As technology sweeps through industries worldwide, even the centuries-old world of tea—grounded in tradition and culture—is starting to experience a shift. Stijn Van Schoonlandt, tea expert at Kruze and generative AI consultant, shares his thoughts on the emerging role of AI in tea production and how it could enrich the industry without losing sight of its roots.
Artificial intelligence is already reshaping how we work, but could it fit into something as traditional as tea? It might surprise some, but from crop management to quality control, AI is beginning to make a difference—even in tea production. Let’s explore where technology meets tradition, how AI supports tea growers and producers today, and what changes we might see in the future.
More Innovative Farming for Healthier Tea Plants
Precision farming is one of the biggest changes AI has introduced in agriculture, and tea is no exception. Farmers can now use AI-powered drones and sensors to check on their crops in ways that weren’t possible before. Tea growers can assess soil health, moisture, and even pest risks across their fields with these tools. It’s a powerful way to keep crops healthy while also making better use of water and other resources, all of which leads to more consistent, high-quality tea.
AI is also proving valuable in the oxidation process, one of the critical steps in tea-making. By keeping oxidation levels consistent, AI helps tea makers achieve steady quality across batches, so each cup stays true to its origins while ensuring we enjoy the same level of flavor and aroma time after time.
Navigating Climate Change: Better Weather Predictions with AI
Tea-growing is heavily influenced by weather, and in a changing climate, growers are finding it more challenging to predict the best times for planting and harvesting.
Farmers now have more accurate weather predictions with AI to help them make informed decisions around these vital cycles. While nature is unpredictable, AI is a tool to manage some of that uncertainty, offering better insights that can help tea farms stay resilient. It’s still an emerging field, but the potential for AI to improve yields, even in challenging weather, is something growers are starting to embrace.
Quality Testing Made Easier with Tools like ProfilePrint
Ensuring consistency in quality across the supply chain is a practical challenge in the tea world. Traditional quality checks require physical samples to be sent to a lab, which can be costly and time-consuming.
With the AI tool, ProfilePrint, it becomes easier to quality test tea samples. The tool analyzes a small sample of tea, verifies the product’s quality, and detects any unwanted additives.
This technology doesn’t replace human tasters but complements their expertise. Tea tasters continue to evaluate teas on sensory aspects like aroma, clarity, and mouthfeel. ProfilePrint’s device, however, offers a faster, more consistent way to gauge quality before samples reach the tasting stage, making quality assurance more efficient across the board.
On-the-spot Pesticide Monitoring
The Tea Research Association in Kolkata has developed an AI-based device to detect pesticide residue in tea leaves on the farm. This small, portable machine means farmers no longer have to wait for lab results to ensure their tea meets food safety standards.
While the device is still in its early stages, it holds promise, especially for regions with limited lab facilities. It’s a great example of how AI can support safety and sustainability efforts in tea, offering a practical solution to a long-standing problem.
Harvesting Robots and Labor Challenges
Tea harvesting has traditionally relied on skilled labor, but AI-powered robots are now lending a hand—literally. In Hangzhou, robots equipped with AI can select the best tea leaves with impressive precision, picking only the finest leaves. While these robots are a big help to large-scale producers facing labor shortages, the high cost of these machines means they’re currently out of reach for smaller farms.
Supporting Small-Scale Farmers
For small farms, AI tools can feel out of reach due to cost and limited access to technology. However, there are practical tools that have made an impact for small farmers, particularly in developing areas. For example, Virtual Agronomist provides crop advice via WhatsApp, offering farmers tailored guidance on fertilizer use, pest management, and other essential practices. PlantVillage, a similar tool, helps farmers identify crop diseases early on, simply by analyzing a photo.
These tools often rely on local “lead farmers” who are trained to share their knowledge with others nearby, making it easier to spread these benefits across the community. These AI tools don’t require big investments, which makes them a practical way for smaller farms to improve their yields and safeguard crop health.
Looking Ahead: A Balanced Future for Tea
As we look to the future, it’s clear AI will continue influencing how tea is grown, processed, and enjoyed. Yet, for an industry so connected to history and heritage, it’s crucial that AI enhances rather than replaces the human touch.
At Kruze, we see AI as a powerful tool to support the industry’s growth, not as something that will diminish the artistry of tea-making.
References :
- Bidisha Hazarika, Manoranjan Gogoi, Kollol Pratim Baruah, “Revolutionizing the tea industry with AI”, just agriculture magazine, October 2023
- Carlos Mureithi, “High tech, high yields? The Kenyan farmers deploying AI to increase productivity”, The Guardian online, Monday 30th of September 2024
- Qilin Xu, Yifeng Zhou, Linlin Wu, “Advancing tea detection with artificial intelligence: Strategies, progress, and future prospects”, Trends in food science & technology, September 2024
- Profileprint, website ProfilePrint | AI-Driven Ingredient Quality Platform
- Virtual Agronomist, website iSDA - Virtual Agronomist
- Dan Bolton, “Would an AI Like the Taste of Your Tea?”, STiR magazine, December 2022
- Prof K. Maheshkumar, “The role of AI in overcoming labor challenges in tea plantations”, March 2024
Plan to Attend or Participate in World Tea Expo, March 24-26, 2025
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