Effect of withering on the polyphenol oxidase level in the tea leaf

The level of polyphenol oxidase in tea leaf (Camellia sinensis) decreased on partial desiccation of the leaf during the withering process of black tea manufacture. However, sufficient activity remained, even after withering, to oxidise the available substrate in the leaf. The loss in activity due to desiccation was restored on rehydration.     

How manufacturing processes affect the level of pesticide residues in tea

Tea (both green and black) is consumed throughout the world, both for pleasure and therapeutic purposes. Most people will be unaware of their involuntary exposure to residues of pesticides lingering in processed tea and so possibly transferring into infusions of tea. The purpose of this work was to study the effect of green tea and orthodox black tea manufacturing processes on the fate of pesticides sprayed onto tea bushes (Camellia sinensis). The fates of residues of dimethoate, quinalphos, dicofol and deltamethrin in these two different types of tea manufacturing processes were compared. For black tea, the manufacturing process involves leaf harvesting, withering, rolling, fermentation and drying; and for green tea, leaf harvesting, microwave heating, rolling and drying. The two processes resulted in the same concentration factor of plant material into the dried commodity, while the decreases in residue levels were different for different pesticides. Initial microwave heating and dehydration in the green tea manufacturing process resulted in greater loss of pesticide residues than did withering and dehydration in black tea; no significant reduction in residue level resulted from the rolling and fermentation steps in black tea. Residue levels in both green and black teas were reduced during final drying. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Influence of withering, including leaf handling, on the manufacturing and quality of black teas - a review

Literature on the influence of withering on maceration, fermentation and drying and on black tea quality is reviewed. The importance of including the handling of the leaf in the field and during transportation as an integral part of withering is stressed. The influence of physical and chemical changes in the green leaf, during withering, on the quality of black teas is discussed. Withering practices vary with climate, producing region, the type of manufacturing process and demands by the markets. Mechanised withering may improve quality by reduced handling of the leaf. The influence of plucking standards on withering and the effect of withering on the storage of tea are discussed.     

The effect of withering on fermentation of tea leaf and development of liquor characters of black teas

Depression in polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity during the withering of tea leaf (Camellia sinensis) in black tea manufacture affected the oxidative-condensation of tea flavanols in forming theaflavins (TF) and thearubigins (TR), which are associated with brightness, briskness and ‘body’ of tea liquors. In contrast to conventionally manufactured CTC teas, unwithered fresh leaf CTC produces a higher proportion of TF and lower TR, resulting in bright, brisk and thin liquors. Hardness of wither was accompanied by a further depression in PPO activity, and formation of TF also declined with a concomitant loss in brightness and briskness. The TR content increased up to a certain degree of wither and thereby improved the ‘body’ of the liquor. Very hard wither, accompanied by a large reduction in moisture content, restricts PPO activity. It appears that in the fresh leaf, high moisture levels together with dissolved oxygen accelerate the enzymic oxidation and produce large amounts of TF. Senescence of the leaf seems to facilitate the production of TR.     

Effects of withering on the main physical properties of withered tea leaves and the sensory quality of congou black tea

To explore the relationship between the moisture content of withered tea leaves and their physical properties (i.e., elasticity, plasticity, flexibility, and texture) during withering, texture analyzer was employed to test the elasticity and flexibility of withered tea leaves with different moisture contents. The texture was evaluated by computer vision technology. The withered tea leaves with different moisture contents were used to process congou black tea, which was then subjected to sensory evaluation. Results showed that good elasticity, optimal flexibility, and plasticity were achieved when the moisture content of the withered tea leaves of Fudingdabai comprising two leaves and one bud varied arranging from 65.51 to 61.48%. The sensory evaluation of congou black tea revealed that moderate withering was better than long-term withering and that both moderate and long-term withering were better than no withering during processing. The moisture content was significantly correlated with the flexibility and plasticity of the withered tea leaves. Fresh tea leaves undergoing moderate withering with moisture content of 65.51–61.48% to process congou black tea, good tea shape and liquor color were achieved. This study provided new evidence that the moisture content of withered tea leaves significantly affected the quality of black tea.     

