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Nepal tea is globally loved for its rich aroma, bright colour, and high antioxidant profile. But the secret behind every tasty cup lies in how the tea is processed in the machines, and especially in the tea-leaf-rolling machine.
This comprehensive guide will provide you:
Let's see how raw tea leaves transformed into the tea we savoured.
Tea processing refers to the scientific and craft transformation of freshly plucked tea leaves (Camellia sinensis) into finished teas: black tea, green tea, colong, white tea, and specialty teas.
Each completed product type undergoes a completely different set of processes. The core stages basically remain the same.
Below is an apparent step-by-step breakdown of the entire process as found in tea factories across Nepal.
Fresh tea leaves normally contain about 70-80% moisture. Withering reduces moisture and softens leaves, enabling the leaves to roll.
Types of Withering:
Purpose:
✔ Prepares leaves for rolling.
✔ Improves aroma precursors.
✔ Starts slight oxidation.
This is the most crucial step in the tea processing.
During rolling and twisting, cuts occur so that polyphenols will later oxidise the natural juice release, which will contribute to taste, color and fragrance during oxidation.
In the past, the tea leaves were spun by hand. Today, however, Tea Leaf Rolling Machines guarantees uniformity, speed, and higher production capacity.
This is the process of turning green leaves naturally into red-brown ( for black tea).
Key Effects of Oxidation:
Very close monitoring is required at this stage to ensure accurate temperature, time, and humidity.
The tea is dried to reduce moisture to 2–3%, which helps:
Usually, drying is done by:
Different grades of tea are made according to the following criteria:
Common grades include:
Grading ensures uniformity and consistent market value.
Tea factories in Nepal, from Ilam to Dhankut, commonly use tea leaf-rolling machines to boost production and maintain consistent quality. The working of these machines is designed just like the traditional hand-rolling technique, but with more efficiency.
A typical tea rolling machine contains:
As the top plate presses and rotates, the leaves tumble and twist. In just 20-45 minutes, the leaves are typically shaped and prepared for oxidation.
Here are the most used rolling machines in Nepal's tea industry:
Most common in Nepal.
Best For: Orthodox and black tea factories.
Features:
Especially designed for orthodox tea rolling.
Advantages:
Best for:
Benefits:
Modern rolling machines include:
Best For:
Factories producing a high volume of tea with consistent quality are intended for exporting.
Price: Rs. 150,000 - Rs. 300,000
Perfect For:
Price: Rs. 300,000- Rs. 650,000
Ideal For:
Price: Rs. 600,000 to Rs. 1,200,000
Ideal For:
Price: Rs. 1,500,000-2,800,000 +
Ideal For:
Price: Rs. 2,500,000 to Rs. 4,500,000 +
Best for:
Price: Rs. 800,000 - Rs. 1,600,000
Best For:
Price variations are based on:
Meeting the high demand in flushtime (the peak season).
Structure firm pressure and rolling patterns.
Clean processing through food-grade steel.
Well-known teas fetch higher prices in domestic and foreign markets.
Less manual effort and human error.
An upgrade in modern tea processing technologies could really minimize these issues.
The tea industry of Nepal is going toward:
Tea leaf rolling machines will remain central in ensuring premium quality.
Ilam is the more prominent tea-producing region in Nepal. Other significant areas include:
These regions now supply not only local markets but also high-value export buyers in Europe, the USA, and East Asia. This is because reliable tea processing and tea-rolling machines have now become non-negotiable for factories and cooperatives.
Processing differs slightly by category, especially during the rolling and heating stages, because the parameters vary.
Tea processing is an art supported by science and technology, from making black, green, or orthodox tea to the stage where the leaves contribute most to shaping the flavor and quality. Modern tea leaf-rolling machines help Nepali factories be consistent and efficient while exporting grade-quality tea.
If you are planning not to upgrade your tea factory but start a small processing unit, modern machinery should be the focal point to stay competitive.
Looking for reliable and high-quality Tea Leaf Rolling Machines in Nepal? Go premium with Changing Nepal for quality machines and guaranteed support. Delivering high durability, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness, they provide specially designed tea processing solutions for Nepali tea factories.
Tea rolling twists and crushes leaves to release natural juices and polyphenols, which later develop flavor, color, and aroma.
It typically takes 20- 45 minutes to achieve the desired rolling action, depending on the type of leaf and the twist sought.
A Mini Tea Leaf Rolling Machine is the best choice because it is very affordable and takes up a small space.
Yes. It represents advanced developments towards greater consistency, reduced labour, and higher production output, especially in large factories.
The price of a tea rolling machine ranges between 45,000 and 1,800,000+, depending on capacity and features.