Chinese tea is not only China's favorite, but also one of the most popular drinks in the world.

　　It is known as one of the world's three major beverages along with cocoa and coffee.

　　Among them, the diversity and rich flavor of tea mainly come from its complex and diverse tea-making process.

　　Each type of tea has a different aroma and flavor because of its different production techniques.

　　Here, we will introduce eight key tea-making techniques.

1. Withering: The key process of White Peony Tea

　　Withering is a crucial step in the white tea making process.

　　Freshly picked tea leaves are spread out in the sun to dry, or the moisture is evaporated by hot air.

　　This process not only removes the grassy smell of the tea, but also makes the leaves flexible, preparing them for subsequent processes.

　　Withered tea leaves have a fresh aroma and a mellow taste, which is the basis of white tea's unique flavor.

2. Killing Green Tea: The Key Process of Chinese Green Tea

　　In the production of green tea, killing the green tea is the most critical step.

　　By frying at high temperature, the catalytic enzyme in the tea leaves is killed and the green color of the leaves is kept.

　　This process removes the bitterness and stinky green taste of tea, while transforming it into a floral and mellow flavor.

　　The green tea after withering has a emerald green color, a fragrant aroma and a fresh taste.

3. Rolling: affects the quality and appearance

　　The rolling process has an important impact on the quality and appearance of tea.

　　Whether it is done by hand or by machine, the tea leaves are squeezed to extract the juice and rolled into a shape (such as curls or strips).

　　Rolling and twisting not only affects the appearance of tea leaves, but also improves the concentration and flavor of the tea soup. It is an important determinant of the quality of the finished tea.

4. Yellowing: the key process of yellow tea

　　In the production of yellow tea, yellowing is an indispensable step.

　　Pile up the fried tea leaves and cover them with a cloth or wrap them with paper to allow them to turn yellow in a hot and humid environment.

　　Tea polyphenols are decomposed and transformed in this process, making the taste of tea more mellow.

　　The yellowing process gives yellow tea a unique sweet and mellow taste.

5. Making green tea: the key process of green tea

　　The production process of green tea (oolong tea) is complicated, among which making green tea is the key step.

　　The withered tea leaves are placed in a bamboo sieve and shaken. After repeated shaking and drying, the edges of the leaves are oxidized by friction, presenting a unique appearance of green leaves with red edges.

　　This process makes oolong tea have both the fragrance of green tea and the mellowness of black tea.

6. Fermentation: The key process of black tea

　　The fermentation process of black tea is carried out under the catalysis of polyphenol oxidase.

　　Tea polyphenol oxides gradually turn red, and floral and fruity aroma components gradually emerge.

　　The fermentation process directly affects the color, aroma and taste of the tea, forming the characteristics of red soup and red leaves.

　　Moderate fermentation can make black tea have a rich aroma and a mellow taste.

7. Piling: The key process of dark tea

　　In the production of black tea, pile fermentation is the key process.

　　Stacking and storing the rolled green tea leaves will cause microorganisms to grow and the tea leaves to heat up.

　　This process degrades the tea quality and makes it mellower, while the color oxidizes and turns dark red.

　　The pile-fermentation process gives black tea a unique aged aroma and mellow taste, and is the basis for its long-term storage and transformation.

8. Scenting: The key process of scented tea

　　The production of scented tea is inseparable from the scenting process.

　　The tea leaves are mixed with fresh flowers layer by layer and piled up for several hours to allow the tea leaves to fully absorb the fragrance of the flowers. The tea leaves and flowers are then separated and dried separately.

　　The scenting process gives scented tea a rich floral aroma and a refreshing taste, and is the art of perfectly combining tea leaves and floral aromas.

Tea art performance

　　The tea-making process is not only a reflection of technology, but also a cultural heritage.

　　Each craft contains rich historical and cultural background, representing the wisdom of different regions and nationalities.

　　Tea is rich in polyphenols, vitamins and minerals, and has many health benefits for the human body.

　　Different tea-making techniques result in different ingredients and functions of tea, meeting the needs of different groups of people.

　　Each process gives the tea a unique flavor and characteristics, each with its own advantages. So, which type of tea do you like best?