METHOD FOR PRODUCING TEA FROM BERGENIA Russian patent published in 2001 - IPC

FIELD: food-processing industry. SUBSTANCE: method involves using bergenia leaves withered and fermented under natural conditions; wetting black 1-3 year bergenia leaves in water having temperature of 18-25 C for 8-24 hours; pouring out water; grinding leaves into 4-9 mm sized particles; subjecting ground leaves to additional artificial fermentation, while maintaining relative humidity of 95- 100%, for 24-48 hours; providing thermal treatment of half-finished product at temperature of 90-100 C to moisture content of 7-9%; grinding dried half-finished product to obtain 1.5-2.0 mm sized particles; sieving through sieve and briquetting at pressure of 10.0-15.0 MPa. Method allows tea substitute to be obtained. Upon brewing, liquid has flavor characteristic of "Chagir" tea. Tea obtained from bergenia leaves may be used as curative and prophylactic means. EFFECT: improved quality, wider range of usages and convenient consumer properties. 2 cl