The tea is first graded by particle size, shape, and cleanliness. Since small-sized teas are in demand, some larger teas are processed again to gain a higher amount of smaller grades. Processed tea must be packed into airtight containers to prevent absorption of moisture, Moisture absorption is the principal cause of loss of flavor during storage. Blended teas may be sold as loose tea or put into tea bags. Tea bags are usually packed with broken-grade tea.
Instant tea is a powdered form of brewed black tea.
During processing, liquor is extracted and collected from tea wastes, processed leaves or undried, fermented leaves. Instant tea dissolves quickly in water and often contains sugar, sugar substitutes, and other flavors like lemon, orange, raspberry, peach or cinnamon. The majority of today's medical research involving tea is linked to green tea, but new studies are being conducted to include black tea. The Chinese have always believed that tea has strong medicinal uses. Through research, tea has been linked to the reduction of the risk of cancers, artherosclerosis, and heart disease because of its strong antioxidant properties.