O-KE-053
Kenyan Purple Oolong
Purple cultivar semi-oxidised, from Nandi Hills, Kenya.
Oolong tea
Kenyan Purple Oolong is strongest on brightness, fruity and sweetness. Typical tasting words: plum, red berry, cranberry, cut hay, dry wood. Developed by the Tea Research Foundation of Kenya and released commercially in 2011 to diversify export beyond commodity CTC black tea. Typically produced for specialist export markets; noted for turning pinkish when infused with lemon juice due to anthocyanins.
Also known as Purple Tea, TRFK 306 Oolong and Kenyan Purple Leaf.
The profile
Taste, 0 to 5
Flavour families, 0 to 5
Facts
- Origin
- Nandi Hills, Kenya
- Plant
- Camellia sinensis f. assamica, TRFK 306/1
- Harvest
- Year-round, peaks during dry seasons
- Elevation
- high
- Oxidation
- 30 to 50%
- Roast
- very light
- Leaf
- twisted
- Price band
- mid-range
- Availability
- specialist
- Ageing
- a little
- Forgiving to brew
- 4 of 5
- L-theanine
- low
Made by: withering, then bruising, then partial oxidation, then panning, then rolling, then drying.
Caffeine
A cup of Kenyan Purple Oolong carries a typical estimate of 40 mg of caffeine, within a range of 25 to 55 mg depending on leaf amount, water temperature and steeping time. Figures are estimates for a 240 ml cup. Better earlier in the day if you are sensitive to caffeine. The caffeine planner turns this into a daily total.
How to brew it
| Method | Leaf | Water | Steeps |
|---|---|---|---|
| Western, 250 ml | 3 g | 85 to 90 °C | 3 min, 4 min, 5 min |
| Gongfu, 100 ml | 5 g | 85 to 92 °C | Rinse, then 20 s, 25 s, 30 s, 45 s, 60 s, 90 s |
| Cold brew, 250 ml | 3 g | Fridge | 8 to 12 hours |
Up to 6 infusions. Scale for your own pot with the brew calculator.
Drinking it
- morning
- afternoon
- afternoon
- hot_weather
- study_focus
Pairs with fruit, poultry and salads. Milk: no. Iced: yes. Sweetener: yes. Good for beginners: yes.
Tasting words explained
Similar teas
- B-IN-030Munnar Black
shares brightness and sweetness - O-LK-048Ceylon Oolong
shares brightness and fruity - B-CN-017Purple Tea Zijuan Black
shares brightness and body - B-KE-038Kenyan Orthodox Black
shares brightness and sweetness - B-GB-054Cornish Black Tea
shares sweetness and brightness - B-GB-063Afternoon Blend Style
shares brightness and sweetness
More: all oolong tea teas, teas from Nandi Hills, Kenya, or filter the whole drawer.