But couldn't individual leaves that are part-green and part-brown be
the result of sun-drying? I know I've read that sun-drying causes
uneven partial oxidation.

/Lew


Sorry, I wasn't clear - it is not "brown" as in oxidized colour, but
dark brown or black as in the fully oxidized leaves (the can't
unfurled types) that you find in cooked pu'er.

Sun-drying causes a slight amount of oxidation, but most of the
oxidation would be created when the plucked leaves are left in the
basket to knock and bruise against each other en route to the
factory...

Danny