If tea is an acknowledged antioxidant powerhouse, then purple tea is the powerhouse of powerhouses. The purple tea varietal is a special cultivar of Camellia sinensis var. assamica, the tea bush variety with larger leaves, native to Assam, India. Purple tea naturally produces rich, purple-colored leaves due to an abundance of anthocyanin, a water-soluble pigment found in red, purple, and blue vegetables and fruits, such as blueberries.
Purple tea adapts well to a variety of altitudes, soil conditions, and heat. The leaves go through a light processing similar to green tea — careful rolling, withering and drying — ensuring retention of the characteristic lush purple hue as well as the restorative benefits of anthocyanin.
Purple tea is grown in both Kenya, Africa and Yunnan, China.
Carefully cultivated under the auspices of the Tea Research Foundation of Kenya, purple tea was first introduced to the commercial market there in 2011. It is primarily grown in the rolling hills of the Mount Kenya region of central Kenya by small scale farmers.
In the 1980s, at the Menghai Tea Research Station in Yunnan province, China, a special Zi Juan “Purple Beauty” varietal of Camellia sinensis var. assamica was developed.
Both locations offer plentiful sunshine, producing tea leaves that are high in antioxidant and phytonutrient content, which contributes to a host of very beneficial properties.* Due to the chemical structure and water solubility, a higher percentage of those antioxidants and phytonutrients are more readily absorbed than in some other foods. This means more of the good stuff faster. The purple tea varietal also has a lower caffeine content, which is an extra bonus if you are seeking to reduce/limit your caffeine intake.
Steeping the striking purple leaves colors the cup a captivating hue that can range from a pale yellow to a light rosy purple. For further visual enhancement, add a lemon twist and watch the purple coloration deepen, which would be a spectacular showstopper in a glass teapot at a tea party. As the leaves steep, the aroma envelops you in a juicy stone fruit sweetness. The experience culminates with a sweet fruity, woody flavor profile.
An added bonus of purple tea is the seamless way it blends with other tea and herbs. Creating your own blend with your favorite teas and herbs allows you to achieve the taste profile you prefer, while still maintaining the antioxidant benefits that come with the purple tea. If an alluring floral taste profile is desired, blend with our ZM65: Magnolia Oolong. If you would like a fruity flavor, BA06: Blueberry Rooibos is highly recommended. Since South African Rooibos is an herb, it is naturally caffeine-free and serves as a perfect complement to a leaf that traditionally has less caffeine. And if a sweet treat is desired, you could always be adventurous and blend purple tea with our TSA5: Chocolate Truffle Colombian Black Tea for a calorie- free indulgence.
As you continue to trek onward along your tea journey, explore our selection of purple teas and enjoy a regal tea experience unlike any other.
Until next time, keep sipping!