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Tea Drying Machine

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Halpewaththa
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The fresh leaves are placed in long troughs at the end of each day and "withered" by blowing air through them. After about 70% of the moisture has been removed, they are crushed and broken in a machine. Then they are left to ferment for a precise interval before the rest of the moisture is removed in this dryer. This is the basic process which creates "black tea."