Tea Masters Cup (TMC) an international tournament for tea makers has approved Kenya through the Tea Board of Kenya (TBK) to coordinate the country’s tea industry competitions to ensure smooth integration of the local tournaments into the international TMC competitions.
Kenya is the first country in African region to join TMC.
In a press statement sent to newsrooms signed by both the acting CEO TBK Peris Mudida and Chairman of the tea body Ramaz Chanturiya noted that, joining the TMC was an important strategy to promote the tea profession, trade, consumption, and collaboration with relevant stakeholders both nationally and globally.
“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 23, May, 2022 held in Kericho.
It 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.
The country looks forward to showcase her finest premium teas and finest tea masters and look forward to TMC supporting Kenya adopt innovative approaches to global tea collaboration, enhanced tea quality and trade.” noted Ms Mudida and Mr. Chanturiya said.
TMC has been in existence since 2013 and it involves people who are engaged in tasting, preparing and serving tea and tea drinks by both professionals and amateurs in four different categories notably tea preparation, tea pairing, tea mixology and tea tasting.
Over the last 10 years, TBK has organized the Tea Recipe Competition to create awareness and boost consumption of tea locally with a progressive increase of consumption of tea by locals witnessed from 2011 to 2021.
“Tea Recipe Competition attracted Kenyans from all walks of life and resulted in a boost of local tea consumption from 20.09mn/kilograms in 2011 to 38.4mn/kilograms in 2021,” revealed Ms Mudida and Mr. Chanturiya.
Countries that have hosted the Tea Masters International competition in the past include Turkey, South Korea, China and Vietnam.
Currently 26 countries are registered to hold national TMC competitions, where the national competition is held annually followed by a series of qualifying championships in the participating countries.
“Regional competitions will culminate to national championships to be held between July 2022 and June 2023. Kenya’s entry into this competition will catapult recognition of Kenya single origin teas to a higher status,” said Ms Mudida and Mr. Chanturiya.
By Sarah Njagi