萎凋对茶鲜叶不同叶位叶绿素荧光特征参数的影响

目的研究萎凋对茶叶水分和叶绿素荧光参数的影响。方法采用叶绿素荧光仪Imaging PAM对福云6号7个萎凋时间点进行水分含量测定及叶绿素荧光测定。结果不同叶位叶片萎凋过程的水分含量与叶绿素荧光参数之间具有一定的内在联系。不同叶位之间的叶绿素荧光参数在萎凋后期呈显著差异;叶片水分含量与叶绿素荧光参数的初始荧光F_0、非光化学淬灭系数(non-photochemical quenching, NPQ)之间呈极显著负相关,与叶绿素荧光参数的最大光化学效率F_v/F_m、光合潜在活性F_v/F_0、电子传递效率(electrontransferrate,ETR)、实际光合量子产量Y(Ⅱ)之间呈极显著正相关。结论鉴于上述叶绿素荧光参数与叶片水分含量之间的相关性,初步认为F_0、NPQ、F_v/F_m、F_v/F_0、ETR和Y(Ⅱ)作为茶树鲜叶萎凋过程中水分胁迫程度的指标是可行的,对鲜叶萎凋过程的在线判断具有一定的意义。     

Studies on freeze-withering in black tea manufacturing

In order to reduce the withering time during black tea manufacture, freeze-withering was attempted, which resulted in flaccid leaves with increased cell membrane permeability in a shorter period of time. The freeze-withered leaves had similar amounts of quality precursors as that of the conventionally withered leaves. The resultant black tea was better in quality than those manufactured without withering and after normal withering. Manufacturing of fresh leaves resulted in comparable levels of theaflavins, but the tea was not acceptable due to its harshness. Increased cell membrane permeability during freeze-withering showed that the leaf attained a sufficient degree of physical wither. The decreases in the levels of chlorophyll showed that chemical withering had also been achieved during freeze-withering, which is supported by the increased levels of caffeine.     

萎凋叶含水量对四川中小叶群体种工夫红茶品质形成的影响

目的探索萎凋程度对重庆工夫红茶品质形成的影响。方法以四川中小叶群体种为研究对象,分析比较了3个萎凋含水量:处理A(69.59%)、处理B(65.17%)、处理C(59.20%)萎凋叶红茶加工过程中色泽、多酚氧化酶(polyphenylene oxide, PPO)活性变化及对后续揉捻效果、生化成分、工夫红茶成茶品质形成的影响。结果随着萎凋水分的降低,萎凋叶L*, b*值呈下降的趋势, a*值呈上升的趋势, 4～6 h时均出现了与总体趋势相反的波动;加工过程中,各处理L*,b*值均呈下降的趋势,a*值在发酵前呈增高的趋势,干燥后值减小。成茶色泽L*a*b*值则均表现为处理A处理C处理B。加工过程中PPO活性呈先升后降的趋势,随萎凋程度的加重,高峰往后延迟且活性越强,处理C在发酵环节中活性最高。揉捻环节随着萎凋叶含水量的降低成条率越高,扁条率越低,细胞破碎率越高,处理C效果最好。内含物质随着萎凋叶含水量的减少,茶多酚先增后减,氨基酸先减后增,咖啡碱呈先减后增再减式起伏变化;水浸出物、可溶性糖差异不明显;成茶中处理C综合感官品质表现最好。结论萎凋叶含水量在60%左右时,有利于发挥四川中小叶群体种品种优势,加工出的工夫红茶品质良好。     

A model for predicting black tea quality from the carotenoid and chlorophyll composition of fresh green tea leaf

The plant pigment (carotenoid and chlorophyll) composition of fresh green leaf of tea for a selection of clones was studied in relation to the quality of black tea produced from processing the same green leaf. The plant pigment composition of the green leaf for nine Kenyan clones was monitored by HPLC at 450 nm. Using discriminant analysis it was shown that clones could be distinguished from one another on the basis of their green leaf plant pigment composition. Using step-wise multiple regression analysis, a linear relationship was established between the levels of six green leaf plant pigments peak 5 (neochrome), peak 17 and 18 (isomers of lutein and/or lutein epoxide), peak 23 (chlorophyll b type compound), peak 26 (aurochrome) and peak 28 (β-carotene)) and the quality of the manufactured black tea for the selected clones as assessed by tea tasters' evaluations. The model had an adjusted R-square value of 0.912 and was significant at P≤ 0.05. The value of the relationship as a means of predicting black tea quality is discussed.     

