Over the last 10 years, the Tea Board of Kenya has organized the Tea Recipe Competition in an effort to create awareness and boost consumption of tea locally. The Tea Recipe Competitions, attracted a lot of attention from Kenyans from all walks of life and resulted in a boost of local tea consumption from 20.09mn/kgs in 2011 to 38.4mn/kgs in 2021. More recently, in an effort to upscale the competition to an international status, the Board requested to join the Tea Masters Cup International and has been granted the status of National Organizer for the Tea Masters Competition.
Tea Masters Cup (TMC) is an international tournament for tea masters and has been in existence since 2013. It involves people who are engaged in tasting, preparing and serving tea and tea drinks, both professionals and amateurs conducted in four different categories: Tea Preparation, Tea Pairing, Tea Mixology and Tea Tasting.
The Tea Board of Kenya notes that joining the Tea Masters Cup is an important strategy to promote the tea profession, trade, consumption and collaboration with tea stakeholders nationally and globally. In accordance with the agreement reached, as the national coordinator of the Tea Masters Cup (TMC) project in Kenya, Tea Board of Kenya will coordinate the country’s tea industry competition. TBK will ensure the smooth integration of the local tournaments into the international TMC competition system.
Currently, 26 countries are registered to hold national TMC competitions. The international final of the Tea Masters Cup is held annually, following a series of qualifying championships in the participating countries. Countries that have hosted the world championship in the past include Turkey, South Korea, China and Vietnam. The next round of championship is expected to take place in 2023 and Kenya’s entry into this competition will catapult recognition of Kenyan single origin teas to a higher status.
As the largest tea producer in Africa and the first African country to join TMC, it is indeed significant that TMC and TBK have chosen to announce this partnership and launch of the competition during the International Tea Day celebrations on 23rd May 2022. Thereafter, regional competitions culminating to national finals will be held between July 2022 and June 2023.
Kenya is delighted to be part of an international family of tea masters. This is an important milestone as TMC Kenya competitions will bring together thousands of experienced, creative, professional and passionate tea makers of different tea cultures into a single authentic international competition system. Kenya looks forward to showcase her premium teas and finest tea masters. We look forward to TMC supporting Kenya adopt innovative approaches to global tea collaboration, enhanced tea quality and trade.
Peris Mudida
Ag. Chief Executive officer
Tea Board of Kenya
Email: info@teaboard.or.ke
