Kenya’s distinctive Purple Tea has made its debut in Paris, marking a significant milestone in the global positioning of one of Africa’s most unique specialty teas.
- •The unveiling at the iconic Hôtel de Crillon follows a landmark agreement signed during the Africa Forward Summit between Gatanga Industries, Palais des Thés and Equity Group, to expand market access for Kenyan specialty tea and connect producers directly to premium international consumers.
- •The Paris debut comes as Kenya advances efforts to secure Geographical Indication (GI) status for its specialty Purple Tea.
- •GI protection recognizes products whose qualities and reputation are intrinsically linked to a specific place of origin, strengthening authenticity, and enabling more competitive pricing in premium markets.
“Kenyan tea needs a distinct sub-identity and strong geographical identity. What we are witnessing is the beginning of a journey to transform tea from a commodity into a premium product. Moving from commodity pricing to premium value demonstrates the scale of opportunity for farmers,” Equity Group Managing Director and CEO Dr. James Mwangi said.
Cultivated in the Kenya’s central highlands, particularly in Murang’a County, Purple Tea is a new frontier for the country’s tea industry as producers pursue value addition through premium branding, traceability, and origin recognition. The showcase introduced French consumers, tea experts, and industry stakeholders to a product celebrated for its rarity, vibrant character, floral aromas, subtle fruit notes, and naturally high antioxidant content.
“This is only the first step. We have been working to increase the visibility and value of Kenyan tea, promoting and marketing it in France and across other European markets. In this effort, geographical indications are an extremely valuable tool, helping consumers identify and appreciate the unique origin and quality of the product,” François-Xavier Delmas, Founder and Chairman of the French tea house Palais des Thés, said.
The collaboration showcased how Kenyan tea can be transformed into high-value products that appeal to international consumers, and is part of a larger plan to transform how Kenya approaches agriculture, including transforming farming practices and creating markets for premium products.