Fate of imidacloprid and acetamiprid residues during black tea manufacture and transfer into tea infusion

The objective of this paper is to investigate the loss/stability of neonicotinoids (imidacloprid and acetamiprid) residues during the manufacture of black tea and to study the transfer of these pesticides from made tea to its infusion. For orthodox black tea, the manufacturing process involves leaf harvesting (plucking two leaves and a bud), withering, rolling, fermentation (oxidation), and drying. Initial withering and final drying resulted in the loss of pesticide residues, but no significant reduction in residue levels resulted from the rolling and fermentation steps. The drying process resulted in a residue transfer of 64–70% and 69–74% of the initial level, whereas the brewing process resulted in a residue transfer of 37–39% and 45–49% of imidacloprid and acetamiprid, respectively, from dried tea into the infusion. The decrease in acetamiprid levels during drying was also significant (8–13%), whereas the total loss during the manufacturing process ranged from 26 to 31%. Further, brewing for longer periods (an extended brewing time) resulted in higher transfer (up to 44% for imidacloprid and 53% for acetamiprid) of pesticides to tea infusion. Further, the extent of pesticide leaching depends on its water solubility, partition coefficient, and the brewing time.     

The Impact of Withering Temperature on Black Tea Quality

High leaf temperatures during the withering process of black tea manufacture decrease the theaflavins, brightness, flavour index and sensory evaluation scores of black tea. Black teas manufactured with withering temperature above 30°C have high thearubigins and total colour levels but lack briskness. Results suggest a need to control temperatures below 30°C during withering.     

Effects of tea leaf waste of green tea,oolong tea,and black tea addition on sudangrass silage quality and in vitro gas production

This study evaluated the fermentation characteristics and in vitro gas production of sudangrass (Sorghum sudanese) silage with tea leaf waste of green tea, oolong tea and black tea added. All types of tea leaf waste contain large amounts of nitrogen (N) and tannins, and a small amount of low‐water‐soluble carbohydrates. Sudangrass was preserved without (control) and with green tea waste (GTW), oolong tea waste (OTW) or black tea waste (BTW) at rates of 50, 100 and 200 g kg^?1 fresh matter in laboratory silos. The pH and butyric acid levels were significantly lower in GTW at all rates and in OTW at the 200 g kg^?1 rate, whereas those levels were high in the control and BTW‐treated silage. Lactic acid level was appreciably higher in GTW‐ and OTW‐treated silage than the control and BTW‐treated silage. The addition of all types of tea waste increased the total N and tannins of the silage, whereas the acid detergent insoluble N was increased in the OTW‐ and BTW‐treated silage. GTW treatment increased gas production within a 96‐h period compared with the control, whereas OTW and BTW additions at 200 g kg^?1 rates caused lower gas production. It is concluded that the fermentation characteristics and feed value of the silage incorporating with tea leaf wastes are different for these types of tea leaf. Among the three kinds of tea waste, GTW is the most valuable material as a silage additive. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

The effect of process parameters on seasonal development of flavour in black tea

Analysis by g.l.c. of ether–extractable steam volatile constituents of black tea from a high elevation tea estate in the Western Region (Dimbulla District) of Sri Lanka during seasonal flavour development, indicated the presence of trans-2-hexenal, n-butyraldehyde, cis-3-hexenol, 1-octen-3-ol linalool, methyl salicylate and geraniol as the main flavour constituents. Of these, trans-2-hexenal and linalool showed appreciable seasonal changes in black tea. Leaf quality and manufacturing practices, particularly withering and fermentation, influenced the production of these compounds during black tea manufacture. It is suggested that the relative concentration of these compounds may be partly responsible for the typical flavour quality of Sri Lanka black teas and these may be used as indices of flavour development.     

Changes undergone by free amino-acids during the manufacture of black tea

(1) An increase in total free amino-acids during the withering stage of tea manufacture was confirmed, and was found to be dependent on storage conditions which promote the onset of senescence in plucked tea shoot tips (especially desiccation). The rate of increase was positively related to temperature up to the point where the tissues were killed, after which no further changes took place. Individually, all the major amino-acids increase during withering except the most abundant amino-acid, theanine, which shows an appreciable decrease. (2) During the fermentation stage of black tea manufacture the concentrations of leucine, isoleucine, serine, glutamic acid, glutamine, threonine and phenylalanine are appreciably reduced. Other free amino-acids undergo little change in concentration. (3) During the drying stage of tea manufacture there is a small general decrease in free amino-acid concentration. (4) There is an active metabolism of free amino-acids in plucked tea shoot tips. Within 3 h of feeding glycine-¹⁴C, radioactivity could be detected in all the free amino-acids and especially in serine which contained about ten times as much ¹⁴C as did glycine after this period. Caffeine increased in concentration and in degree of labelling with time from feeding of glycine-¹⁴C which suggests that the amino-acids are the precursors of this purine compound in tea shoot tips. (5) The effect of these changes on the organoleptic properties of black tea are discussed.     

