The Characteristics of Leaf Thickness of Tea Shoot in Natural Shape Bush Formation under the Covering Culture

Abstract

In order to establish a method of quality evaluation with leaf thickness of raw material leaf of Tencha, leaf thickness of tea shoot was measured and the characteristic was examined. Furthermore, leaf weight and leaf area of tea shoot was measured and the appropriate measurement position of leaf thickness of tea shoot in natural shape bush formation was examined.
1. The appropriate measurement part of leaf thickness in a leaf was the center part of leaf blade, which was surrounded by lateral vein.
2. Elder leaf of new shoot was thicker than younger leaf.
3. In the same order of upper three leaves in a new shoot, the leaf thickness was approximately similar regardless of the shoot order and the growth degree of the branch.
4. As a result of measurement of leaf weight and leaf area, final Tencha crude tea was mainly composed of the third leaf.
5. In conclusion, the third leaf was the most suitable for evaluating material quality as Tencha.