delicious blend of premium, strong, full-bodied black tea in every sip.

In 2021, According to AFA, the Agriculture and Food Authority), Kenya produced 537.83 million kgs of tea, lower by 31.70 million kgs from 2020's (569.53 million kgs of tea), due to unfavourable weather conditions.

There was an increase in export revenue to $1.15 billion attributed to higher prices due to the Mombasa tea auction minimum reserve price set by the Kenyan government in the same year, a depreciating Kenya Shilling to the Dollar, and renewed demand from Kenya tea export markets after the COVID restrictions.

For a comprehensive report on the Kenyan tea industry and reports, download:

Kenya Tea Industry Performance 2021

Kenya Tea Industry Performance 2020

Kenya Tea Industry Performance 2019

As the world’s biggest exporter of black tea, the bulk majority is produced using the Crush-Tear-Curl (CTC) process method to form small granule particles.

Coloury, Strong, Aromatic, and Delicious with milk and sugar, these teas fill commercial faster brewing tea bags worldwide unlike the bulkier lighter orthodox tea.

Read more on the benefits of blending with Kenyan tea.

Kenya's Liquid Gold - A World Favourite

A leading producer of black CTC, Kenyan tea endears to packers and importers spread across the world as this map shows. Amongst many reasons why, is a robust flavor that can stand up well with milk, as tea is often drunk worldwide.

CTC Black Tea

CTC Kenyan tea tends to be blends of tea leaves harvested from more than one plantation during harvest. After processing these are graded into 3 main varieties,

Broken Pekoes made from broken leaves
Pekoe Fanning variety, which makes up the bulk of the production and finally,
Pekoe Dust - powdery in nature.

Certain markets with strong tea preference also favour other more powdery and fibrous lots such as Fannings

and BMF.

Quality by Design

Kenyan tea manufacturers have traditionally preferred the CTC method of production.

For experienced tea connoisseurs, the grades below serve as a guide of what is on offer to grow your business.

For the beginner, our tea master will recommend based on your target marketand the quality of tea leaves required.

Kenyan CTC black tea - Broken Mixed Fannings

Kenyan CTC black tea

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Primary Grades

Appearance

Infusion

Liqour

BP1 – Broken Pekoe 1

Curly blacker granule type

PF1 – Pekoe Fannings 1

Blacker curly smaller granules

PD – Pekoe Dust

Blacker even grainier

Dust 1

Blacker more powdery

Coppery Bright

Reddish liquor with better strength and flavour

Reddish, coloury liquor with better strength and flavour

Coloury thicker liquor with useful strength

More coloury thicker liquor

Secondary Grade

BP – Broken Pekoe

Blacker bolder granules

Dust / Dust 2
Very powdery tea

FANNINGS 1 / Fngs

Black leaf with more fibre

PF - Pekoe Fannings
Neatly cut fibre with black leaf

BMF - Broken Mixed Fannings
Fibrous tea