Kericho district not only is the tea capital of Kenya, it is also the most important tea-growing area in Africa thanks to the famously reliable afternoon rain. The first tea was grown in Kenya in 1903 and today it is a major component of most tea sold in the UK and Ireland. Also the Kenyans are devoted tea-lovers. The chai; tea with hot milk, hot water and a lot of sugar, is served from huge thermoses on any visit.
This week we have visited a tea-factory in Chepmomul, between Sigowet and Kericho. Our guide Mutai too us around to see the whole process from the tea-leaves arrive the factory in lorreys or tractors, through the drying of the leaves, the separation of different qualities and grain. It was surprising how well controlled all the processes were in terms of time and temperature. Every one hour the lady in the test-laboratory will take samples of the tea to make sure the taste, colour, intensity, grain and texture is perfect. In any case of dissatisfaction, the progression will be adjusted. Tea-tasting is not very different from wine-tasting. The cups are lined up on the table, you shake them to see how the colour sticks to the porcelain, you make weird sounds when the liquid undergoes a journey through your mouth and you spit it out in a sink.
The tea factory is partly owned by the government and partly by the farmers providing the tea. They share the profit. It runs all day and night as long as there is tea-leaves coming in from the buying-centers where the tea-pickers bring their tea. The factory has more than 200 employees.
This week we have visited a tea-factory in Chepmomul, between Sigowet and Kericho. Our guide Mutai too us around to see the whole process from the tea-leaves arrive the factory in lorreys or tractors, through the drying of the leaves, the separation of different qualities and grain. It was surprising how well controlled all the processes were in terms of time and temperature. Every one hour the lady in the test-laboratory will take samples of the tea to make sure the taste, colour, intensity, grain and texture is perfect. In any case of dissatisfaction, the progression will be adjusted. Tea-tasting is not very different from wine-tasting. The cups are lined up on the table, you shake them to see how the colour sticks to the porcelain, you make weird sounds when the liquid undergoes a journey through your mouth and you spit it out in a sink.
The tea factory is partly owned by the government and partly by the farmers providing the tea. They share the profit. It runs all day and night as long as there is tea-leaves coming in from the buying-centers where the tea-pickers bring their tea. The factory has more than 200 employees.
1 comment:
Hello. Denne artikkelen passar fint til å bruka på 7. trinn i engelsk undervisninga :-)
Helsing
Marit
Post a Comment