Bush Tiger, Rwanda

We still find Rwanda one of the world's most exciting tea regions, and here's a fine example from the country's top producer, Rukeri. Fans of Assam and fine Kenyan teas will love this rare orthodox example. Named in honour of Rwanda's indigenous Bush Tiger mantis, this tea really impresses us with its molasses-like sweetness, roasted nut and malt flavours, and its exotic woody notes.

The leaves for this smooth and balanced tea were harvested from the seemingly endless volcanic hills in the north of Rwanda. At altitudes between 1600 and 2000 metres, the balance of rainfall, heat, humidity and mineral-rich soils here is a haven for the bushes. The Rukeri Tea Factory was founded in 1978 by American tea trader Joe Wertheim. The Rwandan government had invited him to build a factory after they drained the Cyohoha and Rukeri mountain marshes for tea cultivation. The estate now oversees a 284 hectare tea garden and supports a cooperative that manages a further 930 hectares. Through buying tea from this co-op, Rukeri supports over 3500 smallholder farmers.