Humidification in Tea Production

Get advice on tea factory humidification

Benefits

Correct humidity control during tea fermentation improves quality and has many benefits.

Enhanced flavour

Humidification during fermentation significantly enhances tea quality.

High ROI

Increased quality with higher market value.

Evaporative cooling

Low energy cooling to manage temperatures.

Tea production humidity control

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Higher quality tea whatever the outdoor conditions

Considered humidification and temperature control during fermentation (also known as oxidation) provides the right conditions for the polyphenols in withered leaves to develop into the theaflavins, thearugibins and other compounds that create the characteristic flavours and colour of black teas.

Consistent and accurate humidity across the fermentation room and within the CFM machine results in more moisture being retained within the leaf. If leaves dry, oxidation slows as water is required for the process. An ambient relative humidity of 95-98%RH is ideal to maintain optimal fermentation. This results in higher quality tea with a higher market value, resulting in rapid return on investment in the humidification system.

Humidity control in rolling rooms

Humidification of the rolling room and CTC area will prevent moisture loss from the tea prior to it arriving in the fermentation room. This will ensure the maximum amount of moisture is available inside the leaf to act as the catalyst for the oxidation process. A high humidity of around 90-95%RH will also prevent the leaf’s ruptured outer surface from sealing itself, which can inhibit the oxidation process. Although the tea spends a relatively short amount of time in this area, humidity control will still benefit the quality of the final product.

Humidity control in teabag production

For a factory producing tea bags, controlling the humidity to around 60%RH in the filling area will help reduce electrostatic build-up. Static can cause issues with tea bags sticking to each other and problems with filling, as tea won’t consistently flow. A dry atmosphere promotes static build-up and causes tea to stick and lump together, which can result in inaccurate volumes being introduced to each bag.

Evaporative cooling

Cold water humidifiers offer a low energy way to cool an atmosphere, as evaporating water provides 0.65kW of cooling per kg of evaporated moisture. Therefore, a spray humidifier delivering 100kg/h to a fermentation area is not only maintaining the humidity level but also providing 68kW per hour of evaporative air cooling.

When designing the fermentation area’s temperature control system, it is important to factor in this reduction in temperature from the humidity control system as escalating temperatures can impact tea quality. An even temperature across a whole area is required for maximum consistency and quality.

Quotes from our customers

Darshananand Holdings Pvt Ltd (Bajrang Tea Factory)

Aditya Agarwal

Director

“Before we had the JetSpray humidifier, we were unable to achieve the high humidity levels we needed. Our previous humidification system also tended to cause wet patches on the floor nearby. However, since we had the JetSpray humidifier installed, the area is consistently at 95%RH and we’ve managed to virtually eliminate weight loss from the tea during fermentation. This means the moisture stays in the leaf, improving the tea’s fermentation and enhancing the quality of our finished product. We’ve found the JetSpray humidifier very easy to operate and the use of compressed air in the aerosol ensures we never get any drips from the nozzles or wetting on the floor."

Parmeshwari Tea Company

Ajay Dhandharia

Managing Partner

"After installing the JetSpray system we observed that any level of humidity required is constantly achievable without condensation or water getting deposited on the floor or over the machine. With improved humidity conditions, teas became brighter, blacker with better bloom and improved density."

Frequently asked questions

What is the ideal humidity level for tea oxidation / fermentation?

Why is humidity control important in tea production?

What happens if humidity levels drop during fermentation?

Is humidification necessary if the climate is naturally humid?

What are the risks of using traditional spinning disc humidifiers in tea production?

What hygiene functions are required from a humidification system?

Get free expert advice

If you want to explore your options for humidity control, Condair's expert sales engineers will visit your site, review your project and talk you through their recommendations.

Alternatively, if you would prefer a call or online meeting, our team are always happy to discuss possible solutions and offer free technical advice.