The Director of Eastern Produce Kenya (EPK) Tea Company in Nandi County, Leah Bii has challenged tea farmers to work on improving the quality of their tea leaves, so as to ensure better returns in the global market.
High quality tea leaves are characterized by several factors including leaf size, shape colour and overall freshness that when adhered to offers superior flavor, aroma and health benefits.
The picked tea leaves should be two leaves and a bud, relatively uniform in size and Shape, unbroken, smooth, supple and heavy for their size indicating freshness.
Speaking during a field day to cultivate sustainable community partnerships held at Kipsitoi Primary School in Nandi Hills, Bii observed that when the quality of tea is high, the supplied tea will always be considered due to the quality standards despite the fluctuation of the international market prices, thus avoiding the loses that come with low prices in the market. "During field day farmers learn about the latest technologies that we have, the best practices of ensuring quality tea.
