W-MW-011

Malawi White Tea

Orthodox white, from Mulanje, Malawi.

White tea

Malawi White Tea is strongest on sweetness, smoothness and brightness. Typical tasting words: peach, apricot, honey, cedar, vanilla. Pioneered in the early 2000s by the Satemwa estate in the Shire Highlands, diversifying Africa's predominantly CTC black tea production. Celebrated as a prime example of modern African specialty tea craft, combining indigenous terroir with artisanal processing.

Also known as Malawi White Peony, Zomba Pearls and Satemwa White.

Compare

The profile

Taste, 0 to 5

sweetness4bitterness1astringency1umami1brightness3body3smoothness4aroma intensity3finish length3

Flavour families, 0 to 5

floral2fruity3vegetal0marine0nutty1toasty0malty0honey3spicy0woody2earthy1smoky0creamy2citrus1stone fruit3tropical1cocoa0caramel0

Facts

Origin: Mulanje, Malawi
Plant: Camellia sinensis var. assamica
Harvest: rainy season, December to April
Elevation: mid
Oxidation: 10 to 20%
Roast: unroasted
Leaf: bud and leaf
Price band: mid-range
Availability: specialist
Ageing: worthwhile
Forgiving to brew: 5 of 5
L-theanine: moderate

Made by: withering, then natural sun drying.

Caffeine

A cup of Malawi White Tea carries a typical estimate of 30 mg of caffeine, within a range of 20 to 45 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	75 to 85 °C	3 min, 4 min, 6 min
Gongfu, 100 ml	4.5 g	80 to 90 °C	20 s, 25 s, 30 s, 45 s, 60 s, 90 s
Cold brew, 250 ml	3 g	Fridge	8 to 14 hours

Up to 7 infusions. Scale for your own pot with the brew calculator.

Drinking it

morning
afternoon
afternoon
relaxing
hot_weather

Pairs with pastry, fruit and salads. Milk: no. Iced: yes. Sweetener: no. Good for beginners: yes.