Purple tea is an entirely new category of tea! Purple tea is produced from the leaves of the camellia Sinensis plant, which is the same plant from which black, green, oolong and other types of tea are made. Purple tea is low in caffeine (less than green tea, slightly more than white tea).
Are you in the mood for a soothing hot cup of tea? Are you bored with the same old taste and fragrance of green and black tea? Well, if you have answered yes to both of those questions, you have come to the right place. We bring you the one-of-a-kind, quintessential purple tea – a perfect blend of taste, antioxidants, and aroma! And it comes all the way from the high mountains of the Kenyan region. Let’s take a look at it below.
What is Purple Tea?
Purple tea comes from Africa, and to be specific, the Mt. Kenyan region, as already mentioned above. It is a new crossbreed variety from the same tea plant, Camellia sinensis, which gives us all the very famous white, black, and green tea varieties. Mostly exclusive to Kenya, this tea plant can only be grown in cold conditions and high altitudes. This peculiarity of the purple tea plant allows it to utilize the sun rays more efficiently, thereby making it rich in anthocyanins and polyphenols. The high levels of anthocyanins in this tea are the reason behind its purple color. Some may even go as far as calling it a genetic mutation due to its unique color, however, ‘anthocyanin’ is the same antioxidant found in blueberries, giving them their dark blue color, making this tea nothing much out of the ordinary.
The tea made from purple tea leaves is dark in color and has a slightly purple tint to it. With the rise of global warming and a drop in temperatures, scientists speculate this tea to become the most ideal alternative to regular green and black teas. This is because it is resistant to frost, drought, pests, and many different diseases, making it a high-yielding and less environmentally challenging crop for cultivation.
About Purple Tea
While tea has been grown for thousands of years in countries like China and India, purple tea is a relative newcomer to the tea world, having only been discovered a few decades ago. Purple tea has only been available commercially for a few years and is still a rarity in many tea shops.
Just like other varieties of tea, purple tea is produced from the leaves of the camellia Sinensis plant. Most teas are produced from one of two varietals of the camellia Sinensis plant, either Camellia sinensis Sinensis or camellia sinensis assamica. Black, green, white, oolong, pu-erh, and purple teas all come from the same plant and vary primarily due to their specific varietal, when and where they are harvested, and how they are processed. While most tea plants produce dark green leaves, purple tea is made from a rare, newly discovered purple-leafed varietal of the tea plant. These plants were found growing wild in the Assam region of India, an area where many other types of tea are commercially grown. Assam is also near the purported birthplace of tea, in the Yunnan province of China.
After their initial discovery, these unique tea plants were later taken to Kenya, where the Tea Research Foundation of Kenya worked to create a cultivar of this wild plant that would be ideal for commercial tea production. The third-largest producer of commercial tea after China and India, Kenya now leads as the largest producer of purple tea. This unique tea thrives when grown at high elevations along the equator, where it receives twelve hours of sunlight a day year-round. Kenya continues to produce a growing amount of purple tea each year, as purple tea becomes more well-known and sought-after by tea connoisseurs and curious consumers alike.
Although purple leaf tea has not been on the market long, its popularity is growing as more people find out about the unique history, flavor profile, and health benefits of the tea. While purple tea is on the rise, many people are still unfamiliar with the properties and benefits that are unique to purple tea. Here at ArtfulTea, we’re pleased to be able to introduce our customers to purple tea and to share our knowledge of this exciting new development in the world of tea!
Origin
The actual origin of this tea is slightly debatable, as you would hear different things from different people – some say it comes from China, others claim it to have originated in Kenya, while still many others giving India the credit. Having said that, all these nations have developed their own cultivars of tea. Kenya has developed its cultivar of purple tea called TRFK 303/1. On the other hand, Japan has its cultivar, named ‘Sunrougue’, which is not meant for drinking. Sunrougue tastes extremely bitter and was only developed by scientists to check for its efficacy as an ingredient rather than for drinking purposes. In India, the Assam tea plantation has also made it to headlines for purple tea cultivation. [rx] [rx]
Nutrients & Health Benefits
Due to the rich nutrient content of purple tea, it is known to have certain health benefits. Let us take a look at them.
