The various stages of Matcha processing
The tea leaves are picked from the beginning to the middle of May. Immediately (within 12 to 20 hours) after picking, the fresh tea leaves have to be steamed very strongly for about 15 to 20 seconds.
The steaming process stops enzymatic action.
And quickly after steaming the tea leaves have to be cooled down so that the vivid green color, most of the nutritional components and the flavors are retained.
That happens in form of large cages with heat blowers. The tea leaves are blown dry until a high of up to 6m.
Now the dried and unsorted tea leaves are called Aracha, the unrefined tea. The tea is also known as Aracha of Tencha.