MITIYANA ESTATE
(Estate Tea)
Country of Origin: Uganda
Region: Mityana
Shipping Port: Mombassa
Grade: BP1 (Broken Pekoe 1)
Altitude: 4000’ ft. above sea level
Manufacture Type: CTC (Cut, Torn and Curled)
Cup Characteristics: Uganda’s top estate produces a cup distinguished by
malty African notes and creamy character. Expansive nose with
astringent finish.
Infusion: Golden and coppery.
Ingredients: Luxury black tea
Information:
Like most institutions in Uganda, the country’s tea industry has seen
many ups and downs over the last half century. Tea has been grown in the
country since the days of the British Empire, first planted by Indian
immigrants who brought their knowledge with them from plantations back
home. Things progressed relatively smoothly for many years and although
the industry never reached the size or status of that of neighbouring
Kenya, during the mid twentieth century tea became one of the Uganda’s
most important exports. All that changed on Aug. 4, 1972 when Edi Amin,
who had recently seized government control in a military coup, demanded
that all Indians leave the country. This included, of course, the many
who owned and managed Uganda’s tea plantations. All business deemed to
be “foreign owned”, even though much of the Indian population at the
time was born in Uganda, their families having come over generations
past, was seized and given to non-Indian citizens. The result? In many
cases, tea estates came under the direction of owners had no experience
and production began to suffer in terms of quantity and quality.
Things began to turn around for Ugandan tea in 1994. In that year, the
European Union backed a donation of $40 million to help tea growers in
the country get back on their feet. Even still, the road back for the
industry has been as rocky as those leading to the tea estates. To this
day, many Ugandan plantations suffer from a lack of available
electricity and all suffer from high transport costs (Uganda is
landlocked, so tea must be trucked to Mombassa, Kenya, for auction).
What’s more, for economic reasons, many Ugandan plantations have yet to
be replanted with younger, more productive bushes. Still, growers push
forward and today tea is Uganda’s 3rd largest export after fish and
coffee, providing sustainable employment for tens of thousands.
One of the best examples of Uganda’s tea output is grown on Mityana
Estate. In recent years, Mityana has begun producing premium loose leaf
teas to compete with some of the more famous Kenyans. The cup has a
medium thickness with a good, rich mouth feel, slight malty notes and
medium astringency – it is exceptional with a dash of milk. We’re proud
to offer this fabulous tea and to do our part to support Ugandan
growers. Serving the cream of Uganda shows your customers that you’re
willing to go the extra mile to bring them something special. Enjoy!
Hot tea brewing method: Bring freshly drawn cold water to a rolling
boil. Place 1 teaspoon of tea for each cup into the teapot. Pour the
boiling water into the teapot. Cover and let steep for 3-7 minutes
according to taste (the longer the steeping time the stronger the tea).
Even though milk and a dash of sugar help enhance the flavor character
on this tea, it is perfectly acceptable to consume this tea
‘straight-up’