To make green tea from a tea tree (Camellia sinensis), you need to harvest, process, and steep the leaves.
Here's a breakdown of the process:
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Harvesting: Select young, tender leaves from the tea tree. The "two leaves and a bud" standard is a common practice, meaning the top bud and the two newest leaves are plucked.
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Withering (Optional): Some green tea production methods include a withering stage, where the harvested leaves are spread out and allowed to slightly air dry. This reduces moisture content and can influence the final flavor.
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Steaming or Pan-Firing: This is the crucial step to prevent oxidation, which would turn the leaves into oolong or black tea.
- Steaming: Commonly used in Japanese green teas, steaming preserves a vibrant green color and creates a grassy, vegetal flavor.
- Pan-Firing: More common in Chinese green teas, pan-firing imparts a toasty, nutty flavor.
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Rolling and Shaping: The leaves are rolled or shaped to break the cell walls and release essential oils, influencing the tea's flavor and aroma. Different rolling techniques result in different shapes, such as needle-like, twisted, or pearl-shaped leaves.
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Drying: The leaves are dried to reduce moisture content and ensure they can be stored without spoiling. Drying methods can include baking, air-drying, or using specialized drying machines.
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Sorting and Grading: The dried tea leaves are sorted by size and quality. Different grades of tea leaves are used for different purposes and have varying prices.
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Steeping (Brewing): To make a cup of green tea:
- Heat water to around 170-185°F (77-85°C). Avoid using boiling water, as it can make the tea bitter.
- Place tea leaves in a teapot or infuser. A general guideline is 1 teaspoon of loose leaf tea per 8 ounces (240 ml) of water, but adjust to your preference.
- Pour the hot water over the leaves.
- Steep for 1-3 minutes. Steeping time depends on the type of green tea and your taste preference.
- Remove the leaves or infuser to prevent over-steeping and bitterness.
- Enjoy your freshly brewed green tea!
In essence, you harvest the leaves, prevent them from oxidizing through steaming or pan-firing, shape and dry them, and then steep the dried leaves in hot water to enjoy the beverage.
