High On Kenyan Tea
Nothing calms the heart more than the sweet scent of cinnamon coupled with cadamons, fresh Ginger and the coastal tea masala brought to a thorough boil in tea leaves, milk and a little water.
This scent steals its way into cracks of doors softly waking up dwellers from their sweet dreams. Poetically speaking, one can call this a gentle summon from slumberland. You definitely want to wake up to this in a fine Kenyan resort, in a beautiful location, at all costs.
Kenyan Tea is prepared in a way that is close to a ritual. A cup of the creamy brown liquid is intoxicating. First of all the leaves are smoked at the factory and packaged in a way that keeps the flavors and aromas intact and unique.
During preparation, water is brought to boil, the tea leaves added and left to brew in the water for a few minutes. Previously boiled milk is then added to the boiling mixture and the brewing goes on to blend in the milk and give the mixture a thick brown color and texture. The spices are then added. These include cadamons, cinnamon, ginger, Tea Masala and distant dusts of special peppers. This mix is then left to boil and further brew, to absorb the spices. Sugar is optional.
The scent from this calms edgy nerves in the morning or evenings in a natural soothing way. It lifts moods and leaves dull spirits elated.
When taken, Kenyan Spiced Tea lifts stress in great ways. The aroma and flavors sooth not only the palate but also teases the taste buds and sends soothing messages to the brain. Heated discussions and meeting agenda are toned down with cups of tea. A sip of the same brings down frothing anger, so it’s said.
Tea can be served with toasted bread, cookies, boiled bananas, arrow roots or sweet potatoes, cake and biscuits. It can be taken without accompaniment.
The idea is, you want to wake up in a quiet place, to a sweet aroma of Kenyan Spiced Tea and start your tour around, on a very high note. On chilly evenings, if Tusker is not your choice for warmth, you are better off with a cuddly Maasai blanket around your shoulders, caressing a cup of sweet smelling tea.
Emily Wekulo.
