When one thinks of Tea, thoughts often drift to China, India, Kenya or even Taiwan and Nepal. Did you know that Malawi makes exceptional Tea, too? Find out today with our extraordinarily delicious Malawi Thyolo Dark Fired Tea. This Tea, like all of our Teas, is packed fresh to order here in our Kent-based factory, nestled within the stunning vistas of the southern English countryside.
But what is Malawi Thyolo Dark Fired Tea? This brilliant brew is one of the best Black Teas we have tasted from East Africa. The term “dark-fired” refers to the processing of the leaf. Producers dry this Tea in a higher than average temperature. This, in turn, creates a Tea with high-grown characteristics.
Malawi Teas – All You Need To Know
Malawi is Africa’s second-largest producer of Tea after Kenya. It borders Zambia to the northwest, Tanzania to the northeast and Mozambique to the east, south and west. Between Malawi and Tanzania is the world-famous Lake Malawi.
The country’s Tea Industry dates back to 1891. A Scotsman named Henry Brown began experimenting with Tea-growing in Malawi after moving there from Ceylon (Sri Lanka). While in Ceylon, he had grown Coffee, but a plant-based disease had ruined his crop.
The first Tea seeds obtained by Brown came by way of Scottish Missionaries. They, in turn, had received them from the Royal Botanical Gardens in Edinburgh. Brown went on to establish the first successful Tea gardens of Malawi at his estate, located in what was then called Nyasaland (Malawi).
The achievements of Henry Brown saw other aspiring Tea-producers establish plantations in the lowlands of Malanje, and Thyolo in the Shire Highlands. Thyolo is, of course, the home of our Malawi Thyolo Dark Fired Tea.
Today, over 50,000 people work for Malawi’s Tea industry. 51% of the total workforce are women. The peak Tea season starts in October and ends in April when plentiful rain encourages the Tea bushes to flush almost continuously.
Malawi Tea grows on 18,000 hectares of the country’s landmass: 9,000 hectares in Thyolo; 6,220 hectares in Malanje; and 650 hectares in Nkhata Bay, located on the western shore of Lake Malawi. In total, the country exports over 35,000 tonnes of Tea yearly, with over 64% of that exported to the UK and South Africa.
Brewing Instructions
Type of Tea: Black Tea.
Origin: Thyolo, Malawi, East Africa.
Brewing Instructions: Brew using freshly boiled water. Infuse for 3 to 5 minutes.
How to Serve: We recommend serving this Tea with milk or sugar – or both. Some may even add honey or lemon; others serve it Black.
Tasting Notes: The processing of this Tea creates a flavour like no other. It has a bright taste with surprising yet scrumptious hints of nutmeg.
Colour in Cup: Coppery liquor, dark in tone.
Health Benefits of Tea from Malawi
Malawi Thyolo Dark Fired Tea has many things in common with other Black Teas. This includes Black Tea benefits. According to the latest scientific research, this beverage can lower “bad” LDL cholesterol, improving cardiovascular health.
It can also boost metabolism, which enables the body to burn fat quicker and more efficiently. Furthermore, it can aid digestion; support the immune system and even reduce the risks of developing type-2 diabetes.