Tea

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Tea
A lesson in Agriscience and Horticulture Using
Southern Sweet Tea Georgia Agriculture Education
Curriculum Office Catrina Kennedy and Dr. Frank
Flanders January 2006
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Objectives

• Students will be able to
• Define terms associated with tea
• Describe the tea production process
• Describe different types of tea
• Describe tannins in tea
• Understand how solutes dissolve
• Identify the genus and species of tea and other
  related plants

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Terms
Solution-process of forming a mixture Saturated
Solution-when something can no longer be
dissolved Suspension-mixture which is finely
divided that it does not easily settle
out Oxidation-gain of oxygen Tannins-naturally in
tea leaves, over boiling causes a bitter
taste Steep-soaking in water to release
flavor Adhesion-when things bond together Surface
Tension-property of liquids from molecular
cohesive forces
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Different Types of Tea
Black Tea- normally what we drink, it has been
oxidized longer, tends to have more caffeine and
a stronger flavor Green Tea- least amount of
oxidation, can be found in the local grocery
store Oolong Tea- the in-between tea, it is
brewed strong and bitter but leaves a sweet
aftertaste
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How tea is made

• Tea leaves are harvested
• Placed on racks in a climate controlled room
  where a process known as withering takes place
• The withering process removes all the water from
  the leaves and gives them a leathery feel
• The leaves are placed on rollers. This breaks up
  the leaves and allows the release of juices

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How tea is made

• The leaves are then taken to a oxidation room
  which contains cement or glass tables. This room
  has a cool damp atmosphere
• The leaves will turn a copper color
• Leaves are then placed in iron boxes where they
  are introduced to bursts of hot air

This is generally the process that black tea
goes through
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Tannins
Tannins are a chemical found in many plants.
They are important to the production of some
items such as wine. However, tannins are not
necessarily a good thing when it comes to tea.
If you boil your tea for too long it will have a
bitter taste. This is because of the natural
tannins in tea. In making tea, it should be
brought to a boil and immediately removed from
the heat.
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An interesting fact about Tannins
Have you ever wondered why water is clear in some
areas but dark in others? The reason is because
of Tannins. Rivers in North Georgia are fast
moving so the organic matter doesnt have time to
decay. In South Georgia the water is slower
moving so plant material has more time to decay.
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Camellia sinensis v. Camellia japonica
Camellia sinensis is what is used to make tea
Camellia japonica is what is generally used in
landscaping. The only difference between the two
is the species.
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Making Sweet Tea
Step 1 Gather materials and equipment Pot Tea
Pitcher Sugar Tea Bags Spoon Cups Ice
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Making Sweet Tea
Step 2 Cooking the tea (based on 1 gal) Place 2
family sized tea bags in a pot of cold water
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Making Sweet Tea
Step 3 Bring to a boil and then remove from heat.
Allow it to steep for approximately 1 minute.
Remove tea bags.
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Making Sweet Tea
Step 4 Add 2 cups of sugar to a pitcher.
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Making Sweet Tea
Step 5 Add the HOT tea to the sugar and allow the
sugar to dissolve.
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Making Sweet Tea
Step 6 Fill the remainder of the pitcher with
water and stir.
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Making Sweet Tea
Step 7 Put ice into a glass and add tea
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Making Sweet Tea
Step 8 Enjoy! This recipe should yield enough
tea for 2 southerners or 137 northerners!
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Making Sweet Tea-Cost per gallon
Tea Bags .33 Bag of Sugar .72 Total 1
.05 per gal
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Making Sweet Tea-Quiz
1. What is the plant name that tea comes
from? A. Daisy B. Bonsai Tree C. Camellia D.
Eucalyptus   2. There are three types of tea,
green, black and ______. A. Purple B. Brassy
C. Bold D. Oolong   3. Which tea requires the
least amount of oxidation? A. Green B. Black
C. Oolong D. Brassy   4. How many years has tea
been around? A. More than 3000 B. Less than 100
C. 10 D. 500   5. What part of the plant is
used to make tea? A. Stem B. Leaves C.
Roots D. Flowers   6. What is the relationship
between the Camellia plant that is used in
landscaping and the one that is used for making
tea? A. Same plant B. Taste C. Species D.
Size   7. The only state that produces tea is
_______. A. South Carolina B. Texas C.
Maine D. Georgia   8. The type of tea that is
most likely found and bought most often in the
grocery store is _____. A. Orange B. Green C.
Oolong D. Black   9. What is the last step is
the tea production? A. Harvesting B. Drying C.
Cutting D. Growing   10. Why should you not over
boil tea? A. Tea shrinks B. Color change C.
Bitter Taste D. Wont dissolve sugar
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Making Sweet Tea-Quiz
Matching 11. Solution a. gain of oxygen 12.
Saturated Solution b. soaking in water to
release flavors 13. Suspension c. process of
forming a mixture 14. Oxidation d. when
something can no longer be dissolved 15.
Tannins e. property of liquids from molecular
cohesive forces 16. Steep f. mixture is finely
divided that it does not easily settle 17.
Adhesion g. over boiling causes better taste
because of 18. Surface Tension h. when things
bond together
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Making Sweet Tea-Quiz Answers

• C
• D
• A
• A
• B
• C
• A
• D
• B
• C
• C
• D
• F
• A
• G
• B
• H
• E