Tea manufacturing is a meticulous process that transforms freshly plucked leaves into the delightful beverage we love. Here’s a step-by-step guide to how tea is manufactured:

1. Plucking: Tea leaves are hand-picked from the tea bushes. Only the top two leaves and a bud are selected to ensure the highest quality.
2. Withering: The freshly plucked leaves are spread out on racks to reduce moisture content. This process, lasting 12-17 hours, makes the leaves more pliable for the next stages.
3. Rolling: Withered leaves are rolled to break the cell walls, releasing essential oils. This step is crucial for developing the tea’s flavor and aroma.
4. Oxidation: Rolled leaves are spread out in a cool, humid environment to oxidize. This process, varying in duration, determines the tea type: short oxidation for green tea, medium for oolong, and full for black tea.
5. Drying: The oxidized leaves are dried using hot air to stop oxidation and reduce moisture to about 3%. This step ensures the tea’s longevity and stabilizes its flavor.
6. Sorting and Grading: The dried leaves are sorted and graded based on size and quality. Larger leaves are typically considered higher quality, while smaller leaves are used for tea bags.
7. Packaging: The sorted tea is then packaged to preserve its freshness and flavor until it reaches consumers.

From the lush tea gardens to your cup, each step in the manufacturing process is vital in creating the perfect brew.