Volatile Components of Black Tea (Part 1)

The difference of volatile components in the essential oil of fresh tea leaves among clone, season, locality and year was examined by gas chromatography.1. The difference of volatile components in the essential oil among clones was as follows ;The clones of Hatsumomizi, Satsumabeni and Shans contained relatively larger amount of linalool than the other clones, on the other hand, the clones of Akane, Indo, Benihomare and Benikaori contained relatively larger amount of geraniol, benzyl alcohol and phenylethyl. alcohol than the former clones.2. The seasonal changes of volatile components in the essential oil were as follows ;The increasing components from the first season to the third season were benzaldehyde, benzyl alcohol, and decreasing components was geraniol.3. Linalool and geraniol in the essential oil were contained relatively larger amount in the Assam varieties than the Japan varieties, and linalool oxide (II), benzaldehyde and benzly alcohol were contained relatively larger amount in the Japan varieties than the Assam varieties.4. There were little differences of the components of essential oil in the fresh tea leaves among the locality and the year.