Pressed tea was invented by ancient nomadic tribes. This shape was convenient when transporting food and kept the freshness of the tea leaves for a long time: tightly compressed, they do not allow moisture to pass through.
Instructions
Step 1
Now the production of pressed tea is fully automated, and it is almost impossible to prepare a tea tile or "brick" at home. However, with special conditions for drying and pressing the tea, you can try making slab tea at home. Of course, its taste will differ from tea made by professionals, and the shelf life will be significantly reduced. But you can try your favorite drink in a new form or create a beautiful pressed figurine as a gift.
Step 2
Pressed tea can be either black or green, but only small tea leaves are suitable for pressing. Remove twigs and stems from the tea mixture. Leave gentle soft leaves for facing the tea "brick": they should be free to curl into rolls. The rough leaves will be the "filling" of the tea tile.
Step 3
Fry tea leaves (soft and hard separately) in a hot metal drum: heat the tea to a temperature of 65-75 degrees.
Step 4
When the sheets are heated (fermentation process will take place), start twisting them in a special unit: it resembles a large meat grinder. The deformation of the tea leaves allows oxygenation of the cells. As a result of this process, juice begins to appear on the surface of the leaf.
Step 5
Tea juice must be removed during the drying process. Dry the tea in a constant stream of hot air at a temperature of 70-75 degrees. After drying, place the hot tea leaves in dark drawers, tamp them tightly and leave for 6-12 hours (depending on the type of tea).
Step 6
If the tea is matured correctly, the leaves acquire a characteristic color and smell for their variety. Take the tea out of the drawers and dry again at 80 degrees. Keep humidity at 8%.
Step 7
The tea must be steamed before pressing. During this process, special sticky substances appear on the surface of the tea, allowing the "brick" to keep its shape.
Step 8
Place the steamed tea in special molds for the press, while placing the base of the tea between the layers of the lining. For 1, 6 kg of base tea, use 400 grams of cladding material. Press such a two-kilogram "brick" with a hydraulic press under a pressure of 9, 8-10, 8 MPa for an hour.
Step 9
Dry pressed tea at a temperature of 35 degrees, then put in boxes for "ripening" for 15-20 days.
