This very unique, rare white tea from Malawi is unlike any tea you’ve ever tasted. It is made from a blend of select Superior Cultivars from Malawi, making it rich in theanine and antioxidants. To my knowledge, Satemwa Estate is the only estate in the world to produce this unusual white tea.
Rather than using the top two leaves and a bud, Satemwa Antlers is made from the very top 1-3 inches of the velvety shoot, hand plucked when the buds have only just started to appear. The intense floral aroma of the infusion is truly astounding and the delicate sweetness of apricot and lychee lingers on the pallet. I steeped this tea five times with absolutely no loss of flavor or aroma. I’m sure it could have easily withstood another two or three infusions.
Ingredients: Artisan white tea
Origin: Satemwa Estate, Malawi
Malawi was the first country in Africa to grow tea on a commercial scale. Tea was first planted in Malawi in 1878, but it wasn’t until 1891 that it became of any viable significance. The Satemwa Estate was founded in 1923 by a Scottish rubber planter by the name of Maclean Kay. The first tea seeds planted by Kay in 1926 were heirloom China varietals. In 1928 he introduced the first Camellia sinensis var. assamica seed from India. This seed formed the basis of expansion until the 1960’s.
Satemwa teas are made up of the two primary varieties: Camellia sinensis var. china and Camellia sinensis var. assamica as well as numerous Superior cultivars that have been bred by the Tea Research Foundation of Central Africa in Mulanje, Malawi. These Superior Cultivars are bred for drought tolerance, cup characteristics and health benefits. They have been shown to have higher levels of theanine, antioxidants and catechins than teas from other origins. Also, the growing conditions in Malawi are known to favor higher production of the gallated catechins.
The Satemwa Estate is fair trade certified. It is also certified by the Ethical Tea Partnership and the Rainforest Alliance.
Brewing Instructions
Water Temperature: 175-190 degrees
Water Quality: Best with Spring Water
Amount of Leaf (per 6 fl oz water): 1 rounded Tbl. (2.5 grams)
Steep Time: 2-3 minutes
Number of Infusions: 3
Satemwa Antlers may be prepared in a standard teapot, or in your favorite mug or lidded gaiwan. For best results, we recommend that you pre-warm your vessel, and place 2.5 grams of leaf per 6 oz of liquid, before infusing with 175-190 degree water for up to 1-3 minutes. As with all white teas, Satemwa Antlers can be infused at least three times. Increase the time and temperature slightly with each subsequent infusion. Experimenting with your own temperatures and steeping times is encouraged. Cooler temperatures and shorter times yield more mellow, fruity elements, while hotter water and longer times produce more floral and full-bodied complexities. Always use the best-tasting water you can find, and adjust steeping times, quantity of leaves, and water temperature to your personal preferences.
We highly recommend brewing your tea in a teapot or mug with a removable infuser so that you can remove the leaves at the end of the steeping time. Whole leaf teas of this quality need room to unfurl and expand in the water in order to perform their "magic." If you don't have a removable infuser, you can brew the loose leaves directly in the pot. At the end of the steeping time, pour all of the tea into a warm serving pitcher or pot.
