Identification and Classification of Tea Leaf Color and Establishment of A Tea Leaf Color System

WANG Kairong; ZHANG Longjie; LIANG Yuerong; LI Xiaoxiang; ZHENG Xinqiang

doi:10.13305/j.cnki.jts.2025.05.005

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Journal of Tea Science ›› 2025, Vol. 45 ›› Issue (5) : 795-807. DOI: 10.13305/j.cnki.jts.2025.05.005

Research Paper

Identification and Classification of Tea Leaf Color and Establishment of A Tea Leaf Color System

WANG Kairong¹, ZHANG Longjie², LIANG Yuerong³, LI Xiaoxiang³, ZHENG Xinqiang^3,*

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Abstract

The color values of 865 colored tea germplasm were obtained by comparing them with the PANTONE and RHS plant color cards, and describing them in language. Based on the principles of color science and the descriptors and data standard for tea germplasm, the basis and method for leaf color identification and classification were established according to the coloring regularity of tea leaves. On the basis of the definition of leaf color, a framework of tea leaf color composition consisting of type, series, sub-series and color level was established. The existing tea leaf colors were drawn into a tea leaf color system diagram (leaf color wheel), including 5 types, 9 color series, 6 sub-series (belonging to 3 color series) and 72 color levels. This paper provided a scientific basis for the leaf color differentiation and accurate identification of colored tea germplasms.

Key words

classification / identification / leaf color / leaf color system / tea plant

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WANG Kairong, ZHANG Longjie, LIANG Yuerong, LI Xiaoxiang, ZHENG Xinqiang. Identification and Classification of Tea Leaf Color and Establishment of A Tea Leaf Color System[J]. Journal of Tea Science. 2025, 45(5): 795-807 https://doi.org/10.13305/j.cnki.jts.2025.05.005

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