Off the Urban Grid

How to Dry Tea Leaves

Every type of tea is different, so depending on the tea, you have to harvest it at a certain time and dry it at a certain temperature. However, once you know the rules for each tea, you will have no problems brewing a variety of teas at home.

Green Tea
This tea should be harvested while the leaves are young and still have buds. Then let them dry on the counter for a few hours before you steam them on your stove similar to the way you would steam vegetables. An alternative is to roast them on the stove for a couple of minutes, which will give the green tea a different flavor. The last step is sprinkling the steamed or roasted leaves on a baking sheet and putting them in the oven for 20 minutes at 250 degrees Fahrenheit.

Ooolong Tea
Choose the youngest leaves and leaf buds from your plant and lay them out under the sun to dry for 45 minutes. Then keep them indoors at room temperature for a few hours to dry some more. As they dry, you will notice that the dried leaves will turn a reddish color. Finally, you can put them on a baking sheet and dry them one last time for 20 minutes at 250 degrees Fahrenheit.

Black Tea
For black tea, it’s also best to pluck the youngest leaves and leaf buds. Before starting the drying process for this tea, it’s best to crush the leaves with your hands and let them sit on a tray for two to three days in a cool, dry place. Then you can put them in the oven for 20 minutes at 250 degrees Fahrenheit.

You have to have patience during the drying process, but it’s well worth your wait. Once your green, oolong or black tea is dry, you can store it in an air-tight container.

Tags: drying tea leaves, harvesting tea, homemade tea creations