Maison Chai

Maison Chai Responsibly quenching your thirst; one cup of tea at a time.

07/05/2026

Mother’s Day in Kenya is Sunday 10th June.

Flowers die. Tea doesn’t.

Give her a cup made by women like her. Mama Rachel in Nyeri. Mama Miller in Kericho.

Shop Silver Needle, purple tea or breakfast blends on our website.

Order now for delivery.

Aberdares or Rift Valley. The choice changes everything.Here is why.The Rift Valley splits Kenya into two distinct tea g...
04/05/2026

Aberdares or Rift Valley. The choice changes everything.

Here is why.

The Rift Valley splits Kenya into two distinct tea growing regions. The escarpment creates different climates, different soils, and different teas.

The Aberdares lie east of the Rift. The mountain range catches morning mist and benefits from volcanic, well drained soils. Teas from the Aberdares are brighter, more floral, and crisper on the palate. Think wild honey, malt, and a clean finish.

The Rift Valley sits west of the escarpment. It is warmer, with richer organic matter in the soil and higher humidity. Teas from the Rift Valley are deeper, fuller, and creamier. Think cocoa richness, earthy undertones, and a body that lingers.

Same country. Same standards. Two completely different cups.

That is why we let you choose. Every tea in our collection is available from both sides of the Rift. Orthodox, purple, white, or CTC. You pick the terroir that speaks to you.

Shop the full collection on our website.

We deliver across East Africa, the UK, and internationally.

Aberdare oolong. A tea that refuses to pick a side.It looks like a black orthodox tea, dark and tightly rolled. But the ...
04/05/2026

Aberdare oolong. A tea that refuses to pick a side.

It looks like a black orthodox tea, dark and tightly rolled. But the aroma tells a different story. Vegetal, fresh, almost like a green tea. Then you taste it and everything balances. Neither fully green nor fully black. Just perfectly between.

Oolong from this region tastes different to Chinese oolongs. There is no heavy roast, no creamy orchid notes, no stone fruit sweetness. Instead you get something earthier, cleaner, and more direct. The altitude and volcanic soils of the Aberdares express themselves in the cup.

And then there is the leaf itself. Look closely at the dry leaf and you will see the beauty of semi oxidation. Some parts are still vegetal green, holding onto their freshness. Others have turned brown from gentle oxidation. The same leaf, two colours, one careful craft.

Brew it like a black tea but with slightly cooler water, around 85 degrees Celsius. Let it open slowly. What you get is a cup that is smooth, lightly floral, and quietly complex.

Now available on our website. East Africa deliveries ready to ship. UK deliveries from 15th May.

Visit the link in bio to explore Aberdare oolong.

01/05/2026

Behind every cup of Maison Chai is a story of labour.

This reel takes you inside that story.

You will see orthodox teas being carefully rolled, leaf by leaf. CTC tea being crushed, torn, and curled for the perfect stove top brew. White tea buds drying gently, barely touched by human hands. And the farm itself, green and alive, where it all begins.

Labour Day is a reminder that tea does not appear on your shelf by magic. It is plucked, processed, sorted, and packed by people who wake up early and take pride in their work.

We are grateful for every single one of them.

Watch until the end. Then go make yourself a cup.

A customer came to us with two requests.She wanted to relax. And she wanted to regulate her blood sugar.So we built her ...
22/04/2026

A customer came to us with two requests.

She wanted to relax. And she wanted to regulate her blood sugar.

So we built her a blend of purple tea, chamomile, and hibiscus.

Purple tea is indigenous to Kenya and rich in anthocyanins, compounds shown to improve insulin sensitivity and support metabolic health. It is smooth, low in caffeine, and never bitter.

Chamomile is gentle but powerful. It has been used for centuries to calm the nervous system, reduce anxiety, and encourage restful sleep.

Hibiscus adds tartness and depth. Studies suggest it can help lower blood pressure and reduce blood sugar spikes after meals.

Together they create a cup that is softly floral, slightly tangy, and deeply soothing. The hibiscus lifts the palate while the chamomile and purple tea hold everything in balance. It is the kind of tea you sip slowly, without rushing, as the evening settles around you.

This blend was made for her. But we can make it for you too.

To order, simply email us at [email protected]

Purple tea is indigenous to Kenya. 🇰🇪You will not find it growing wild in China, India, or Japan. It was developed here,...
21/04/2026

Purple tea is indigenous to Kenya. 🇰🇪

You will not find it growing wild in China, India, or Japan. It was developed here, in Kenya, by the Tea Research Institute, and it remains one of the country’s most unique agricultural exports.

So why is it purple?

The colour comes from anthocyanins, the same water soluble pigments found in blueberries, acai, and purple corn. Unlike green tea, which contains very low levels of anthocyanins, purple tea has been bred to express them in high concentration. The leaves turn purple when exposed to direct sunlight, a natural stress response that acts as a built in sunscreen for the plant.

Here is where it gets interesting. When you add lemon, the acidity activates the anthocyanins and the tea turns a vivid purple. That is exactly what you see in frame four. No artificial colours, just chemistry in your cup.

For the drinker, this means two things.

First, you get a dramatic colour change that never gets old.

Second, you get a significant antioxidant boost. Anthocyanins are among the most bioactive polyphenols, linked to reduced inflammation, improved metabolic health, and better vision.

In terms of taste, purple tea is smooth and low in astringency. It lacks the grassiness of green tea and the heaviness of black tea. Instead, it offers a mild, slightly nutty sweetness with no bitterness.

You can find our purple teas on our website, available as single origin from both the Aberdares and the Rift Valley.

