Ever woondered how the leaves in your cup of tea get their unique flavor? It all comes down to*tea processing. This tea production process turns fresh tea leaves into the various types of tea we enjoy, like black, green, or white. Let's break it down.
What Is Tea processing?
Tea processing is the journey that tea leaves take from the moment they're picked to when they become the tea you drink. This journey involves several steps, each playing a crucial role in creating the final taste and aroma of the tea.
Key steps in tea processing
1. Harvesting: The process begins with picking the tea leaves. Skilled workers choose the best leaves, usually the top two leaves and a bud. These are the freshest and most tender parts of the plant.
2. Withering: After harvesting, the leaves are laid out to wither. This step reduces their moisture content, making them pliable for the next stages. It’s a crucial step that begins to develop the flavor.
Picture : Green Tea Leaves being Withered on a trough
3. Rolling: The withered leaves are then rolled to shape them and to release their juices. This step helps to bring out the tea's flavor.
Picture: Tea Rolling Machine for small batch Production
4. Oxidation: Here's where the magic happens. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that occurs when the tea leaves are exposed to air. This step changes the leaves' color and flavor. For black tea, leaves are fully oxidized, turning dark and rich. For green tea, oxidation is stopped early to keep the leaves green and fresh-tasting.
5. Drying: Finally, the leaves are dried to stop oxidation and lock in the flavor. This also makes the leaves ready for storage and brewing.
Fig: Artisan using Cabinet electric dryer for drying teas
Types of tea and their processing
- Black Tea: Fully oxidized leaves give black tea its bold flavor and dark color. Think of teas like Assam or Darjeeling.
- Green Tea: Lightly processed with minimal oxidation, green tea retains its green color and fresh taste. Examples include Sencha and Longjing.
- White Tea: The least processed of all, white tea is simply withered and dried, resulting in a delicate, subtle flavor.
Picture: A worker hand sorting White Loose Leaf Tea
Why does tea processing matter?
Understanding tea processing helps you appreciate the effort that goes into every cup. Different processing methods create different flavors, making each type of tea unique. Whether you prefer the strong taste of black tea or the lightness of green tea, it’s all thanks to how the leaves are processed.
Conclusion: The journey of tea leaves
Next time you sip your tea, think about the journey those leaves have taken—from a lush garden to your cup. Tea processing is both an art and a science, and it's what makes your favorite drink so special.
Written By:
Bhaskar Dahal
2nd Generation Tea Entrepreneur
Founder and C.E.O, Nepal Hills Tea Inc.
