Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Tea on Tuesday

Since we were staying on a tea plantation in Sri Lanka, it made sense to tour a tea factory.

I did not realize there were so many steps to making tea. (Dryings occurs from hot air that is pushed up through vents underneath the layer of leaves.)

I thought tea leaves were just picked and dried and there you go.

Not so! This is where the dried leaves from the chute above are funnelled to.

The drying time has a lot to do with the types of teas that are produced.

Although tea leaves are picked by hand, there are new and improved machines that do all sorts of other things.

There was even a computerized machine that sorted dried tea leaves by color.

The processing of the leaves determines what tea will be made ... white, green, yellow, oolong, black or post-fermented.

A Japanese proverb says: If a man has no tea in him, he is incapable of understanding truth and beauty.

So go make yourself a cup of tea and have a beautiful day! Friendship blessings, Tammy

18 comments:

Unknown said...

Well look at you Miss Worldly traveler! What fun to learn about tea making. Nice photo of you and your son.

Susan said...

Gosh, Tammy, I did not know there was so much to making tea! Thanks for the info. Love the photo of you and your boy....you both look great. Hope you have a wonderful day today! Susan

Anonymous said...

Well, we learn something new every day! Who knew ~ and thank YOU for letting us know the process of teas. I'll appreciate it more now, knowing the work that goes into it.

How nice that your boys seem to enjoy all the wonders they get to see.

Hugs
Jan

beachvintage.com said...

Wow, what lovely countryside.

Pam said...

What beautiful country. Very intersting to read about the manufacturing of tea. Never really thought much about the process. Looks quite involved.

Anonymous said...

There is nothing like learning through experiences. I feel like I have learned something new today. Incredible the process that tea leaves go through in order to make it to our table. I find it amazing to know that a computerized machine can sort the leaves by color. Fascinating. Thanks for the lesson. You look WONDERFUL in the picture!!

LOVE,
Renee

Serena Lewis said...

I'm loving the pics from your trip, Tammy. I was aware of the varied processing times dictating the colour of the teas but I didn't realise the drying process was so involved. Very interesting post and I'm already craving a nice mug of tea. :)

Kate said...

Beautiful Tammy!!!! I never knew that was the process to make tea. Very interesting post as well. Have a wonderful time on your travels

xoxo
Kate

Angela Richardson said...

A nice cup of Earl Grey for me please, as always the clour of straw and no milk. My mum said this was always best with a slice of coconut cake.
Looks like a great day out Tammy.
Hugs, Angela.

Claus said...

So interesting!! Had no idea how tea was made really (Guatemala is a coffee country, more than a tea one), so this truly captured my attention. It must have been quite an experience! Thank you for sharing.
have a lovely day!

Caterina Giglio said...

so much goes into tea!! and I do love it so!! hope it was a great trip! looks like it was fun!! xo

Rizzi said...

WHAT A GREAT POST, I DIDN'T REALIZE IT TOOK THAT MANY STEPS EITHER. I WILL APPRECIATE MY NEXT CUP OF TEA
MUCH MORE THE NEXT TIME I HAVE
ONE. HAVE A NICE DAY. RIZZI

Rose M. Rodriguez said...

Hi Tammy, your posts are always instructive, this time on you. This wonderful drink, thanks for your knowledge imparted, "Rose Marie

Sandi~A Cottage Muse said...

Love learning something new every day, thanks Tammy!

Maureen said...

I'm off to make myself a cup of Spring White tea, which I understand is picked early and just the tips of the tea plant. It's very nice and apparently good for you.
Have fun on your travels, it looks beautiful.
M x

Unknown said...

Wow Tammy I had no idea. Great post. So glad you all are together and enjoying your time exploring. Blessings
QMM

Libbie said...

I never really thought about it Tammy! Good lesson though! & I love the beautiful artwork of the lady picking tea! What a fun field trip! Wish I could have been there too! Beautiful fields!

glor said...

How interesting! I'm a coffee and tea lover. Always with my tea in the evening, so off to make a cup and I will toast you!

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