Relations between the character of tea [Camellia sinensis] leaves and the passing time on the steaming process

The relation between the character and the passing time of tea leaves in a steaming machine was examined. The correlation between the passing time (Y) and the drum angle (X) could be described by Y=a ebX. Then, the expressions were as follows. (1) The 1st crop: Y=70.91e-0.136X Where, Y; the passing time of tea leaves in second. X; the drum angle in degree. (2) The 2nd and 3rd crops: Y=68.10e-0.148X Like this, the passing time was different between the tea seasons. The passing time decreased with increasing the shoot length, and this tendency was distinct at a small angle. The passing time of tea leaves of progressed maturity was shorter than that of the young shoots. The difference of the passing time at the same angle could be expressed by the weight of dry matter and the bulk of tea leaves which were thrown into a steaming machine. Then, the multiple correlation coefficients of equations were statistically significant.