Spatial changes in leaf biochemical profile of two tea cultivars following cold storage under two different vapour pressure deficit (VPD) conditions

Abstract Withering is considered a crucial stage of black tea processing. In this study, tea shoots from two cultivars (cvs. Yabukita and Clone 2) were stored at 5 °C, in either a low or high vapour pressure deficit (VPD) environment, to determine the impact of different withering rates on physiology ( viz . respiration rate [RR], colour and moisture loss) and biochemical profile ( viz . individual catechins, methylxanthines) of tea shoots ( Camellia sinensis ). Low VPD and high VPD conditions during withering increased caffeine levels in Clone 2 and Yabukita, respectively ( p p ca . 75 and 56%, respectively) compared to bud and larger leaf (LL) ( p