How to Make Kenyan Tea with Milk – African Mixed Tea

I found that iced tea was very popular in the United States when I moved here a few years ago. That was surprising to me because I had never had iced tea back home and had never even thought of it as a possible way to have tea. But as the Swahili saying goes, kutembea kwingi ni kuona mengi – roughly translated, “travel a lot and you will see a lot.” Kenya is the world’s leading exporter of black tea and as you might guess, the beverage is highly consumed in the country. Kenyans, and other East Africans for that matter, consume their tea piping hot. The tea is popularly made with milk and as sweet tea as I demonstrate in this recipe. If you are a tea lover like me, or simply looking to try something new and absolutely refreshing, give this Kenyan tea with milk recipe a try. You will be amazed, I assure you.

There are two very easy ways to make Kenyan tea with milk. The first one is by using loose tea leaves, and the second one is by using tea bags. Let’s talk about both methods so you can pick and choose whichever is more convenient for you.

Kenyan Tea with Milk using Loose Tea Leaves

This is the method that is most commonly used in many Kenyan households, the result of which is famously referred to as the “African Mixed Tea.” Loose tea leaves are preferred by many Kenyans for several reasons. They are cheaper and more readily available across the country than tea bags. Secondly, it is easier to regulate the amount of tea in the beverage with loose tea leaves. Both those who love stronger tea or very light tea can have exactly what they want. Besides, many Kenyans are convinced that this mixed tea is better tasting compared to using tea bags. Talk of your taste buds getting used to something.

The African Mixed Tea, as the name suggests, is usually prepared as a one-pot beverage. All ingredients are combined in one pot but in different stages. These include water, milk, loose black tea leaves, and sugar. Spices like cardamom, ginger, or tea masala may also be added to enrich both the aroma and flavor of the tea. Some people go a little wild with it and add many more spices that the tea tastes like some sort of hard liquor in the end. We won’t do that today.

Kenyan Tea with Milk using Tea Bags

This is a quite straightforward method. You would simply boil water and milk together and place it in a teapot. Pour that into a cup, add a tea bag and sugar, and you’re good to go. Often, water and milk are boiled and served separately so people can mix in the ratios they prefer. In Kenya, tea bags are mostly an option in restaurants, but some people like to have them in their households too. As I mentioned in this overview article on East African cuisine and dishes that define the region, tea is a social drink in the region and is mostly served to guests. Tea bags come in handy in such situations when one receives guests with different dietary needs because it is easier to serve milk and have guests add tea, chocolate, or cocoa on their own.

Where can you find Kenyan Tea away from East Africa?

Kenyan tea is available on Amazon. You can find both tea bags and loose tea leaves there. Some popular Kenyan brands include Kericho Gold, KETEPA, and Baraka Chai. My preferred brand is Kericho Gold. I love its taste and it does not make my stomach rumble (which I noticed happens to me when I use KETEPA tea bags, but surprisingly only when I am in the US. My stomach does not rumble like that when I am in Kenya or when I use KETEPA loose tea). Anyway, try any of these or any other Kenyan tea brand and see which one you love. Note that the tea leaves come in both plain and spiced, that is, with ginger, etc., incorporated. So, choose carefully.

Must You Add Sugar to Your Mixed Tea?

No. Absolutely not. As more people take note of their sugar intake, it is no longer a common practice even in Kenya to add sugar to mixed tea when making it. Instead, the tea is made sugarless and those who wish to add sugar add it themselves. This also allows everyone to add their preferred amount. I personally do not add sugar to my tea with milk because I love its taste without sugar. This leads me to the next section about what amount of milk to include in tea.

Chai Fupi (‘Short Tea’) vs Chai Ndefu (‘Long Tea’)

If you’ve been to Kenya, you may have heard these two hilarious phrases being used to describe tea with varying amounts of milk in it. If you are Kenyan, you’ve definitely heard these phrases or even used them to either praise or complain about the beverage. Chai fupi – ‘short tea’ is used by Kenyans to refer to tea with more milk than water, and chai ndefu – ‘long tea’ refers to dilute tea with less milk and more water. Many Kenyans prefer the former and will often complain if served ‘long tea.’ Many restaurants in the country, unless quite high-end, are notorious for serving this ‘long tea’ to maximize profits, and Kenyans always point that out.

