Asami "African Culture" is inspired by natural products based on African roots that are nutritious, better-for-you and support good health. Growing up in Africa, tea was a staple in our diet and celebrations. The continent boasts of a rich plethora of cultures with tea having a pivotal role in social rituals. Our products are heritage-based, unique and authentically stirred by shared cultural traditions from Africa, with each product offering a unique story. The refreshing brew will transport you to notable places on the continent of Africa.
Why Asami: The lifelong desire to promote products from African farmers fueled the passion to create Asami. Africa, despite its rich Agri-resources is lost in the value chain; the origin stories are often lost as seen in cocoa and teas. With so many intermediaries, small holder farmers and tea or cocoa loving consumers are the losers. We are sourcing directly from the small holder farmers putting more in their pockets and communities. We connect African farmers to consumers to deliver essential value-added food and beverages to the world.
Do you know? Ghana and Cote D’Ivoire are Top 1 and 2 producers of cocoa beans worldwide but are not on the map for processed cocoa? When you mention teas; most think of Asian origins such as China and India for example. However, Africa also holds its place when talking about tea cultivation and production however that origin story is often lost to Export Trading Companies and Big distributors; losing visibility to African countries of origin like Kenya, Rwanda, Malawi, South Africa etc. and their farmers in the global value chain of teas.
In Africa, tea is big business. From the year-round plantations in Kenya to the centuries-old bushes in Malawi, the continent has a rich and growing tradition when it comes to crafting the perfect brew.
Our partner farmers all over Africa regularly update us on tea and cocoa production and farm life when we can’t be there ourselves. They believe in transparency and share our vision and values about changing the way tea and cocoa are produced, marketed and consumed. Asami is working to forge a different path for small holder farmers in Africa. Invest in the people who make specialty tea and cocoa products.
Your purchase brings income to thousands of African farmers and artisans. Good tea and cocoa comes from good people.
Teas and cocoa from the African continent, Blends of luxury, taste of wellness. Our culture is your culture.
When we talk about tea, the African continent is royalty and one of the largest contributors to the world tea market. Commercial tea cultivation dates as far back as the late 1800s with Malawi being the first followed about two decades later by Africa’s largest tea producer today, Kenya. Africa’s prime tea growers are Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda, Zimbabwe and South Africa. The continent boasts of a rich plethora of cultures with tea having a pivotal role in social and cultural rituals across the continent.
The diverse palates and regional specialties lends into a huge variety of tea blends from the continent. South Africa is known for its herbal health-prized rooibos tea. Moreso, green tea flavored with mint and sugar is the preference in some North African countries like Tunisia, Morocco and Egypt likewise in West African countries such as Senegal and its neighbor Gambia and Mauritania. While, black tea with cream and sugar is preferred in other parts of Africa such as Ghana, Nigeria, Mauritius and Kenya.
Asami brings you a taste of the bold, zesty, spicy, delicate, smooth, subtle, and the list goes on... flavors from Africa’s finest. Come share in premium African tea; our culture is your culture.
Tea is packed with antioxidants and other plant compounds (polyphenols, L-theanine, and cathins) that offer various health benefits. Plant compounds like polyphenols offer protection against development of cancers, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, osteoporosis and neurodegenerative disease. Polyphenols are secondary metabolites of plants and are generally involved in defense against UV radiation or aggression by pathogens. Tea is used as medicine in Africa and is valued everyday for its health improving properties. While drinking tea will contribute to overall health and well-being, it is becoming evidence that the many unique compounds in tea work together to benefit the body, providing protection from stress and disease, and strengthening the bone and immune system. From oral health to digestive health, tea is valued as much for its beneficial attributes as for its delicious flavors. All teas produced from camellia sinensis plants including rooibos and herbal infusions are good for health. Many studies have looked into the effects of green tea extracts in particular, and most recommend drinking at least three cups of tea per day to gain the health benefits.
Caffeine: Tea contains caffeine, a bitter compound that stimulates the nervous system. It is one of the various compounds sent from the roots of the plant to protect and nourish the buds as they grow, and is known to repel insect attacks. There are similar amounts of caffeine in tea per dry leaf weight to coffee. However, the polyphenols (tannins) in tea regulate and slow the release of caffeine, so that the feeling of alertness it gives lasts much longer. Caffeine levels in tea depend on the style of tea used, water temperature, steeping time and the time of the year tea leaves were picked.
