Have you ever seen a crane dance? The Grey-Crowned Crane, that calls Kenya its home, is a singularly majestic bird. Standing roughly 3.3 feet tall (1 m) and weighing around 7.7 lbs (3.5 kg), it is covered in grayish plumage with small feathers, in a vibrant range of colors, speckled in its white wings. Its head holds a crown of stiff, golden feathers with a face of white above a bright red inflatable pouch on its throat. They dance by pumping their heads, bowing to one another, running, jumping, tossing grass/sticks and flapping their wings. It's quite a spectacle. Ornithologists believe the dancing may help thwart tension, relieve aggression, and strengthen bonds between mates (reasons one may want to adopt while enjoying this tea).
Developed by tea makers in the highlands west of Kenya's Great Rift Valley, Crested Crane is an exquisite Pai Mu Tan style tea that pays great homage to its namesake. Produced by plucking leaves on rain-free days (taking care to avoid purple buds, partially opened leaves, insect damaged leaves, or stems too long or too short) and withering them until they are slightly green in color.
Crested Crane Pai Mu Tan inherits the malty Kenyan pedigree with peachy white notes. Very high in polyphenols.
[Cranes are among the most endangered families of birds in the world, with 11 of the 15 species threatened. www.savingcranes.org]