On Feb 26, 7:57 am, Lewis Perin > wrote:
> "MarshalN" > writes:
> > [...leaf appearance...]
> > 5) AFAIK having bug bites on the leaf is an Oriental Beauty
> > trademark... the bitten spots promote fermentation.
>
> Yes, the bug bites are the key to OB, but I don't think greater
> fermentation is what makes the difference. I once saw a scientific
> presentation that established experimentally (!) that the bug bites
> encourage the living leaf to produce greater amounts of some aromatic
> compounds. Presumably, from an evolutionary standpoint, these
> compounds are "intended" as a bug repellent. In any case, this
> happens in the living leaf, before any fermentation happens during
> manufacture.
>
> /Lew
> ---
> Lew Perin /
> recent addition: tai di cha

AFAIK, on non-OB teas, bug bites is an indication of less reliance on
using insecticide by the farmer.