Abstract:
A study was conducted at the Tea Research Foundation of Kenya (TRFK) to investigate the plain black tea quality parameters of 12 accessions of purple leaf coloured tea clones in Kenya. The clones were developed in line with Kenyan government requirement of vision 2030 of diversifying its tea products. TRFK 6/8 was used as a reference standard clone in this study because of its proven black tea quality. Total the aflavins, total colour, brightness percentage and Thearubigins were determined using spectrophotometer. Beverages method was used in determining total soluble solids. Sensory evaluation was done by regular tasters from tea factories around Kericho area. Completely randomized design with three replications was adopted for this study. Data analysis on lab results were done using General Linear Model of Statistical Analysis System (SAS, version 9.1) and Duncan multiple range tests was used for means separation. Sensory results were subjected to one-way analysis of variance using Graph pad Prism version 5.0. TRFK 73/1, TRFK KS 2 and TRFK 83/1 had high levels of the aflavins and consequently high total colour and brightness percentage. Clone TRFK 73/7 had relative low plain black tea quality parameters among the purple leaf coloured tea clones. All purple leaf coloured clones had brisk liquors except TRFK 73/7 which had fairly brisk liquors.
