Question:

The withering of tea leaves is carried out for

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Withering removes moisture partially to make tea leaves flaccid for rolling and initiates cellular biochemical changes.
  • Complete drying
  • Partial drying
  • Oxidation
  • Blanching
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The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Tea manufacturing involves sequential biochemical and physical processing steps starting immediately after plucking.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:

Withering is the initial processing step where freshly harvested green tea flushes are spread on troughs and subjected to conditioned air.
The primary physical objective is partial drying (reducing moisture content from $\approx 75\text{--}80\%$ down to $55\text{--}65\%$) to make the leaf flaccid and pliable for subsequent rolling without tearing, while initiating biochemical enzyme activation.

Step 3: Final Answer:

Therefore, withering of tea leaves is carried out for partial drying.
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