茶葉

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: The spelling is 茶葉, read ちゃば, and it combines 茶, meaning tea, with 葉, meaning leaf.
• Basic usage: 茶葉 means dried or processed tea leaves used to brew tea.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• An ingredient for brewing and material whose aroma is protected
  • Both examples use the form 茶葉. The leaves receive hot water in a teapot, and after opening they are moved to a tin so that their aroma does not escape.
• Hot water in a teapot and storage after opening
  • 急須に茶葉を入れて熱い湯を注いだ。 — I put tea leaves in the pot and poured in hot water.
  • 開封した茶葉は香りが逃げないよう缶に移した。 — I transferred the opened tea leaves to a tin to preserve their aroma.