Evaluation of fluorine level in different tea cultivars for Sichuan dark tea production

摘要

Tea plant (Camellia sinensis) could accumulate fluorine (F) in leaves efficiently. Fresh tea leaves are always regarded as the culprit of excess F in Sichuan dark tea (SDT). The present study evaluated F level in different tea cultivars and young shoots to select the appropriate production raw materials. Results showed that F level varied greatly among tea cultivars, from 65.9 to 821.6 mg kg~(-1) in the young shoots with five expanded leaves and increased with the age of young shoots. Young shoots with up to seven leaves of Zhongcha 108 or Fuding Dabaicha had the lower F level and could be used as the appropriate raw materials to produce Sichuan dark tea.