Introduction:Venture into Malaysia’s Cameron Highlands to explore the hidden tea gardens and classic tea offerings of BOH, the country’s largest tea brand. This article takes you on a tour of the BOH TEA CENTRE, delving into its history and tea garden distribution, while offering detailed reviews of five popular tea varieties—including Golden Supreme Black Tea and Mango Flavored Tea—complete with aroma, taste evaluations, and practical brewing tips to help you find the tea that best suits your palate.
Since its establishment in 1929, the renowned Malaysian tea brand BOH has been the country’s largest tea producer, responsible for approximately 70% of the nation’s tea output. The brand’s Cameron Highlands tea gardens, located about 260 kilometers from Kuala Lumpur and roughly a three-hour drive away, are a key hill station developed in Malaysia since the 1930s. In addition to stunning tea plantation scenery, the area also features a visitor-friendly tea factory and a tea restaurant, allowing guests to experience the full journey—from tea plucking and production to tasting.
In the Cameron Highlands, besides BOH’s tea gardens, there is another notable tea garden worth visiting—the Cameron Valley Tea House. Both are situated in the highland region, enjoying a cool climate with an average annual temperature of around 18°C, making them perfect for summer retreats and leisurely exploration. However, if you wish to gain a deeper understanding of Malaysia’s tea industry, BOH’s tea gardens and TEA CENTRE are definitely the top choices.
BOH has also set up another tea tourism center at Sungai Palas, which features well-maintained viewing trails and a sky-high glass tea restaurant, along with a tea production visitor factory where guests can closely observe the journey of black tea—from leaves to brewed cup. As of 2016, the BOH Group managed four tea estates: Habu, Fairlie Tea Garden, Sungai Palas Tea Garden, and Bukit Cheeding in Selangor, covering a total area of about 1,200 hectares with an annual tea output of up to 4 million kilograms, solidifying its position as the leading supplier of tea in Malaysia.
The founder of the BOH brand, JA Russell, was a British businessman who arrived during the British colonial period in Malaya. Influenced by British afternoon tea culture, he resolved to establish tea plantations locally. Today, BOH is not only Malaysia’s largest tea factory, but its classic red-packaged black tea also represents the national tea drink, readily available in supermarkets across the country.
Stepping into the BOH TEA CENTRE, visitors can sample various teas, observe the inner workings of the tea factory, and stroll along the garden trails to enjoy the fresh highland air. The garden’s glass tea restaurant offers a variety of tea snacks paired with freshly brewed tea, providing a truly relaxing experience. On-site tea orders are served by the pot, with free refills available—each additional pot costs approximately MYR 0.50, making it an ideal spot to share a leisurely afternoon with family or friends.
It’s worth noting that while BOH’s classic black tea is widely available in supermarkets, many limited-edition or specialty tea varieties are sold exclusively at the garden shops—such as the five curated tea selections introduced below. Each of these teas has its own unique characteristics, suiting different occasions and taste preferences. Their flavors and brewing suggestions are explored in detail below.
1. Golden Supreme Black Tea
This tea carries a delicate aroma of fresh grass and herbage, with a deep-colored liquor and a beautiful golden ring visible at the rim of the cup. The taste is relatively light and refreshing—not overly strong—with a less pronounced layering, making it a good match for starchy snacks such as bread or biscuits. Its character is similar to that of Nilgiri or Ceylon Uva black teas, but over-brewing may result in astringency and dryness. It is recommended to control brewing time to achieve the best flavor.
2. Mango Flavored Tea
A fruit-forward flavored tea highlighted by genuine mango aroma, paired with a soft black tea base. When hot, the fruity notes are intense, featuring the sweet scent of naturally ripe mango, though it performs weaker when served cold—making it unsuitable for iced tea. Overall, the flavor is well-balanced, appealing to fruit tea lovers, though those seeking more complex layers might consider other options.
3. Lemon Citrus
Combining the fresh aromas of lemon and sweet orange, with especially prominent orange peel notes, these two citrus profiles complement each other, delivering a crisp and refreshing taste. A moderate amount of sugar is recommended to enhance overall flavor. Hot brewing performs better, but prolonged steeping can bring out astringency, and adding ice does little to mask this downside. Suited for those who prefer simple citrus tones.
4. Lemongrass Ginger Tea
Made with lemongrass rather than ordinary lemon, along with sweet slices of ginger, this tea delivers a fresh yet mildly spicy aroma. The ginger flavor is not overpowering, resulting in a gentle and refreshing profile ideal for summer consumption. The tea liquor is lighter in color and best enjoyed hot; it’s a tea that can invigorate the spirit.
5. Orange Earl Grey Tea
This tea uses black tea sourced from Malaysia’s highland regions such as Cameron Valley and Sabah as its base, blended with tropical fruit flavors from Southeast Asia to deliver a uniquely local character. The scents of orange and bergamot meld harmoniously, and the tea bag format makes it convenient to brew. It is one of the most widely consumed teas in Malaysia, even more recognized than some imported brands.
If you’re interested in BOH teas, it’s recommended to visit the Cameron Highlands to experience the tea gardens and factories firsthand, and explore the garden shop for exclusive tea selections. Additionally, other specialty tea shops offer similar flavor profiles—feel free to compare and sample to discover your personal favorite.
The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.
