In the world of teas, there's a hidden gem gaining popularity for its unique properties and mesmerizing transformation when paired with a simple ingredient - lemon juice. We're talking about Kenyan Purple Tea, a tea variety that boasts a distinct flavour and changes colour before your eyes. Today, we'll explore the benefits of Kenyan Purple Tea and share a delightful mocktail recipe (with a cheeky 12th Hour Dry Gin option) with some theatre of a colour change.

We developed this mocktail for a Kohl's product launch with a distinctly purple theme, working alongside the brilliant Chef Will Mordido, who added his extra touch to this one - lustre dust! You can get lustre dust from the cake decorating supply area of specialty shops. Presentation is everything, and this adds some flair!

Benefits of Kenyan Purple Tea

Before we dive into the recipe, let's take a moment to appreciate the incredible health benefits of Kenyan Purple Tea:

Purple tea, hailing from the tea gardens of Kenya, is a unique and vibrant brew. Its dazzling hue, named after the colour of the fresh (not dried) leaf, is just the beginning of its extraordinary qualities. Here's why you should consider making it a part of your daily routine:

1. Rich in Antioxidants: Purple tea contains a lot of antioxidants, including anthocyanins and polyphenols, making it a powerful ally against inflammation, aging, and oxidative stress.

2. Low in Caffeine: If you prefer a gentler caffeine source, look no further. Purple tea has half the caffeine of green tea, providing sustained energy without the jitters.

3. Supports Weight Management: Purple tea contains a particular polyphenol called GHG, which may aid in weight loss by reducing body weight, abdominal fat, and cholesterol levels.

4. Promotes Heart Health: This tea helps relax blood vessels, improving circulation and reducing the risk of heart diseases. It also maintains healthy blood pressure and vessel function.

5. Anti-Inflammatory and Antiviral: Purple tea's natural compounds, including polyphenols, can bolster your immune system, making it a valuable ally against colds, flu, and respiratory issues.

6. Cognitive Boost: Enjoy better concentration, mental focus, and a positive mood with purple tea. It's lower in caffeine than other teas, so no more jittery crashes.

Purple tea isn't just a flavorful beverage; it's a wellness powerhouse. Add this antioxidant-rich elixir to your daily routine to manage weight, support your heart, and boost your overall health. Cheers to a healthier you!

Now that we've highlighted the impressive benefits of Kenyan Purple Tea, let's move on to our favourite purple mocktail recipe that showcases its colour-changing magic.

Kenyan Purple Colour-Changing Mocktail Recipe

Serves 4

For this mocktail to have the most dazzling effect, you will serve it in 2 parts - a main glass with soda water and tea concentrate, and then a side glass or shot of lemon syrup to watch the colour transformation. If you want a dramatic colour change, butterfly pea flowers make a show stopping bluey purple as above that transforms to pinkish purple with the addition of lemon juice. However, you still get a vibrant effect with just the purple tea!

Kenyan Purple Tea Concentrate (4 servings):

• 3 heaped teaspoons/6 grams of Noble & Sunday Kenyan Purple Tea
• 1 teaspoon/0.5 grams of blue pea flowers (optional for super purple/blue colour)
• 125ml of 90-degree water

Lemon Shimmer Shot (4 servings):

• 2/3 cup of simple syrup (50/50 sugar/water)
• 1/3 cup of lemon juice
• A pinch of Lustre dust (optional)

To serve:

• A main glass - a conical flask, wine glass or lowball glass works great
• A small glass, shot glass, or beaker that holds 60ml
• Chilled Soda water (not sparkling)
• 30ml/glass Twelfth Hour Dry Gin (optional for a cheeky Friday)
• Ice (optional)

Instructions:

Making the Tea Concentrate:

1. Preheat a cup or teapot and add 125ml of 90-degree water, plus the Kenyan Purple Tea and optional pea flowers.
2. Steep for 5-7 minutes.
3. Strain the mixture using a fine sieve or filter bag, pressing to release all the liquid.
4. Top up the strained tea with water to ensure you have 120ml of tea concentrate.
5. Allow the tea concentrate to cool to room temperature. Note that if you chill it, the colour becomes darker.

Making the Lemon Shot:

1. Make your simple syrup by combining 1/2 cup of each boiling water and white sugar (or honey) and stir to dissolve. Allow to cool.
2. Mix 2/3 cup simple syrup, 1/3 cup lemon juice, and a pinch of Lustre dust (if using). Stir until well combined and chill.

Serving the Kenyan Purple Colour-Changing Mocktail:

1. Combine ½ cup of chilled soda water in each main glass with two tablespoons (30ml) of Tea Concentrate and 30ml of Twelfth Hour Dry Gin if using. We found this the perfect ratio to enhance the flavours of both the mocktail and the gin.
2. In each small shot/glass, pour 60ml of the Lemon Shimmer Shot.
3. Serve them together, and watch the magic happen as your guests pour the lemon shot into the tea concentrate. The colour will change from pale purple to pink, creating a dazzling visual effect!
   
   Here's a picture of the colour change without the butterfly blue pea flower. It comes out as a beautiful peachy pink colour, even more dramatic with a sprinkling of blueberries!

Our Kenyan Purple Tea

To take your Kenyan Purple Tea experience to the next level, we're excited to introduce our loose-leaf Kenyan Purple Tea. Our tea is carefully sourced from the lush tea gardens of Kenya, ensuring the highest quality and maximum health benefits.  

Our purple tea comes from a special varietal developed and uniquely grown in Kenya.

The dried purple leaf is darker than you'd think; however, the leaves look almost green when brewed, with a slightly purplish tinge to the liquor. It is delicately sweet and woodsy with an astringency similar to unripe blackberries or plums. 

Although some purple tea exists in India and China, the Kenyan Tea Research Institute has officially named the varietal TRFK 306. It was developed to carve out a new niche for Kenyan tea farmers to help invigorate the economy. We source from amazing tea farmers who look after their workers and produce an exceptional product that is smooth and sweet when brewed at 90˚c.

The same antioxidants in purple tea give colour to foods like blackberries, blueberries, grapes, red cabbage and other red/purple foods. The anthocyanins in purple tea are around 1.5%, which is very high; you'll find blueberries at approximately 0.1% for comparison.

This little-known tea varietal from the slopes of Mt. Kenya is a proud addition to the N&S collection.

Incorporate Kenyan Purple Tea into your daily routine, whether by savouring it as a traditional tea or using it in creative recipes like our colour-changing mocktail. It's not just a tea; it's a delightful experience that enchants you with every sip.

Join us in celebrating the wonder of Kenyan Purple Tea and make your tea time extra nourishing. Cheers to good health, great flavour, and the joy of watching colours dance in your cup!

 To grab some of this delicious tea, click here.