We consider our signature black teas to be truly special and unique in the tea world and we’d like to tell you why. Our black teas are all sourced exclusively from the finest tea estates across East Africa, from Rwanda through to the Great Rift Valley in Kenya; this is generally considered to be where the very best teas are to be found.
This equatorial region’s altitude, high rainfall and rich volcanic soil provide the ideal conditions that are integral to growing tea of unparalleled flavour and taste.
The Pfunda Tea Estate is widely regarded as Rwanda’s leading tea estate and is situated in the north-west province of the country, 4 hours drive from the capital Kigali, in an area known as the Congo-Nile Crest, above Lake Kivu and below the Nyiragongo Volcano.
“East Africa is by far the biggest tea exporter in the world.”
Pfunda concentrates on producing the finest tea, focusing on quality not quantity. The very best tea bushes are carefully selected for the estate and the saplings from these are grown in the on-site nursery. When the nursery manager judges them to be ready they are taken out for planting.
The geography and climate at Pfunda means it is uniquely placed to produce tea of unparalleled flavour and taste. This equatorial region’s altitude of 1460-4500 metres above sea level, high rainfall and volcanoes along the Congo-Nile Crest provide the ideal conditions and rich soil that are integral to growing outstanding tea.
“The year-round growing season ensures excellent consistency in our product quality.”
The tea bushes grow high above sea level, at a slower rate, where the temperature is relatively low, developing greater flavour before they are individually hand picked. The estate provides valuable jobs for people in the area and also runs a co-operative for over 2600 farmers.
To read more about Birchall and the family who run the business today head to our East Africa page.
