Quick Answer

For a bold cup of Nandi Hills Kenyan black tea, use 1 teaspoon of leaves per 8 ounces of just-boiled water and steep for 3 to 5 minutes, adjusting to your taste.

Why brewing time and temperature matter

Nandi Hills Kenyan black tea has a light start that finishes with a heavier, biscuity note. Steeping too long or with boiling water can pull out extra astringency, making the cup taste harsh instead of bold. A 3-minute steep keeps the bright character, while 5 minutes brings out that deeper, oaty finish.

Adjusting for milk and sugar

This tea is a good morning tea with milk and sugar if that's your style. If you plan to add milk, steep closer to the 5-minute mark so the tea holds its strength. Without additions, a shorter steep lets you pick out the distinct Nandi Hills flavor notes more clearly.

Brewing steps

  1. Heat fresh water: Bring filtered water to a rolling boil (212°F / 100°C). If your kettle has a variable temperature, set it to 205°F to avoid scalding the leaves. Using just-boiled water is key; cooler water will under-extract the tea.
  2. Measure the leaves: Use 1 teaspoon of Nandi Hills Kenyan Black tea per 8-ounce cup. For a stronger pot, add an extra half-teaspoon rather than steeping longer. Measuring prevents over-brewing, which is the most common cause of bitterness.
  3. Pour and steep: Pour the hot water over the leaves and steep for 3 minutes for a lighter cup or 5 minutes for a bolder, more biscuity brew. Set a timer to avoid guessing. Start with 3 minutes and adjust in 30-second increments on your next cup.
  4. Strain and serve: Remove the leaves or strain the tea into your cup. If adding milk and sugar, do so now. Drink black to appreciate the oaty, Nandi Hills character. Leaving the leaves in the pot will continue steeping and turn bitter—strain promptly.

Our recommendation

  • Nandi Hills Kenyan Black: Nandi Hills Kenyan Black comes in with a light taste and ends on a heavier, bisquity note, with a somewhat oaty character. This flavor shift means you can choose a shorter steep for a lighter, brighter cup or a longer one to emphasize the biscuity finish.

    Nandi Hills Kenyan Black

    Nandi Hills Kenyan Black