The proposed diagram gives detailed information about the process of producing black tea, which is subdivided into two ways: either traditional (loose) or modern (tea bags).
Overall, it can be clearly evident that the process of making tea is a complex linear procedure, consisting of five stages. In addition, despite the widespread consumption of traditional tea, the modern method is considered easier due to technologies that simplify the preparation process.
Moving to a more detailed analysis, the production process of both types of tea commences almost identically, namely with the selection of fresh tea leaves; namely, a bud and two leaves are picked for high-quality tea. Then, the selected leaves undergo the withering process, in which air passes through the leaves on racks , removing approximately 60% of their moisture. Next, the preparation process is separated into two completely different methods, either traditional or modern. Starting with the traditional method, used for making loose teas, leaves are observed to be rolled and broken, after which enzymes are sure to be released from the leaves. Shifting to the modern method, which is necessary for tea bags, leaves are sure to be cut, torn and curled, which is followed by the creation of smaller granular pieces of tea. Afterwards, both ways are followed by the oxidation process, in which leaves are put on tiles and enzymes are observed to interact with air and change the leave’s color to copper-colored. Ultimately, the leaves undergo a drying process in ovens, simultaneously removing nearly 97% of moisture and releasing their flavor and aroma.