1. Tea A lesson in Agriscience and Horticulture Using Southern Sweet Tea
Georgia Agriculture Education Curriculum Office
Catrina Kennedy and Dr. Frank Flanders
January 2006

2. Objectives: Students will be able to: Define terms associated with tea
Describe the tea production process
Describe different types of tea
Describe tannins in tea
Understand how solutes dissolve
Identify the genus and species of tea and other related plants

3. Terms Solution-process of forming a mixture
Saturated Solution-when something can no longer be dissolved
Suspension-mixture which is finely divided that it does not easily settle out
Oxidation-gain of oxygen
Tannins-naturally in tea leaves, over boiling causes a bitter taste
Steep-soaking in water to release flavor
Adhesion-when things bond together
Surface Tension-property of liquids from molecular cohesive forces

4. Different Types of Tea
Black Tea- normally what we drink, it has been oxidized longer, tends to have more caffeine and a stronger flavor
Green Tea- least amount of oxidation, can be found in the local grocery store
Oolong Tea- the in-between tea, it is brewed strong and bitter but leaves a sweet aftertaste

5. How tea is made Tea leaves are harvested
Placed on racks in a climate controlled room where a process known as withering takes place
The withering process removes all the water from the leaves and gives them a leathery feel
The leaves are placed on rollers. This breaks up the leaves and allows the release of juices
Its suggested that the teacher purchase loose tea or open a tea bag so that the students can observe

6. *This is generally the process that black tea goes through
How tea is made
The leaves are then taken to a oxidation room which contains cement or glass tables. This room has a cool damp atmosphere
The leaves will turn a copper color
Leaves are then placed in iron boxes where they are introduced to bursts of hot air
*This is generally the process that black tea goes through

7. Tannins
Tannins are a chemical found in many plants. They are important to the production of some items such as wine. However, tannins are not necessarily a good thing when it comes to tea. If you boil your tea for too long it will have a bitter taste. This is because of the natural tannins in tea. In making tea, it should be brought to a boil and immediately removed from the heat.

8. An interesting fact about Tannins
Have you ever wondered why water is clear in some areas but dark in others? The reason is because of Tannins. Rivers in North Georgia are fast moving so the organic matter doesn’t have time to decay. In South Georgia the water is slower moving so plant material has more time to decay.

9. Camellia sinensis v. Camellia japonica
Camellia sinensis is what is used to make tea
Camellia japonica is what is generally used in landscaping. The only difference between the two is the species.

10. Making Sweet Tea Step 1 Gather materials and equipment *Pot
*Tea Pitcher
*Sugar
*Tea Bags
*Spoon
*Cups
*Ice

11. Making Sweet Tea Step 2 Cooking the tea (based on 1 gal)
*Place 2 family sized tea bags in a pot of cold water

12. Making Sweet Tea
Step 3 Bring to a boil and then remove from heat. Allow it to steep for approximately 1 minute. Remove tea bags.

13. Making Sweet Tea
Step 4 Add 2 cups of sugar to a pitcher.

14. Making Sweet Tea
Step 5 Add the HOT tea to the sugar and allow the sugar to dissolve.

15. Making Sweet Tea
Step 6 Fill the remainder of the pitcher with water and stir.

16. Making Sweet Tea
Step 7 Put ice into a glass and add tea

17. Making Sweet Tea Step 8 Enjoy!
* This recipe should yield enough tea for 2 southerners or 137 northerners!

18. Making Sweet Tea-Cost per gallon
Tea Bags $.33
Bag of Sugar $.72
Total $1.05 per gal

19. Making Sweet Tea-Quiz 1. What is the plant name that tea comes from?
A. Daisy B. Bonsai Tree C. Camellia D. Eucalyptus
2. There are three types of tea, green, black and ______.
A. Purple B. Brassy C. Bold D. Oolong
3. Which tea requires the least amount of oxidation?
A. Green B. Black C. Oolong D. Brassy
4. How many years has tea been around?
A. More than B. Less than C. 10 D. 500
5. What part of the plant is used to make tea?
A. Stem B. Leaves C. Roots D. Flowers
6. What is the relationship between the Camellia plant that is used in landscaping and the one that is used for making tea?
A. Same plant B. Taste C. Species D. Size
7. The only state that produces tea is _______.
A. South Carolina B. Texas C. Maine D. Georgia
8. The type of tea that is most likely found and bought most often in the grocery store is _____.
A. Orange B. Green C. Oolong D. Black
9. What is the last step is the tea production?
A. Harvesting B. Drying C. Cutting D. Growing
10. Why should you not over boil tea?
A. Tea shrinks B. Color change C. Bitter Taste D. Won’t dissolve sugar

20. Making Sweet Tea-Quiz Matching 11. Solution a. gain of oxygen
12. Saturated Solution b. soaking in water to release flavors
13. Suspension c. process of forming a mixture
14. Oxidation d. when something can no longer be dissolved
15. Tannins e. property of liquids from molecular cohesive forces
16. Steep f. mixture is finely divided that it does not easily settle
17. Adhesion g. over boiling causes better taste because of
18. Surface Tension h. when things bond together

21. Making Sweet Tea-Quiz AnswersC D A B F G H E