East Africa deliveries ready to ship. UK deliveries from 15th May.

Visit the link in bio to explore Kenyan purple tea.

Purple tea meets butterfly pea. 💜🦋Two beautiful plants. One unexpected cup.The liquor comes out a rich purple colour, pi...
20/04/2026

Purple tea meets butterfly pea. 💜🦋

Two beautiful plants. One unexpected cup.

The liquor comes out a rich purple colour, picked up from the purple tea combined with the butterfly pea. No artificial colours needed. Just nature showing off.

Butterfly pea flower is a showstopper. It is rich in antioxidants, particularly proanthocyanidins, which support collagen production and skin health. It is also known to boost memory, reduce stress, and promote hair growth. A true beauty tea.

Now for the taste. Unlike the bright, tart notes of our Bloom tea, this blend is earthy and mellow. A total juxtaposition. The purple tea brings a smooth, low caffeine base while the butterfly pea adds a subtle vegetal depth. Together they create a cup that is grounding, calming, and quietly stunning to look at.

This one is not on our website. It is a special offering for those who ask.

If you would like it, simply send us a DM to order.

£15 for 75g or 1,500 KES for 75g.

FOP versus OP1. A story of functionality.Not all orthodox teas are created equal. The grade changes everything. Swipe to...
18/04/2026

FOP versus OP1. A story of functionality.

Not all orthodox teas are created equal. The grade changes everything. Swipe to see individual shots of each grade.

Both teas in this post come from the same garden in the Aberdares. They are made from leaves harvested from the same bushes. And they look really similar.

But they smell totally different.

Flowery Orange Pekoe or FOP smells woody and floral. Earthy, warm, and grounded.

OP1 or Orange Pekoe One smells grassy and floral. Almost like a green tea but fermented. Brighter, fresher, more delicate. OP1 is also more wiry, with tightly rolled, slender leaves that speak to its careful processing.

FOP is plucked as the top two leaves and a terminal bud. It is bold, brisk, and forgiving. FOP is made for people like our founder Wangu, who are heavy handed brewers. You can steep it a little too long or a little too hot and it will still taste good. Functionality here means reliability.

OP1 is plucked as a single, tender leaf just below the bud. No second leaf. No stem. Just one perfect leaf. OP1 is better produced, more delicate, and requires real skill to make.

But if you can brew delicately, with care, OP1 offers a more refined floral taste. Even across both terroirs, the OP1 expresses itself with greater fragrance and less malt. It asks for a lower temperature and a shorter steep. In return, it gives you elegance.

Both are available on our website. East Africa deliveries ready to ship. UK deliveries from 15th May.

Visit the link in bio to explore the grades.

Silver Needle is the least processed tea we make.No rolling. No roasting. Just plucking, withering, and gentle drying. T...
18/04/2026

Silver Needle is the least processed tea we make.

No rolling. No roasting. Just plucking, withering, and gentle drying. That is it.

Swipe to see the journey.

Frame one shows the green bud, still covered in fine white down. That fuzz is where the name comes from.

Frame two is the dried bud. Pale silver green, delicate as a feather.

Frame three is the bud rehydrated with water. It blooms again, releasing everything it kept for itself.

Frame four is the liquor. Pale, luminous, almost translucent. That is purity in a cup.

To steep Silver Needle, use water at 70 to 80 degrees Celsius. Anything hotter will scorch the buds and steal their sweetness. Steep for three to four minutes and watch them dance.

The taste is floral and impossibly light with gentle notes of honeysuckle. There is no astringency here. Just softness.

Now you can choose who plucks your Silver Needle.

Mama Rachel from our Nyeri farm on the eastern side of the Rift. Her buds produce a brighter, more floral cup with a crisp, clean finish.

Mama Miller from our Kericho farm on the western side of the Rift. Her buds produce a creamier, fuller body with honeyed undertones and a lingering softness.

Same leaf. Same craft. Different sides of the Rift. Terroir changes everything.

Visit the link in bio to choose your Silver Needle.

A client in Paris, France came to us with a vision.She wanted something bold and aromatic. Something that would wake her...
17/04/2026

A client in Paris, France came to us with a vision.

She wanted something bold and aromatic. Something that would wake her senses without overwhelming them.

So we put together Flowery Orange Pekoe, Zanzibari cinnamon, cloves, black pepper, and ginger.

We named it Spiced Fleur. And we loved it so much we added it to our main collection.

This blend is inspired by the classic Swahili masala chai, but elevated and accessible for those who don’t want to brew tea on a stove. Just steep, sip, and travel to the coast.

Now you can choose your FOP base.

Aberdare FOP brings a bright, brisk character with notes of malt and wild honey. Lighter on the tongue, letting the spices dance.

Rift Valley FOP brings a deeper, fuller body with a touch of cocoa richness. Bolder and more grounded, allowing the spices to sink in.

Even in orthodox teas, terroir makes a massive difference. The same leaf, the same plucking standard, but two sides of the Rift create two completely different cups.

Zanzibari cinnamon offers a sweeter, more delicate warmth than cassia. Cloves add a gentle numbing spice. Black pepper brings heat. Ginger rounds it all out with earthy depth.

Swipe to the second frame to see the delightful Spiced Fleur, notice the rich golden amber colour that comes from the Flowery Orange Pekoe. That is what luxury looks like in a cup.

Spiced Fleur is available now on our website. East Africa deliveries ready to ship. UK deliveries from 15th May.

Visit the link in bio to choose your side of the Rift.

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Nyeri

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+254708391193

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