2013 TOST - Hands on Making Jade Oolong (Indoor Withering)

2011 TOST - Indoor Withering (10/19/2011)

After the solar withered, the leaves were moved indoor. We have to listen to the masters on site to judge by the leaves' status, subject to the climate condition... every certain period of time, we must go take care of the leaves by moving out the trays and follow the instruction to fluff tea leaves gently... See these tea enthusiasts...everyone is very serious and concentrating on the leaves... Tell me how could you not fall in love with these leaves when you touch and hold them with your hands... While we were doing these by hands...Mr. Wang and his assistants were use the big sheet to shuffle the leaves on the big tray... each tray can be remote controlled to move from the rack up and down... We are competing, TOST team led by Master Steve Huang and Wang-Ting team led by Mr. Wang.

2009 TOST - Oriental Beauty - indoor withering (6/26/2009)

Honestly, we took a break a little bit too long to miss moving tea leaves from out door to inside the factory. Sun withered and sun burned makes huge difference...we have to be extra careful to examine the leaves' status...
During the indoor withering, we were guided to do the fluffing and softly shaking the spreading the tea leaves for few times. Our Oriental Beauty are resting on the racks...and we were treated with lichee, watermelon, banana...by Ted's sister. Norman also worked with Mr. Shen to have his competition teas for our members to evaluate...well, those tea leaves got their breaks...we, we need to review our cuppings at TRES/Taitung branch on 6/25/2009. Please refer to our post:
http://taiwanteatour.blogspot.com/2009/10/cupping-and-reviewing-at-taitung-branch.html

2009 TOST - Pouchong - Indoor Withering - 6 (6/22/2009)

Wow...hard to believe that whole room filled with luscious arom...smell like Osmanthus flowers...
Per tea master, due to these leaves were machine-harvested, and also the timing is kind of close to Summer...the leaves yield out the fragrance faster and stronger...but not guaranteed that our finished tea will be that much great...very sad to hear this statement...
One hour and 45 minutes more...this will be the last run of fluffing...and all the leaves will be placed in one tray and we fluffed the leaves around...and let the leaves rest again...

2009 TOST - Pouchong - Indoor Withering - 5 (6/22/2009)

We did enjoy our visit to the tea gardens...so much to learn there...
On our way back from the garden, there were several groups of friends waiting at the withering room for us...the reporters from local TV station and several board directors from TTMA...
The leaves are soft now, but we were told to be even more careful...not to break the leaves...
more fluffing...and let the leaves rest for another hour and half...
We went upstairs for a Pouchong Cupping that arranged by TRES, Wenshan Branch Dr. Chen.

2009 TOST - Pouchong - Indoor Withering - 4 (6/22/2009)

Back to TRES on time after lunch...
Our tea master showed us the leaves' status...more fluffing...
So we did, and then left for TRES' organic tea gardens to check different cultivars...

2009 TOST - Pouchong - Indoor Withering - 3 (6/22/2009)

After the leaves withered further, we were told by the tea master to try to toss and fluff the leaves...every move requires careful touch...Looks like we are improving a bit...
Boys...the frangrance is coming out more...
Let the leaves rest for another 2 hours, per tea master...
So Josephine is calling us to get on bus for our lunch time...

2009 TOST - Pouchong - Indoor Withering - 2 (6/22/2009)

Our tea master checked the leaves' status...
Now, we need to break our tea leaves from two trays to 4 trays, make it thinner spreaded...also we learn how to fluff the leaves...Not so easy for the first timer...lucky we have so many experienced tutors there to help...look at Greg and Cori...finally...the leaves can rest again...
(Our members were "resting" on the upstair's class room to have a review by Mr. Liao and Jackson....)

2009 TOST - Pouchong - Indoor Withering - 1 (6/22/2009)

After the solar withering, the leaves were moved indoor, rested on the shelves.
How much time for the solar withering ?
It all depends on the sun light, the temperature and humidity...tea maser judges it by their experience and checking the leaves' status...
When the master calls for an action: "Move the leaves inside now." We responded it immediately...after enjoy a sun bath...now it is time for the leaves to get rested...

2008 TOST - Jade Oolong's indoor withering & oxidizing (10/25/2008)

Indoor Withering: After Solar Withering, the tea leaves are moved to the indoor withering room (Modern factory equipped Air-con to control temperature) and lightly placed on bamboo plates for storing. Each plate with tea leaves spreaded about 5-10 mm thick. One hour later, the leaves are shaken and stirred 2-3 times by hand, and then replaced on racks for storing. After about 1-2 hours, as the fresh leaf's aroma becomes noticeable, the leaves are shaken and stirred more heavily 5-6 times for a second round, and replaced for storing. After another 1-2 hours the leaf begins to present the fragrant aroma, and is ready for a third round of shake a stir approximately 10-12 times more forcefully by hand. The leaves are again stored on racks for about 1-2 hours. Finally, the leaves are placed in a bamboo tumbling machine ffor 24-30 minutes, to stir and also evenly mix the withered and lightly oxidized leaves...and then allow the leaves to cool down for 1-3 hours before panning. (**Per Master Huang: Every tea master might have minor different steps and practices to control the indoor withering and oxidizing...
that makes the difference in the quality.) One thing is for sure: Whoever experiences the whole process of indoor withering will never forget how amazingly the leaf has gone through and the natual aroma is created...While we left the tea plant, the whole village near by simply filled with lusciuos aroma in air we breathed...unforgetable experience!