- Anthocyanins – As per a study published in the Journal of Food Science and Technology, purple tea is rich in anthocyanins and catechins among other nutrients. Anthocyanins give this tea its peculiar color. Not just that, but they are known to help against cancer, improve heart health, and promote cognitive functions. Anthocyanins also help fight free radicals in your body, thereby treating inflammation and reducing pain. [rx]
- Antioxidants – Thanks to the rich anthocyanin content on this tea, it is rich in antioxidants, thereby promoting free radical scavenging activity. As per a study published in 2017, antioxidants in purple tea also help in boosting immunity. This effect of antioxidants lowers the risk of chronic diseases such as heart ailments, cancer, and diabetes. [rx] [rx] [rx]
Another study published in the Nutritional Neuroscience Journal showed results supporting Kenyan purple tea efficacy in boosting the brain’s antioxidant capacity thereby demonstrating a potential for neuroprotection. This can help in preventing neurodegenerative diseases.[rx]
- Low-Caffeine Content – For those who are looking for a low caffeine drink, Kenyan purple tea is the thing. A study published in the International Journal of Biomedical Science reveals that this tea has comparatively lower caffeine content when compared to the other teas from the same plant such as green tea or oolong tea. Its low caffeine content also makes it a popular choice among those trying to lose weight. [rx] If all these benefits and nutrients still don’t convince you to sip on this amazing tea, then its taste surely will. Purple tea has a woodsy and sweet taste to it. It does not show any signs of astringency when made with warm water and steeped for around 3 minutes. Some even say that the tea gives a flavor between green and black tea, without any grassiness to it. You can also blend it with flavored teas and infusions for a better taste. So don’t wait, go and introduce yourself to this purple wonder.
- Promotes Heart Health – Purple tea is helpful in improving and maintaining cardiovascular health by helping to relax and dilate blood vessels. This increases blood circulation and lessens stress on the heart. Purple tea also helps by reducing cholesterol levels, which is crucial for boosting heart health. Purple tea contains polyphenols and anthocyanins which maintain healthy blood pressure and promote normal blood vessel function (endothelial functioning) thus preventing inflammation and the risk of heart diseases, strokes, and cardiovascular diseases.
- Reduce LDL – If LDL also known as bad cholesterol is oxidized, it changes to plaque and blocks the arteries. Purple tea lowers LDL levels and prevents cholesterol ju being oxidized thus boosting heart health. Taking purple tea which also contains a higher concentration of the antioxidant polyphenols, combats free radicals, prevents blocking of arteries, and hence reduces the risk of heart disease.
- Boost cognitive function – Drinking purple tea improves concentration, boosts focus, and helps one maintain a positive mood. Purple tea has less caffeine as compared to other types of teas hence the crash is not as felt as it is after taking other varieties like black tea. Animal-based studies have shown that purple tea reduces stress and increases memory retention. Based on this, purple tea remains a promising ingredient in the treatment of amnesia and dementia.
- Good for skin – As a cultivar of Camellia Sinensis, an extract found in skin products like the Innisfree green tea line, purple tea can boost skin appearance and promote skin repair. Purple tea is a natural moisturizer that keeps the skin hydrated and supple, all while reducing oiliness and breakouts. Due to its high antioxidants levels, purple tea counteracts free radicals which cause oxidative stress and eventually skin damage.
- Low calories – Tea contains zero calories and that is why in most populations, including Asian countries, tea is believed to reduce the amount of belly fat also known as visceral fat. Even though studies are yet to sufficiently support this claim in other parts of the world, purple tea as a low-calorie beverage can be consumed in place of high-calorie drinks for purposes of weight management.
- Purple Tea Has Antitumor Properties – Anthocyanins present in the extracts can kill tumor cells in their early stages by disrupting their cell membrane integrity and thus destroying them. So, drinking a cup or two of purple tea daily can help prevent cancer. In 2017, a university in India reported that several different types of anthocyanins extracted from purple tea showed promising apoptosis induction activity in rat brain tumors. Apoptosis is a healthy process by which old worn out and damaged cells of the body die naturally. Cancer is notorious for evading this process. Purple tea also exhibited immune-boosting potential.
