The key to tea picking
The quality of tea mainly depends on the quality of tea raw materials and the exquisite processing technology. The quality of raw materials is influenced by various factors. Firstly, the suitability of tea tree varieties is crucial as it determines the fundamental quality of tea leaves. Secondly, the natural conditions and management systems in which tea trees are located can also have a profound impact on their growth and development. Finally, the rationality of tea picking techniques directly affects the yield, quality, and health status of tea trees.
Leaves utilize light energy to convert water and carbon dioxide into carbohydrates, providing necessary nutrients for various organs of tea trees. However, the act of picking "buds and leaves" from the new shoots of tea trees inevitably affects the nutrient accumulation and normal growth of tea trees. Therefore, during the picking process, it is necessary to ensure both the yield of tea leaves and the health of the tea trees, and to achieve reasonable leaf retention.
Due to the varying growth rates and bud and leaf development of new shoots under natural conditions in different seasons, significant differences exist in the shape and composition of the harvested buds and leaves. This makes the harvesting target of tea trees different from the fruits of other field crops or fruit trees, making it impossible to wait until they are fully ripe before harvesting. On the contrary, as long as the buds and leaves meet certain standards, they can be harvested. The different harvesting methods and times directly affect the quality and yield of tea, which in turn affects the growth status of tea trees.
Therefore, reasonable standards must be followed during the tea picking process. These standards include developing corresponding picking methods and leaf retention strategies based on different regions, tea tree varieties, and tea types. Only in this way can we ensure the stability and improvement of tea quality, meet the needs of domestic and international markets, and achieve sustainable development of long-term production.
