Tea processing involves several key steps that contribute to the final product's flavor and quality. The primary steps in tea processing include withering, fermentation (or oxidation), and rolling. Each of these plays a significant role in the development of flavor and the overall quality of the tea.
- Withering: Withering is the process of wilting the freshly plucked tea leaves to reduce their moisture content, making them pliable for further processing.
- Fermentation: Also known as oxidation, this step is crucial in the production of different types of tea, such as black tea, where the leaves are allowed to oxidize and develop flavor.
- Rolling: After withering, the leaves are rolled to break up the cell walls and release enzymes that help in the fermentation process.
- Winnowing: Correct! Winnowing is not part of tea processing. This process is used in grain and seed cleaning to separate lighter particles from the heavier ones and is not related to tea leaf processing.
Thus, the correct answer is (4) Winnowing.