Another study in 2017 from a Kenyan university experimented upon breast cancer models using a mouse cell line and found that the anticancer activity of purple tea was double than that of green tea. Studies have also found stalks of purple tea to be beneficial against colon cancer.
- Purple Tea for Brain Health – Purple tea extracts have exhibited promising memory-enhancing effects, in addition to a wide range of neurological benefits in animal models. Mice have a blood-brain barrier similar to that of humans. Studies have confirmed that the anthocyanins found in purple tea cross this barrier, reinforcing the antioxidant activity in their brain. In stressed amnesic rats, a greater degree of memory retention was observed when they were given extracts of purple tea leaves, thus establishing its neuroprotective properties. This makes purple tea extracts a promising ingredient for medication given to treat patients suffering from amnesia or dementia.
Studies also suggest that the purple tea leaf acts as a source of antioxidants that are very likely to cross into our brain. That is not something you can say for all dietary antioxidants, because the blood-brain barrier is highly selective and filters out many substances from entering.
- Purple Tea as a Calmative Agent – Purple tea extract can also be used to fight stress and anxiety. Drinking it will help you feel relaxed and will ease your nerves. Purple Tea has a lower caffeine content when compared to black and green tea, due to which it acts as an excellent calmative agent without increasing one’s blood pressure and heart rate.
Research has shown purple tea extracts to possess mild anxiolytic (antianxiety) and anti-depressive effects. At higher doses the plant extracts are known to be adaptogenic …that is they eliminate all sorts of physical and mental exhaustion, make us less sensitive to external stress and keep our body calm.
- Purple Tea for Diabetes – A cup or two taken in between meals will help regulate your blood glucose levels, thus keeping the sugar levels in check. This property is useful for the prevention of type 2 diabetes mellitus, which is the third-largest cause of death in the modern world. It is also effective for diabetic patients as it inhibits excess glucose absorption from the food, thus resulting in lower glucose levels. The unique phytochemicals present in this tea help reduce the serum glucose levels and keeps them in check.
- Purple Tea for Weight loss -The abnormally high levels of catechins and epigallocatechin galette (EPCG) are responsible for speeding up the metabolism which results in speedy calorie burning, thus helping in weight loss. A group of people was asked to consume purple tea for research. After 4 weeks, participants had significantly lower body weight, BMI, abdominal fat, and waist size. Their muscle ratio was also elevated, and no side effects were reported.
Another secret weapon found in the purple tea extracts is a special type of polyphenol called GHG. It can decrease fat tissue thickness while increasing lean body mass. Researchers propose that this is caused by the effect of GHG on lipase, the enzyme that breaks down fats in the body. It also improves the metabolism of liver fat, which helps detoxify the liver. This consequently helps the body lose unwanted fat and other toxins.
- Improves Vision – Delphinidin, the same compound that helps control blood sugar, also contributes to improved eye health. It is suggested that delphinidin offers relief from dry eyes Half a liter of purple tea only has about 10 calories. So you won’t have to worry about it contributing to your daily calorie count.
- Anti-Aging Properties – The tea is also a popular ingredient in a variety of skincare products that help to fight wrinkles, improve skin tone, enhance complexion, and support overall beauty. While it originated in India, Times of India reports that the rich brew is only available in Kenya, the world’s largest producer of tea after China and India.
Method of Preparation For Purple Tea
What makes Purple Tea more desirable is its scarce availability! It can be difficult to get hold of. So if you can’t get it locally, then you can buy it here – Purple Loose Leaf here.
Like other herbal infusions, it is relatively simple to make and can be enjoyed either as a warm beverage to unwind after a long day or a cold one to beat the scorching summer heat. It is prepared in a manner similar to green or black tea.
- Boil water on a stove and in a cup of water add approximately 2-3 teaspoons of dried purple tea leaves.
- Let it simmer for about 3-4 minutes.
- For a stronger concoction, you can let it boil for 10 minutes.
- Leaving it on the stove will not turn it bitter like other teas.
- You can enjoy it hot, or for a cold breezy drink, you can add crushed ice to it.
