The Leaf of Caucasian Rhododendron (Rhododendron caucasicum Pall.) for Receiving a Perspective Raw Material – “Mate” Type Tea

Abstract

Diagnostic and dimensional characteristics of a Caucasian rhododendron leaves are investigated in this essay. Under the investigation are flavonoids substances of leaves and their transformation during vegetation process. It is derived that flavonoids substances contain the following components - catechins (19,2-36,1 mg / g), leukoanthocyanidins (164-209 mg / g) and flavonols (15,1-34,0 mg / g).

Character of change flavonoids changing is established like the following: in a flowering phase (May - June) their general content is slightly reduced (163,6 mg / g), their levels increas in August (279,1 mg / g) and decrease by the end of vegetation (211,8 mg / g); this work presents the new method of quantifying definition of arbutin by photoelectrocolorimetric method, which in comparison with existing (iodmetrical) method is characterized by expressed higher accuracy of definition (a degree of mistake of definition of 3,4 % against 4,8 % in comparison with an existing method).

Technological parameters of receiving tea product from the leaves of rhododendron are developed, providing preparation of raw material, cooling, crushing, roasting, thermal conditioning, repeated crushing and sifting.

It is shown, that the generated tea product differs both from black, and from green teas by organic characteristics and is more closely related to Paraguayan tea "Маtе". This conclusion can serve as significant proof for expansion of a raw-material base of tea "Маtе" in conditions of subtropics of Georgia.