Seasonal variations in theaflavins,thearubigins, total colour and brightness of Kangra orthodox tea (Camellia sinensis (L) O Kuntze) in Himachal Pradesh

Variations in theaflavins, thearubigins, total colour and brightness of orthodox black tea were studied for four consecutive years (1993–1996) with a view to evaluating the effects of changing weather conditions on the quality of Kangra tea. A degree of withering of 600–650 mg g⁻¹ during the first, second and fourth seasons was optimal for the development of significantly higher brightness and total colour characteristics. The quality of rainy season teas suffered owing to high chlorophyll content and low degree of withering. Hot air circulation through the withering troughs to assist evaporation of leaf moisture increased the brightness and total colour of rainy season teas. High atmospheric demand during the dry season assisted loss of green leaf moisture, but withering and brightness exhibited significant negative correlations with high relative humidity and rainfall. Summer season teas were superior in their total colour and brightness. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

Variations in the leaf standard,chemical composition and quality of black tea (Camellia sinensis) due to plucking intervals

Green leaf standard, chemical composition and quality of black tea (Camellia sinensis (L) O Kuntze) change with plucking intervals. Long plucking intervals lead to poor leaf standard with a lot of mature leaves and lower theaflavins, the sum of volatile flavour compounds imparting a sweet flowery aroma (group II volatile flavour compounds), caffeine contents and tasters' evaluations of black tea. The sum of volatile flavour compounds imparting inferior, grassy, green flavour (group I volatile flavour compounds) to tea, however, increases with long plucking intervals.     

The effects of blending clonal leaf on black tea quality

Although most clones are selected for quality and yields, there are clones in production with superior yields but producing inferior black tea quality and vice versa. Some of these clones with superior yield give very poor black tea quality characteristics. Such clones are normally not progressed in selection programmes. Blending the clonal leaf prior to maceration results in the production of black teas with average quality relative to the amount of the clonal leaf in the mixture. There is no evidence of clonal incompatibility. Slow fermenting clones with superior yields may therefore be selected and planted, provided they are not planted in single stands. ©     

Decaffeination of fresh green tea leaf (Camellia sinensis) by hot water treatment

Hot water treatment was used to decaffeinate fresh tea leaf in the present study. Water temperature, extraction time and ratio of leaf to water had a statistically significant effect on the decaffeination. When fresh tea leaf was decaffeinated with a ratio of tea leaf to water of 1:20 (w/v) at 100 °C for 3 min, caffeine concentration was decreased from 23.7 to 4.0 mg g⁻¹, while total tea catechins decreased from 134.5 to 127.6 mg g⁻¹; 83% of caffeine was removed and 95% of total catechins was retained in the decaffeinated leaf. It is considered that the hot water treatment is a safe and inexpensive method for decaffeinating green tea. However, a large percentage of tea catechins was lost if rolled leaf and dry tea were decaffeinated by the hot water treatment and so the process is not suitable for processing black tea.     

Changes in enzyme activities (polyphenol oxidase and phenylalanine ammonia lyase) with type of tea leaf and during black tea manufacture and the effect of enzyme supplementation of dhool on black tea quality

Variation in polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) activities with respect to different cultural and manufacturing processes and their effects on black tea quality were studied. There was a wide variation between enzyme activities of different clones, as well as variation due to seasonal changes and shoot maturity. Field practices such as plucking rounds and pruning had a great impact on enzyme activities. The enzyme activities positively correlated with tasters' scores. The extent of change in enzyme activities at different stages of manufacture differed widely. The loss of activity during withering could be restored by rehydration. Residual activity was observed in made tea. Supplementation of enzymes enhanced the black tea quality markedly in terms of cuppage and creaming properties.     

Relationship between process of withering and aroma characteristics of black tea

Volatile flavour components (VFC), caffeine, crude fibre, ash and total water soluble solids (TSS) were analysed in orthodox and CTC black teas manufactured from normal and hard withered leaves. With the increase of wither, VFC, TSS and caffeine were found to increase but not crude fibre. The withering process in black tea manufacture appears to control the development of terpenoids, improving flavour quality in brewed tea.