Malawi Zen

Quantity of tea leaves: 3 gram
Temperature of water: 80°
Infusion time: 3 minutes
Maximum number of infusions: 2 times

Begin by heating water to 80°C, the ideal temperature to unlock the delicate and nuanced flavours of Malawi Zen. For a Western-style brew, place about 3 grams of Malawi Zen leaves into your teapot or infuser (about 250 ml), ensuring there is ample space for the leaves to expand and release their essence.

Pour the heated water over the leaves, fully covering them, and let them steep for 3 minutes for the initial infusion. Enjoy up to two infusions, maintaining the water temperature at 80°C and slightly extending the brewing time for the second infusion to fully appreciate the tea’s complex profile.

If you are brewing it using the Eastern gong fu cha method, use around 5 g of leaf for your gaiwan or small teapot (around 120 ml).

Malawi Zen also serves as the perfect base for a delicious iced tea. Add fresh Malawian sugarcane, lemon, and crushed ice for a refreshing flavour bomb during hot summer days. No matter the brewing technique, Malawi Zen will consistently deliver a beautiful infusion with a smooth and refreshing taste.

Read more about how to brew a delicious cup of tea.

Malawi Zen white tea is characterised by its bright lime-green tea leaves with silver tips. The dry leaves emit a sweet floral aroma reminiscent of roses, complemented by vegetal and spicy undertones and a hint of Finnish sauna.

Upon infusion, the tea reveals a light, clear yellowish-green liquor that exudes a bright, zesty fragrance. The taste is smooth and velvety on the palate, with a balanced combination of sweet rose notes and a hint of lime blossom, adding a refreshing twist.

Each sip of Malawi Zen transports you to the lush landscapes of Malawi, where nature meets the art of tea making.

Tea production in Malawi, a landlocked country in southeastern Africa, dates back to 1891 when Jesuit missionaries from Scotland introduced Chinese tea bushes via the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh, making it the first African country to cultivate tea commercially. The country’s tea-growing regions, particularly Thyolo, Nkhata Bay, and Mulanje, benefit from high altitudes, rich volcanic soils, and a subtropical climate, creating an ideal terroir for tea cultivation.

Malawi primarily produces black tea for the CTC (cut-tear-curl) market, known for its strong, brisk flavour and vibrant colour, but there is also a growing interest in green and specialty teas. As one of the top tea producers in Africa, Malawian tea is a key export product, contributing significantly to the country’s economy.

Nestled in the Shire Highlands of the Thyolo district, Satemwa Tea Estate is a picturesque landscape of rolling tea gardens and pristine mahogany forests, producing a wide range of black, green, oolong, white, and dark teas. Tea here is grown at an altitude of 1000-1200 metres above sea level, produced from various local unique cultivars, and the bushes are relatively young, the plantations being 50+ years old.

Founded in 1923 by Scot MacLean Kay, the estate transformed from a tobacco farm to a tea nursery, planting its first fields in 1926 and opening the factory in 1937. Historically, much of Satemwa’s production catered to the CTC market, supplying major brands like Pickwick, Lipton, Tetley, and Yellow Label.

Today, under the leadership of third-generation farmer Alexander Kay and a dedicated team including Chisomos Custitomu and Fadson Mandala, Satemwa has shifted its focus to specialty teas, emphasising craftsmanship and quality to sustain employment and enhance the income of the local community. As one of the last independent, family-run farms in Malawi, Satemwa boasts diverse crops, including tea, coffee, hibiscus, and various herbs, while maintaining protected areas of ancient indigenous forest.

This biodiversity supports numerous species and enriches the land, further nurtured by the estate’s sustainable practices and year-round employment for its workers. In 2009, the smallholders of Satemwa obtained Fair Trade and Rainforest Alliance certification, with gender equality and climate change mitigation high on the list of priorities for the estate. The emphasis on handcrafting rather than mechanisation ensures high-quality artisan tea.

Read more about Satemwa Tea Estate.

Malawi Zen is crafted using traditional white tea production methods similar to Bai Mu Dan, Chinese White Peony. The leaves are carefully plucked, selecting only the finest buds and leaves.

These leaves undergo a natural withering process in the open air, allowing them to develop their distinctive aroma and flavour. The tea is then gently dried to preserve its delicate characteristics.

This meticulous process ensures that Malawi Zen retains its vibrant colour, natural antioxidants, and subtle flavour profile.

Read more about white tea in our blog.

Properly storing the Malawi Zen tea leaves is crucial to retain its freshness and flavor. The key is to protect them from the elements that can compromise their quality: air, heat, light, and moisture.

Read more about how to store loose-leaf tea.