“Understanding Tea Oxidation and Fermentation: Processes, Effects, and Quality Assessment”

Typically, tea is classified by its level of oxidation or fermentation.

• So, what exactly is oxidized in tea? What compound is fermented? How do these processes occur? What are the resulting effects?
• How do producers control these processes to create a product with their desired flavor and color?
• Based on the criteria of oxidation and fermentation results, what can tea drinkers look for to assess the quality of the tea they are drinking?

If you haven’t found the answer yet, be excited about the question, because a meaningful question is already half the answer!