Hastening of leaf senescence in the processing of green tea leaf to black tea

The current system of processing green tea leaf (Camellia sinensis) to produce black tea involves a long period, especially because of the withering process practised in acquiring leaf senescence which is essential to impart fullness to the resulting tea liquors. Hastening leaf senescence by artificial withering at temperatures favourable to enzymic transformations accelerated the process and considerably shortened the manufacture of black teas.     

萎凋工艺对福鼎白茶品质影响研究

为探讨影响福鼎白茶品质的关键因素,明晰不同萎凋工艺对其品质形成的影响,该试验以新采摘的成熟度、叶片色泽、形状大小基本一致的新鲜嫩叶为试材,研究萎凋工艺对福鼎白茶关键化学成分和感官品质的影响。结果表明自然萎凋和加温萎凋过程中水分含量均显著降低,其中自然萎凋失水速率要低于加温萎凋;茶多酚占总干物质的含量明显下降,加温萎凋过程茶多酚含量损失相比于自然萎凋要高;氨基酸占总干物质的含量随着萎凋时间延长有不同程度的升高。对萎凋叶和成品白茶进行感官评价,发现自然萎凋时间60 h、加温萎凋时间36 h时,萎凋叶具有最佳的外形,成品白茶也具有最佳的感官品质,且自然萎凋的品质要高于加温萎凋。     

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.     

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     

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.     

An investigation into low‐temperature nitrogen plasma environment effect on the content of polyphenols during withering in made Kenyan tea

Low‐temperature nitrogen plasma (LTNP) was used to wither green tea leaf to study its effect on the polyphenol content. Using a dielectric barrier discharge chamber to provide the LTNP environment, green tea leaf was withered at various withering times. Made tea samples indicated that LTNP had an effect on polyphenol content. The highest polyphenol content of 78.56 mg g^?1 in made tea was attained in 1 h after which it showed a decreasing trend with increasing retention time. For comparison purposes, green tea leaf was also withered in nonplasma environments. Highest polyphenol content of 133.4 mg g^?1 in made tea was attained in a sample withered anaerobically in nitrogen gas at room temperature and atmospheric pressure for 18 h. In another sample, green tea leaf was directly macerated and dried without withering and fermenting and had polyphenol content of 101.91 mg g^?1 in made tea. These contents were compared with green tea 4, purple tea and oolong tea that are currently manufactured in Kenya.     

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。     

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.     

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     

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.     

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。     

Occurrence and distribution of lipoxygenase in Camellia sinensis (L) O Kuntze and their changes during CTC black tea manufacture under southern Indian conditions

The optimal activity of tea lipoxygenase was found to be at pH 7·5 and 9·0, indicating the presence of two types of isoenzymes. Tea lipoxygenase was inhibited by cyanide and a small fraction appeared to be quite heat stable. Clonal and seasonal variations in lipoxygenase activity was significant. An increase in lipoxygenase activity was observed with leaf maturity. The lipoxygenase activity decreases with age from pruning and increases with an increase in plucking interval. The changes of lipoxygenase activity during CTC manufacture revealed that it increased with the degree of withering and upon rolling. However, a gradual decline was recorded during the fermentation and drying processes. The residual lipoxygenase activity in black tea is expected to affect its quality on storage. © 1998 Society of Chemical Industry.     

Factors influencing the caffeine content of black tea: Part 2—the effect of production variables

Caffeine content changed throughout the various stages of black tea production. The large increase during the withering stage was time dependent, but independent of rate and degree of desiccation. The decrease in caffeine levels during fermentation was related to the time and temperature of fermentation. Minor amounts of caffeine were lost by sublimation during the drying process. Tea stored for 6 months contained more caffeine than the freshly manufactured product. The importance of these changes in caffeine levels with respect to the quality and character of the beverage is discussed.     

光质萎凋对不同茶树品种红茶品质的影响

本文以室内自然萎凋为对照,比较红光、黄光、蓝光的不同光强（1000、1500、2000 lx）对不同品种红茶感官品质和主要成分的影响。结果表明,与对照相比,光质萎凋能保持或提升福鼎大白茶、蜀永1号萎凋叶游离氨基酸含量,保持或提高了四川中小叶种红茶茶黄素含量;蓝光可提升蜀永1号、四川中小叶种红茶可溶性糖含量,还可降低福鼎大白茶、蜀永1号红茶茶褐素含量。黄光光强与福鼎大白茶红茶可溶性糖含量呈显著正相关,与四川中小叶种茶褐素含量存在极显著正相关,与蜀永1号萎凋叶和红茶茶多酚含量呈较大负相关,但不显著,而蓝光光强与四川中小叶种红茶可溶性糖含量呈较大正相关,但不显著。综合感官品质,福鼎大白茶红茶最佳的萎凋光质为1500 lx黄光、2000 lx黄光,茶红素含量较高,分别为2.211%、2.049%,而茶褐素含量较低,分别为3.081%、3.025%;蜀永1号红茶最佳的萎凋光质为1500 lx黄光,游离氨基酸含量最高,为2.8%;四川中小叶种红茶最佳的萎凋光质为1500 lx黄光、1500 lx蓝光,前者游离氨基酸含量较高,为3.4%,后者茶黄素含量较高,为0.280%,茶褐素含量较低,为2.937%。所以1500 lx黄光有利于提升所选品种红茶品质。     

