Zomba Pearls is a white tea offered by the American company Elevation Tea Company, originating from the Shire Highlands of Malawi. The company does not produce the tea itself but sources it from a family-owned estate that has been growing and processing tea in the region since 1923. The tea is made from the leaves of a specific Zomba cultivar, which are briefly withered after harvesting. Each whole leaf is then hand-rolled on a rough surface until it forms a characteristic small pearl. The shaped pearls are immediately and slowly sun-dried outdoors, making production dependent on suitable weather conditions. Only very slight natural oxidation occurs during processing, allowing the leaves to retain the characteristics of white tea. Production is extremely limited, and according to Elevation Tea Company, only around 20 kilograms of this tea are made each year. Zomba Pearls has a floral aroma and a medium-bodied character that is more pronounced than that of many other white teas. Its flavor profile features notes of cashew, honeysuckle, and ripe apricot. The pearls gradually unfurl during brewing, allowing the same leaves to be used for several successive infusions. The company recommends using three to four pearls per approximately 180 to 240 milliliters of water heated to around 82 degrees Celsius, with a steeping time of three minutes. According to tea makers at the estate, the first Zomba Pearls were created approximately 15 years ago as a result of local experimentation with hand-processing techniques. Elevation Tea Company currently lists it among its best-selling products and offers it as one of its representative teas from Malawi.