Day 5- Jiangsu Tea Orchard

Waayyyy out in the middle of somewhere is this amazing Tea Orchard. Jiangsu Tea also doubles as a community college. We visited a classroom that teaches students how to process tea. Tea leaves were harvested that morning to serve as our demonstration. A chalk looking stick is used to base a large steel mixing pot. Heat is applied to the pot at 140F. Leaves are placed in this large mixing bowl. The heat prevents the leaves from metabolizing to retain flavor. Leaves are mixed by hand in this large bowl to dry the leaves a bit more. After leaves are dried they are manipulated by hand to to create the shape of the leaves. Leaves must be uniform in shape, texture, taste and scent to create quality. The entire process takes roughly 45 min.

They were very nice and allowed us to try and create the shape of the leaves. In my picture above the instructor next to me had just told one of the Professors that I had done it the best out of all of us who tried. :) The bowl was still very hot even though she turned off the heat. It is an art form that requires many years of practice to master. After we were allowed to drink the tea we made. It was delicious. We learned that tea in bags do not hold the same quality as tea leaves that are put directly into hot water. If the tea leaves float on the surface of the water that is an indication of a quality tea. I decided to buy some tea which retailed $2.50 USD per bag! All my leaves better float!

Photos from left to right- High quality tea floating, me learning how to shape tea leaves, sign outside the facility, tea growing on the property