Chinese, Kenyan researchers to develop new tea varieties, produce speciality products

The Chinese and Kenya researchers are going to cooperate with an intention to develop new tea varieties, the country's agricultural research agency recently cited.

The director general of Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), Eliud Kireger said that his research body will work with the Chinese Academy of Sciences to enable Kenya to produce and process a greater variety of speciality teas.

"The Chinese have a lot of technology for green and orthodox tea which meets the changing demand of consumers who are now looking for healthier tea. So, Kenya is keen to tap on the rich Chinese tea culture in order to expand the role of the cash crop in the Kenyan economy," he said, as reported by Xinhua.

A team of researchers from KALRO have also been invited by the Chinese Academy of Sciences to attend a tea conference in China later this month.

Kireger said that Kenya is one of the largest producers of black tea in Africa and a top exporter of black tea in the world.

"However, the changing consumer preferences means we have to constantly research to develop other varieties of tea in order to ensure Kenya has the best quality," he added.

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