Maharashtra Board Class 11 Food Science and Technology Chapter 12 Tea Coffee and Cocoa Processing PDF Download

Tea, Coffee And Cocoa Processing

Nearly three quarter of the human body consists of water. Water keeps the body hydrated, helps in digestion and absorption of our food and transport throughout the body. The body continuously losses water through sweating, urination, etc. Therefore it is very important to replace this water otherwise it will disturb the body balance. We may replace this lost water through a drink. Beverages are of utmost importance to replenish the body.

Definition: Beverage is any kind of liquid intended for human consumption. In addition to their basic function of quenching thirst, they also play an important role in social culture. These include tea, coffee, cocoa, soft drinks, shakes and alcoholic beverages.

Teacher's Note

Beverages are drinks that help our body stay healthy. Just like we drink water daily in India, tea and coffee are also popular drinks that many people enjoy every day.

Exam Trick

Remember: Beverage = any liquid to drink. Think of chai, coffee, and juice - all are beverages. It is just a fancy word for "drink".

Points to Remember

Beverage is any liquid we drink for our body.
Beverages help to replace lost water from our body.
Tea, coffee, and cocoa are popular beverages.
Beverages are important in our social culture.
Drinks like juice, milk, and soft drinks are also beverages.

12.1 Tea

Tea is the second most popular beverage in the world. Only water is rated higher in world consumption than tea.

Tea is a beverage which is made from the processed leaf of a tea plant. The botanical name of this plant is Camellia sinensis.

Tea is a very mild stimulant, since it contains caffeine. The caffeine content is lesser than coffee but more than cocoa. It also contains small amounts of tannin compounds, vitamin A, B₂, C, D, K, some minerals and aromatic oils.

The tannin compounds and essential oils are mainly responsible for flavour of tea, colour, astringency (slightly acidic or bitter) and the delightful aroma.

Teacher's Note

Tea comes from the leaves of a special plant called Camellia sinensis. In India, we grow tea in places like Darjeeling and Assam, and it is enjoyed by millions of people every day.

Exam Trick

Remember: Tea plant = Camellia sinensis. This is the botanical name - it is like the scientific ID card of the tea plant. You will definitely get this question in your exam.

Points to Remember

Tea is the second most popular beverage in the world after water.
Tea plant is called Camellia sinensis.
Tea contains caffeine which is less than coffee.
Tea has vitamins A, B2, C, D, and K.
Tannins give tea its flavour, colour, and bitter taste.

12.2 Process Of Manufacturing Of Tea

1. Plucking: The tea leaves (top two leaves and the bud leaf) are first plucked from the end of branchlets. They are then bought to the tea factory where they undergo the following processes.

2. Withering: The plucked leaves are placed on a withering rack (drying). The first stage of withering may take 10 to 20 hours under shade so as to reduce the internal moisture of leaf. This makes the leaf ready for the next step that is grinding.

3. Grinding: The machines crush the leaf so that the enzymes inside the cells are exposed and come in contact with oxygen from the air.

4. Fermentation And Oxidation: The leaves are then spread on a thin platform and allowed to ferment for 2-6 hours. During this process the colour of leaf becomes green to reddish brown. After this phase the tea leaves are kept for drying.

5. Drying: When fermentation is completed to the desired degree, then tea is dried for 30 minutes to several hours in a chamber of hot air. The drying operation is exceptionally important as it "seals in" all the flavours. This creates a difference between a mediocre tea and a superb tea.

6. Screening: After drying tea is cleaned and sorted into various grades.

Teacher's Note

Tea making has many steps, just like how we prepare any food at home. Each step is important, from picking the leaves to drying them, to make good tea that tastes nice.

Exam Trick

Remember the order: Plucking → Withering → Grinding → Oxidation → Drying → Screening. Think: Pick, Wilt, Grind, Oxidize, Dry, Screen. This is like a song - learn it and you will never forget!

Points to Remember

Plucking means picking the top two leaves and bud from tea plant.
Withering removes water from leaves and takes 10 to 20 hours.
Grinding crushes leaves so enzymes come out.
Fermentation changes leaf colour from green to reddish brown.
Drying seals in all the flavours of tea.

12.3 Classification Of Tea

a. Green Tea: In this withering and fermentation steps are omitted. The aroma, flavour and colour of green tea is different from black tea. Green tea is a light, yellow green beverage having high number of polyphenols, caffeine content and anti oxidents, thus reduces the cancer risk and imparts many health benefits.

b. Oolong Tea: Oolong tea is an intermediate between black and green tea in colour and taste characteristics. Its production method is similar to that employed for green tea, except that the leaf is slightly withered and light fermentation allowed before the leaf is dried.

c. White Tea: It is made from young leaves that have not undergone oxidation. The buds may be shielded from sunlight to prevent formation of chlorophyll.

d. Yellow Tea: It is high quality tea served usually to royalty. Process similar to green tea but with a slower drying phase.

e. Kukicha: Also called winter tea and is made from twigs and old leaves of tea plants during its dormant season and dry roasted over a fire.

Teacher's Note

Different types of tea are made in different ways. Green tea is healthier because it is not fermented. In India, we often drink black tea, but green tea is becoming more popular for health reasons.

Exam Trick

Remember: Green tea = no fermentation = healthier. Black tea = with fermentation = more flavour. This simple difference helps you remember all tea types.

Points to Remember

Green tea has no fermentation and is very healthy.
Oolong tea is between green and black tea.
White tea is made from young leaves only.
Yellow tea is a high quality tea for special guests.
Kukicha is made from twigs and is called winter tea.

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