When you try this recipe, you can choose to make your tea as ‘long’ or as ‘short’ as you wish. I usually use whole milk and add water in a ratio of 1:1. Sometimes, I will add just a little more milk than water. You can also choose to use low-fat milk in which case you would not need to add any more water. As for non-dairy milk with this tea, I have not tried that, and I am not sure how it would taste.

Strong Tea (Sturungi) in Kenya

‘Strong tea’ as used in Kenya, and referred to as ‘sturungi’ or ‘turungi’ locally, is basically sweet black tea. Unlike the iced tea in the United States, the Kenyan black tea is also served hot. I mention this in another article in my blog that Kenyans mostly think of this ‘strong tea’ as struggle food which they fall back on only when they cannot afford milk. Exceptions include those who are allergic to milk or can’t use it for other dietary reasons. But generally, strong tea is not as popular in Kenya as I have seen in the United States. It is not served at cozy events or to guests unless they specifically ask for it. Otherwise, the host will most likely apologize for not having milk in the tea. At least, that is how I have personally observed.

To make Kenyan black tea, simply boil water, add loose black tea leaves, sieve into a cup, and stir in sugar. Better yet, place hot water into a mug, add a tea bag, and stir in sugar. You can add spices like ginger, tea masala, or even lemon juice to black tea.

How to Make Kenyan Tea with Milk – The African Mixed Tea

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make the one-pot mixed tea.

Ingredients

• Milk: Preferably whole dairy milk. You can also use low-fat milk.
• Water: Often added if using whole milk as it can be too heavy. If you wish, you can omit water and make your tea with pure whole milk.
• Tea leaves: You will need loose black tea leaves for this recipe. Common Kenyan brands include Kericho Gold, KETEPA, and Baraka Chai.
• Sugar – to taste. Both brown and white sugar work just fine.
• Tea spices – optional.

Key Steps and Tips

#1. Bring water to a boil in a pot, then add milk and reduce heat to medium. You can also combine both at the beginning and bring the mixture to a boil. No harm whatsoever.

#2. When the milk-water combo begins to form bubbles in preparation to boil, add the loose tea leaves and any spices you plan to add. Do not disturb until the mixture boils and begins to rise. I’ve observed that if you add the tea leaves to cold milk, or start stirring the tea before it boils, the resulting mixed tea is darker and not as nice-looking.

#3. Once it starts to rise, add sugar and stir immediately with a sieve or a spoon. If you are not adding sugar to your mixed tea, then stir the tea at this stage and reduce the heat further so it does not boil over.

#4. Let the tea cook for about a minute on low heat. This is especially good if you are using spices like tea masala as further cooking will allow the spice to incorporate well into the tea.

#5. Sieve the tea into a pot or a thermos flask and it is ready to serve.

What to serve with Kenyan Tea

Whoa! The list is endless! Here’s how Kenyans do it, and I have also included other possible and awesome accompaniments. You can combine these in any way you like. As a rule of thumb, a carbohydrate, a protein, and some fruits or veggies of your choice will do you good.

• Maandazi – a fried doughnut-like sweet dough made with eggs, milk, and butter.
• Mahamri – also fried sweet dough made with coconut milk.
• Chapati – unleavened flatbread.
• Banana pancakes – yum!

• Bread with margarine, jelly, or groundnut butter
• Boiled tubers – arrowroots, sweet potatoes, yams, etc.
• Steamed or boiled pumpkins, green bananas, etc.
• Scrambled eggs, boiled eggs, omelets, scotch eggs, etc.
• Bacon – crispy and tasty

• Samosas (sambusa)
• Sausage
• Muffins
• Cakes
• Doughnuts
• Croissants
• Let me just say, you can serve tea with just about anything you eat.

Can you preserve leftover tea with milk?

Yes, you can preserve Kenyan tea with milk for a day or two, but it will darken over time and the fresh taste will be gone. To preserve, let it cool down fully in an open container, then cover with a lid and place it in the fridge. You can later warm it in the microwave or on the stove.

Print the Recipe