Hill Country - Tea Pickers Photo and Text by Siri
Only the top two leaves and the leaf bud are used for the best of teas. They are hand-picked every week or two as new growth matures, and sent to the factory for processing. Tea is made by letting the processed leaves of the tea plant steep in boiling water in a pot for approximately 3 minutes. The young leaves of the tea plant contain the chemicals CAFFEINE and TANNIN that makes it the favorite brew of millions of people throughout the world. In season the plant produces aromatic, white blossoms that makes the countryside look as if covered in snow. The Buddhists in the tea growing countries use the flowers as offerings when they go to temples. Flowers are not used for any other purpose.

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