Our Satemwa Zomba Green is a steamed green tea from the Satemwa Estate in Malawi. This is a solid everyday green tea. Harvested from the gardens of Satemwa Tea Estate, the raw leaves are steamed at 260F (130C), then rolled and shaped before being dried into their final state. This tea was developed after a lot of trial-and-error lots, inspired by the traditions of Chinese green teas.
The profile is somewhat similar to Japanese green, which are also typically steamed. The texture is exceptional, with a smooth, velvety body and a soft aftertaste, with lno bitterness nor any grassiness. Deep marine flavors, with notes of kelp, ocean air, and sweet floral notes. Slight smoky finish. Steeps quickly, and performs well when iced or cold-brewed.
Although this tea is quite dark in color, all you have to do is brew it and you'll see and taste a marvelous green tea. I brewed this tea 3 times for purposes of this picture and it was very flavorful each time and you can see that the wet leaf is still not fully opened. You can surely get a fourth infusion if you like.
Brewing Instructions
Water Temperature: 175-185 degrees
Water Quality: Best with Spring Water
Amount of Leaf (per 6 fl oz water): 1 rounded Tbl. (2-3 grams)
Steep Time: 1-3 minutes
Number of Infusions: 4
Satemwa Zomba Green may be prepared in a standard teapot, or in your favorite mug or lidded gaiwan. This tea infuses quickly and like many green teas, it is sensitive to high temperatures and will become bitter when oversteeped. We recommend using water at 175-185 degrees water for up to 1-3 minutes. It will take a couple of infusions before the leaves will completely unfurl to release their flavor even further. As with all green teas, Satemwa's Zomba Green can be infused at least three times and up tofour or five. 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.
