B-TZ-041
Tanzanian Black
Orthodox black, from Mufindi, Tanzania.
Black tea
Tanzanian Black is strongest on brightness, body and malty. Typical tasting words: malt, blackcurrant, bark, cocoa powder, toast crust. Tea was introduced by German settlers in the early 20th century, with Mufindi later becoming a core centre for high-elevation cultivation. A primary export crop, traditionally consumed locally in strong, spiced milky decoctions or taken plain with sugar.
Also known as Usambara Black and Southern Highlands Black.
The profile
Taste, 0 to 5
Flavour families, 0 to 5
Facts
- Origin
- Mufindi, Tanzania
- Plant
- Camellia sinensis var. assamica
- Harvest
- spring to early summer, October to January
- Elevation
- high
- Oxidation
- 85 to 95%
- Roast
- unroasted
- Leaf
- broken
- Price band
- affordable
- Availability
- specialist
- Ageing
- a little
- Forgiving to brew
- 3 of 5
- L-theanine
- low
Made by: withering, then rolling, then oxidation, then drying, then sorting.
Caffeine
A cup of Tanzanian Black carries a typical estimate of 65 mg of caffeine, within a range of 45 to 80 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 | 95 to 100 °C | 3 min, 4 min |
| Cold brew, 250 ml | 3 g | Fridge | 8 to 12 hours |
Up to 2 infusions. Scale for your own pot with the brew calculator.
Drinking it
- morning
- breakfast
- morning
Pairs with breakfast_dishes, pastry and scones_cakes. Milk: yes. Iced: yes. Sweetener: yes. Good for beginners: yes.
Tasting words explained
Similar teas
- B-RW-039Rwanda Black
shares brightness and body - B-ID-048Javanese Black
shares brightness and astringency - B-MW-040Malawi Black
shares body and malty - B-TW-014Taiwan Assamica Black
shares body and malty - B-CN-004Yunnan Dian Hong (Broken)
shares body and malty - B-CN-015Hainan Black
shares body and malty
More: all black tea teas, or filter the whole drawer.