The present invention relates to a method for processing plant leaves, in particular in the context of producing a fermented product, and to a method for producing a fermented product from plucked plant leaves, comprising the steps: optionally withering the plant leaves, optionally rolling the plant leaves, optionally fermenting the plant leaves, and drying the plant leaves. In order to reduce the expenditure in costs, time and energy of conventional methods for processing plant leaves and for producing a fermented product from plucked plant leaves, respectively, it is provided according to the invention that the plant leaves are conditioned by applying an electric field.

The present invention relates to a method for processing plant leaves, in particular in the context of producing a fermented product, and to a method for producing a fermented product from plucked plant leaves, comprising the steps: optionally withering the plant leaves, optionally rolling the plant leaves, optionally fermenting the plant leaves, and drying the plant leaves. In order to reduce the expenditure in costs, time and energy of conventional methods for processing plant leaves and for producing a fermented product from plucked plant leaves, respectively, it is provided according to the invention that the plant leaves are conditioned by applying an electric field.

Disclosed is a microcapsule containing: (i) a microcapsule core having an active material, and (ii) a microcapsule wall formed of a first polymer and second polymer. The first polymer is a sol-gel polymer. The second polymer is gum arabic, purity gum ultra, gelatin, chitosan, xanthan gum, plant gum, carboxymethyl cellulose, sodium carboxymethyl guar gum, or a combination thereof. The weight ratio between the first and second polymer is 1:10 to 10:1. Also disclosed are processes for preparing the microcapsule and uses of the microcapsules in consumer products.

An object of the present invention is to provide tea leaf powder from which the liquid extracted has a favorable liquid color. That is, the present invention provides a tea leaf powder having 300 m or more of 50% particle diameter measured by a laser diffraction type particle size distribution measuring apparatus on volume basis, and 0.05% by weight or more of anthocyanin content. The tea leaf powder preferably has 120 m or more of 10% particle diameter measured by a laser diffraction type particle size distribution measuring apparatus on volume basis.

An object of the present invention is to provide tea leaf powder from which the liquid extracted has a favorable liquid color. That is, the present invention provides a tea leaf powder having 300 m or more of 50% particle diameter measured by a laser diffraction type particle size distribution measuring apparatus on volume basis, and 0.05% by weight or more of anthocyanin content. The tea leaf powder preferably has 120 m or more of 10% particle diameter measured by a laser diffraction type particle size distribution measuring apparatus on volume basis.

The present abstract for an invention describes the steps preparation process of green tea and the respective resulting product, wherein, in the initial step of the proposed process the young yerba mate leaves (buds) are undergone to steam at between 90 and 100 for a certain time, the moisture is removed from the steam step, and after passing through the steam (steaming) and twisting, the leaves are cooled (cooling), rolled (1.sup.st rolling), first drying (1.sup.st drying), second rolling(2.sup.nd rolling), second drying (2.sup.nd drying) and separation (segregation).

A mill includes a first mill having a first grinding region, a second mill having a second grinding region opposed to the first grinding region and provided to be rotatable relatively to the first mill, and a heat radiation mechanism which is provided in at least one of the first mill and the second mill and radiates friction heat generated as a result of rotation of the first mill and the second mill relative to each other, and the heat radiation mechanism is provided in a portion except for the first grinding region and the second grinding region.

A mill includes a first mill having a first grinding region, a second mill having a second grinding region opposed to the first grinding region and provided to be rotatable relatively to the first mill, and a heat radiation mechanism which is provided in at least one of the first mill and the second mill and radiates friction heat generated as a result of rotation of the first mill and the second mill relative to each other, and the heat radiation mechanism is provided in a portion except for the first grinding region and the second grinding region.

A leaf bruising machine and method for tea comprises frame, bruising basket, rotating door, locking assembly, and drive control mechanism. Bruising basket is rotatably disposed on frame, and has feed, discharge opening, and accommodating cavity. Rotating door is arranged at bruising basket outer side. Position limiting hole is provided on rotating door. Bruising basket rotates relative to rotating door. Rotating door blocks or opens feed and discharge opening. Locking assembly comprises spring-loaded ball latch and electromagnetic switch. Drive control mechanism comprises rotation drive device and controller. Rotation drive device is connected to bruising basket to drive bruising basket rotation. Leaf bruising machine bruises tea leaves. When feed and discharge opening is opened or sealed, bruising basket and rotating door is locked by electromagnetic switch and spring-loaded ball latch cooperation. Automated opening and closing of rotating door, and feeding, discharging, and bruising process control is enabled to improve efficiency.

A leaf bruising machine and method for tea comprises frame, bruising basket, rotating door, locking assembly, and drive control mechanism. Bruising basket is rotatably disposed on frame, and has feed, discharge opening, and accommodating cavity. Rotating door is arranged at bruising basket outer side. Position limiting hole is provided on rotating door. Bruising basket rotates relative to rotating door. Rotating door blocks or opens feed and discharge opening. Locking assembly comprises spring-loaded ball latch and electromagnetic switch. Drive control mechanism comprises rotation drive device and controller. Rotation drive device is connected to bruising basket to drive bruising basket rotation. Leaf bruising machine bruises tea leaves. When feed and discharge opening is opened or sealed, bruising basket and rotating door is locked by electromagnetic switch and spring-loaded ball latch cooperation. Automated opening and closing of rotating door, and feeding, discharging, and bruising process control is enabled to improve efficiency.