Tea undergoes several processes before it becomes ready for drinking.
Withering - This is a drying and leaf preserving process that takes up to two days.
Rolling - The green leaves are rolled and twisted under pressure to break up the cellular structure of the leaves for the purpose of releasing the juices and enzymes that give tea its characteristic flavor.
Roll-breaking - After rolling, the tea leaves become pressed into clumps that are broken up to separate the fine from the coarse leaves. Then the coarse leaves are rolled again. This process begins oxidation in the leaves from the heat that is generated.
Fermentation - During this 8 hour process, the leaves, spread on a cement, glass or tile floor, turn a bright copper color. And it is at this stage that tannin, which affects the strength, body, pungency and color of tea, is developed. A short fermentation results in a pungent tea, and a longer one produces a tea with a fuller flavor.
Firing - During this final process, the tea leaves are dried by being passed slowly under hot dry air at a carefully controlled temperature.
Withering - This is a drying and leaf preserving process that takes up to two days.
Rolling - The green leaves are rolled and twisted under pressure to break up the cellular structure of the leaves for the purpose of releasing the juices and enzymes that give tea its characteristic flavor.
Roll-breaking - After rolling, the tea leaves become pressed into clumps that are broken up to separate the fine from the coarse leaves. Then the coarse leaves are rolled again. This process begins oxidation in the leaves from the heat that is generated.
Fermentation - During this 8 hour process, the leaves, spread on a cement, glass or tile floor, turn a bright copper color. And it is at this stage that tannin, which affects the strength, body, pungency and color of tea, is developed. A short fermentation results in a pungent tea, and a longer one produces a tea with a fuller flavor.
Firing - During this final process, the tea leaves are dried by being passed slowly under hot dry air at a carefully controlled temperature.
