It’s hard to think of a more versatile drink than tea. When the weather is cold or rainy, hot tea can be drunk to provide a comfortable warm feeling. When served cold, iced tea can also be a thirst quencher on a hot and sunny day.
But what exactly is tea? Tea is a beverage that contains caffeine, which is made by brewing the dried leaves, shoots, or petioles of the Camellia Sinensis plant with hot water. The term “tea” is also used for beverages made from brewed fruit, spices or other medicinal plants, such as rosehip, chamomile, chrysanthemum and jiaogulan teas. Tea that does not contain tea leaves is commonly called herbal tea. But this time we will discuss how the process of tea leaves is made.
Tea Illustration
How is Tea Made?
The best tea leaves are obtained from the buds of the tea plant. The tea leaves that are picked are the two leaves that are on the shoots and one floret. Usually plucked by human hands. In addition, there is also a way to pick tea leaves, the stems of the leaves should not be twisted or clamped, but pulled.
Then the tea leaves that have been picked are dried in a place with good air circulation. This withering process serves to prevent oxidation. This process reduces the weight of the tea leaves by up to a quarter because the water content in the leaves is reduces a lot.
The next process is that the tea leaves will be put into a room with a certain temperature to undergo the oxidation process. This process can determine what tea you want to make because the oxidation requirements for each type of tea are different. Oolong tea is usually allowed to oxidise to 40%. While in black tea, the oxidation process is allowed to reach 100%. For green or matcha teas, oxidation is allowed to be minimal. The oxidation process can be stopped by heating. Usually done by roasting, drying, blowing hot air, or roasting tea leaves.
The tea processing process is complicated and takes a long time, but this process is needed to ensure the quality of the tea you drink is of the best quality.
Islandsun has a variety of tea profiles that can be customised to your business. Our experience of more than 30 years in the beverage and food industry can help your business grow. Contact us about tea extract for your beverage and food business and its application.
Tea Manufacturing Process Tea Manufacturing Process