Satemwa Sunrise

Quantity of tea leaves: 3 gram
Temperature of water: 85°
Infusion time: 2 minutes
Maximum number of infusions: 3 times

To fully enjoy the invigorating and warming cup of Satemwa Sunrise, heat water to 85°C, the ideal range for black tea to extract its full depth of flavours. Use about 2 grams of tea per 250 ml of water, allowing plenty of room for the leaves to expand and release their aromas. Pour the hot water over the tea and steep for 5 minutes, adjusting the time for a lighter or stronger brew based on your preference.

For additional infusions, maintain the same temperature to savour the tea’s flavours for up to two more brews.

With each sip of Satemwa Sunrise, enjoy the vibrant citrus notes balanced by sweet, malty undertones in this rich African amber infusion.

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

Satemwa Sunrise serves a wonderful breakfast tea alternative. The dry leaves release a vibrant citrus aroma with subtle herbal undertones from the lemon verbena.

Upon brewing, Satemwa Sunrise unveils a rich amber liquor, with an inviting malty fragrance. The flavour is smooth and well-rounded, combining the robust depth of black tea with the bright, herbaceous and citrusy notes of lemon verbena. Its velvety texture glides over the palate, leaving a refreshing, uplifting finish.

Each sip of Satemwa Sunrise evokes the lush landscapes of Malawi, where the art of tea-making and nature’s bounty harmoniously meet.

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.

Satemwa Sunrise black tea is a handcrafted Malawi black tea, expertly blended with locally grown lemon verbena. The production process begins with the careful hand-picking of tea leaves, followed by meticulous withering to reduce moisture and enhance flavour concentration.

The leaves are then gently rolled to initiate oxidation, developing the tea’s deep and multifaceted taste. After oxidation, the tea is expertly dried to lock in its distinct profile, preserving the unique flavours and aromas of the terroir. Finally, Satemwa artisans blend the black tea with lemon verbena, creating a warm, citrusy infusion perfect for starting a new day.

Read more about black tea in our blog.

Properly storing the Satemwa Sunrise 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.