- Although very pleasant in taste already, you can add honey or sugar to sweeten the brew according to taste.
Other ingredients like mint, cloves, cinnamon, ginger, lemongrass, and turmeric can also be added in order to complement the infusion for enhanced flavor and additional health benefits.
Possible Side Effects of Purple Tea
It is a common misconception that if a product happens to be natural or herbal, it is bound to have no side effects at all.
Although regarded mostly as safe, Purple tea is known to cause nausea and can also upset the stomach leading to diarrhea. Particularly if taken in large quantities. However, these side effects are milder than those caused by green and black tea because of its lower tannin and caffeine content.
Pregnant and lactating mothers should also take it with caution since the effects this tea can have on such women are not well studied. Although purple tea is known to have a number of positive effects on your health, one should not consider it as a substitute for their physician-prescribed medication.
Kenyan Purple Leaf Tea Information
- Quantity – This purple leaf tea is carefully blended and packaged by hand in a reusable tin or a resealable kraft bag. Our 3.25 oz. tin or kraft bag makes approximately 35 – 40 cups of tea. Our 6.5 oz. kraft bag makes approximately 70 – 80 cups.
- Ingredients – Purple leaf tea (Origin: Nandi Hills, Kenya)
- Preparation – Use 1 heaping teaspoon per 6 oz. water. Heat water until briskly steaming (not boiling). Steep for 3 minutes. This tea may be infused twice or more.
Purple Tea Caffeine Content
Purple Tea is low in caffeine, containing less caffeine than green tea but slightly more caffeine than most white teas. This is due to several reasons, including:
- Leaf size – Our purple tea is made from whole tea leaves that are gently curled and shaped. Full-leaf loose leaf teas tend to contain less caffeine than broken leaf teas.
- Water temperature – Purple tea should be infused with water that is steaming, not boiling. Lower water temperatures result in a lower caffeine level in a brewed cup of tea.
- Steep time – We recommend steeping purple tea for about three minutes. The shorter the steep time, the less caffeine will be present in a cup of tea.
Brewing Purple Tea
We recommend preparing Kenyan Purple using a teapot, tea infuser, or tea filter. These brewing methods give the tea leaves enough room to expand as the tea steeps, resulting in a richer, more flavorful cup. Using one heaping teaspoon of tea leaves for every six ounces of water in your pot or cup. Heat water until it is steaming but not boiling, then infuse the tea leaves for approximately three minutes. Purple tea can be infused a second time for a lighter, mellower cup of tea.
What Does Purple Tea Taste Like?
A bit lighter than black tea but darker than green tea, our Kenyan Purple is often described as similar in character and taste to oolong tea. Purple tea has a light, clean body similar to green tea, without any of the grassy, vegetal flavors that is typical to green teas. Our Kenyan Purple is also processed in a way that is similar to many oolongs – partially oxidized, with the leaves gently rolled. Purple tea brews up a light reddish-purple color and has a floral, delicate flavor.
Curious about what purple tea tastes like? We often describe it as having a flavor similar to an oolong tea, with a lighter body than many black teas, but without the grassy, vegetal taste common to many green teas. Purple tea is generally mild in flavor, with light floral notes and a clean finish, and brews up a beautiful pale purple color. Purple tea is also very low in caffeine, somewhere in between green and white teas, making it a great choice for those looking for all the benefits of tea in a less-caffeinated cup. Our Kenyan Purple is also processed in a way that is similar to many oolongs – partially oxidized, with the leaves gently rolled. Purple tea is also available in flavored blends, with added ingredients like dried flower petals and tropical fruits.
From Where To Buy
- TASTING NOTES: Bright and lively, tropical fruit and hibiscus.
- 40-80 STEEPS: 2.8oz loose leaf tea makes 40 cups or re-steep these super-fresh whole leaves for 80!
- FAIR TRADE VERIFIED: Direct-Fair-Trade from our partners in Kenya. Small-batch and hand-plucked.
- 100% ORGANIC: Non-GMO certified, 100% natural Ingredients, pesticide and chemical free.
- RICH IN ANTIOXIDANTS: Very low in caffeine, our award-winning purple tea is packed with super-antioxidants.
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