About Chanzo Tea
At Chanzo Tea, we believe that tea is more than just a beverage—it’s a story of culture, craftsmanship, and connection.
For decades, Kenyan tea remained largely anonymous in global markets, often used as a base in blended teas. But today, that is changing. With rising quality, growing variety, and a new focus on specialty and orthodox production, Kenyan teas are earning their place among the world’s most celebrated origins.
Founded in 2024, Chanzo Tea is a Czech–Kenyan partnership dedicated to showcasing the best of Kenyan tea. As a licensed wholesaler, we specialize in premium orthodox teas of all types and are committed to connecting Kenyan producers with tea shops, retailers, and enthusiasts around the world.
We’re happy to provide more information about our current selection and pricing upon request. Whether you're looking for high-quality orthodox tea, smaller batches of CTC, or unique specialty teas crafted to order, we’re here to help.
Susan Amondi Okiri, Co-founder and Director
Susan is a proud Kenyan with a deep passion for her country’s tea heritage. She holds a B.A. in Education Arts with Information Technology from Maseno University and an M.Sc. in Governance and Regional Integration from the Pan African University in Yaoundé, Cameroon.
Before co-founding Chanzo Tea, Susan worked in the education sector as a high school teacher, where she was dedicated to improving literacy rates, boosting secondary school enrollment, and empowering girls through education.
Her journey into tea began when she was posted to the rural Nandi Hills—one of Kenya’s most renowned tea-growing regions. There, she developed a profound appreciation for the beauty and potential of Kenyan tea.
Inspired by this experience, Susan set out to share the finest Kenyan teas with the world—bridging local producers with global tea lovers.
Jan Petrasek, Co-founder and Head of European Operations
Driven by a deep passion for tea and beverages, Jan co-founded Chanzo Tea with Susan Okiri to bring high-quality Kenyan teas to the European market. Originally from the Czech Republic, Jan holds an MBA from National Taipei University of Technology and a Master’s degree in Global Security and Strategy from the Brussels School of Governance.
Before entering the tea industry, Jan worked across diverse sectors including biotechnology, nanofibers, and international policy think tanks. His global outlook was shaped by years living in major tea-producing and trading regions such as Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and mainland China. It was during this time that his appreciation for tea took root and grew into a calling.
Inspired by his visit to Kenya and the exceptional quality of its teas, Jan made the decision to dedicate himself fully to tea trading—connecting Kenyan producers with discerning European tea shops and consumers.