⚙️ Processing
Withering
The first step: freshly plucked leaves are laid out to lose moisture and go limp.
Withering means spreading freshly plucked leaves on troughs for a dozen hours or so to reduce their moisture. As the water leaves, the leaf becomes pliable enough to be rolled without tearing in the next stage.
The compounds inside change as the leaf dries: the raw, grassy note fades and floral aromas begin to appear. How withering is handled varies by region and maker, and it shapes the aroma of the finished tea.