Hand-picked or machine-picked? A thorough explanation of tea harvesting methods

Introduction

The quality of tea leaves varies greatly depending on when and how they are picked.

In terms of quality, hand-picked tea is still the best. Hand-picking is the traditional method of picking tea leaves one by one by hand.

However, hand picking is very laborious, so today most picking is done by machine.

Picking is an important job that requires speed and care. This time, we will explain in detail the main picking methods and their characteristics, from the traditional hand-picking to the modern machine-picking.

Three plucking methods

Currently, the picking methods used in Japan are hand picking, scissors picking, and mechanical picking.

Furthermore, mechanical picking methods are classified into several types, such as portable, self-propelled, ride-on, and rail-type, depending on the size of the machine and how it is used.

1. Hand-picked

Until the early Taisho period, hand-picking was the norm.

Even though most picking has now been done by machine, this method is still used to produce high-quality tea to be entered in tea competitions during the new tea season.

In addition, in the case of naturally grown tea fields, such as Gyokuro and Tencha, the tea is hand-picked. Because this is a very inefficient and time-consuming process, it is often the case that the entire family, relatives, and neighbors join in the work to ensure that the best time for picking is not missed.

Hand-picking allows the tea leaves to be of high quality because the soft tips and new shoots can be carefully picked, which machines cannot. Also, hand-picking allows the tea leaves to be picked at different parts and in different ways, depending on the variety and the condition of each bud.

On the other hand, as mentioned above, harvesting takes time and labor costs are high, so production volumes are low.

2. Scissor Picking

Scissor picking was first used to pick tea leaves from the end of the Meiji period to the beginning of the Taisho period.

As the name suggests, the tea leaves are picked using hand-held scissors, with a cloth bag attached to the tip of the scissors to hold the cut tea leaves.

Once you become an expert, the efficiency can be 5 to 10 times higher than by hand, but because hand picking requires delicate operation, it takes time to become proficient.

As the tea industry becomes more mechanized, scissors picking has been replaced by large ride-on or small portable pickers, but scissors picking is still used on steep slopes or on small tea plantations where it is difficult to use machinery.

3. Mechanical picking

In recent years, mechanical picking has become more common due to labor shortages and the need to improve efficiency.

One of the advantages of mechanical picking is its high productivity.

Compared to hand-picking, it is possible to harvest a large amount of tea leaves in a short amount of time, and because the leaves are picked by machine to a set standard, the quality is relatively consistent.

On the other hand, there is a disadvantage that the quality is slightly inferior because it is difficult to carefully pick the tips of the buds and the soft parts using machines.

Although it is generally referred to as mechanical picking, there are various types as shown below, and they have changed over time.

1. One-person power small plucking machine

This was the first machine developed to efficiently harvest tea leaves, and was introduced in the 1950s (1955 onwards).

Since it is possible to harvest a large amount of tea leaves in a short amount of time, it is about 1.8 times more efficient than using manual scissors.

On the other hand, there are some disadvantages, such as low efficiency because it is a one-person job, and it can be difficult to use depending on the shape of the tea field. Furthermore, because the machine is heavy and hard work, people have switched to portable two-person plucking machines, and they are not widely used today.

2. Two-person portable picker

Unlike small one-person plucking machines, this machine requires two people to work together and can be moved around the tea fields while working. It was put into practical use in the 1960s (1965 onwards) and is currently the most widely used type.

Two people hold the machine between the rows of tea and pick the tea while walking between the rows. The picking machine is equipped with an engine and a blower, and the cut tea buds are blown into bags by the wind.

It is several times more efficient than manual scissors. It is widely used on sloping land and in small tea plantations.

3. Ride-on Picker

Unlike tea fields in mountain valleys, riding plucking machines are used in flat tea fields with a little space. Although they are expensive, they are efficient and put less strain on the labor, so they are widely used in large, flat tea fields.

Riding-on plucking machines allow one person to not only pick the tea but also prune the branches, making them highly useful for tea farmers who are suffering from a serious labor shortage.

Initially, only large machines were available for large-scale farms, but now small ride-on plucking machines have been developed and are being introduced to smaller tea farms. There are also various ways to store tea leaves, such as bags or containers.

4. Rail-operated picking machine

Rails are installed between the furrows in the tea fields, and the tea is picked while driving along the rails. There are self-propelled and hand-powered types, and because the height can be precisely adjusted, it is said that this allows for picking that is close to the quality of hand picking.

summary

How was it?

As such, there are many different methods for plucking tea leaves, from the traditional hand-picking that has been around for ages to the more modern mechanical picking.

Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages, and the optimal method is selected each time according to the type of tea and production conditions, while the plucking method is constantly being improved.

In recent years, with the introduction of AI and robotics technology, research into more advanced plucking techniques has progressed, and tea leaf plucking will continue to evolve with the times.