The impact of processing techniques on tea volatiles

The impact of various cultural and manufacturing techniques on volatile flavour composition was studied in order to optimize the conditions for production and retention of aroma in relation to tea quality. The Flavour Index was in the order: clonal variation—Assam > > Cambod > China Shoot maturity—Bud + 1st leaf > > > 2nd leaf > > 3rd leaf; plucking interval 7 day > 14 day; processing—green leaf > withered leaf—fermented dhool < dried tea < < tea brew; withering—soft < normal < hard. VFC Group I was in general dominated by trans-2-hexenal and Group II by linalool, phenylacetaldehyde and geraniol. Fresh green leaf had a high content of hexanol, hexanal, hexenol, hexenal and methyl salicylate. Upon withering, a sharp increase in Group I was noticed, the most remarkable being in hexenol. Group II also increased, but the extent was less except for linalool. During fermentation, Group I alcohols showed a sharp reduction with concomitant increases in aldehydes, especially trans-2-hexenal. In Group II, all compounds increased except methyl salicylate and the ionones. In the firing stage, high losses of Group I and Group II were registered. All the Group I compounds showed a decline with the progress of withering, but the opposite applied to Group II compounds, except for the alcohols. Mechanical injury during handling of leaf before cutting increased the Group I content enormously. The addition of exogenous fatty acids, mainly linoleic acid, produced substantial amounts of Group I compounds, dominated by trans-2-hexenal and hexanal. The inhibition of lipoxygenase totally reduced the formation of Group I volatiles.     

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.     

‘巴山早’紫色芽叶红茶加工工艺研究及品质评价

为了探究‘巴山早’紫色芽叶的红茶加工工艺及其制茶品质特点。本研究选用‘巴山早’紫色芽叶为原料,在万源红茶加工工艺基础上进行工艺优化,对红茶关键加工技术（萎凋、发酵和干燥）进行单因素实验和正交试验,以感官评分、茶黄素和茶红素之和与茶褐素的比值TFRB为评价指标,确定紫色芽叶红茶的最优工艺参数,探究关键加工技术不同参数对红茶品质的影响;以‘福鼎大白’绿色芽叶为对照,采一芽一叶新梢,按照优化后的加工工艺加工成红茶,所制茶样与‘巴山早’紫色芽叶红茶通过感官审评、内含品质成分测定分析和香气组分检测分析。结果表明,‘巴山早’紫色芽叶红茶的最优加工工艺为萎凋时间21 h,发酵时间4.5 h,干燥温度90±2℃,此时感官评分最高为92.83±0.19,‘巴山早’紫色芽叶红茶的感官品质优于对照,其茶多酚、氨基酸、可溶性糖、水浸出物、咖啡碱、茶黄素和茶红素含量分别为12.58%、3.62%、2.89%、37.89%、4.61%、0.38%和3.57%,均高于对照,TFRB为1.07是其滋味鲜醇,汤色红亮的物质基础;氨基酸组分总量、呈鲜爽味氨基酸组分和呈甜味氨基酸组分含量分别为32.35、22.68和3.4...     

鲜叶萎凋前期低温处理对金萱白茶品质的影响

为探究萎凋前期低温处理对金萱白茶品质的影响,采用金萱茶树品种一芽二叶鲜叶为原料,在萎凋前期进行低温不同时长处理,再经室内自然萎凋和干燥制成白茶,并通过感官审评、气相色谱-质谱法（gas chromatography-mass spectrometry,GC-MS）和电子舌对白茶香气和滋味进行了分析。结果表明,萎凋前期低温（5 ℃）处理加工的白茶与对照的品质有明显差异,低温处理提升了白茶香气的持久度及甜香、花香强度,增加了呈香挥发性物质的种类和含量,5 ℃低温处理40 h的白茶较对照样增加了21种呈香挥发性物质,5 ℃低温处理30 h的白茶香气呈香挥发性物质总量增加幅度最大,约为对照的5倍。同时,低温处理可以增加白茶滋味的醇厚度,降低苦涩味,5 ℃低温处理50 h的白茶滋味甜度最高,较对照增加了7.28%。综上,鲜叶萎凋前期低温处理有助于提升金萱白茶的品质,综合品质以5 ℃低温处理30 h的白茶为最佳。     

Variations of the chemical composition of clonal black tea (Camellia sinensis) due to delayed withering

The chemical composition of black teas (Camellia sinensis L) varies when the green leaf from which they are manufactured is withered physically to the same degree but for different periods. Caffeine contents progressively increase with prolonged withering time whereas theaflavins decrease due to prolonged withering. Although the sums of group I and group II volatile flavour compounds (VFC) decrease with prolonged withering time, the flavour index (expressed as group II VFC/group I VFC) increases due to prolonged withering. No significant changes were noted in the thearubigin levels with variation in withering time, but the tasters' evaluations were at a maximum for teas withered for 14 h. Subsequently the evaluation decreased with longer withering times.