All About CTC Tea

All About CTC Tea

CTC tea really refers to a way of processing black tea. Named for the approach, “overwhelm, tear, curl” (and now and again called “cut, tear, curl”) in which black tea leaves are run through a series of cylindrical rollers. The rollers have hundreds of sharp teeth that crush, tear, and curl the leaves. The rollers produce small, tough pellets crafted from tea. This CTC method isn't like stylish tea manufacturing, in which the tea leaves are sincerely rolled into strips. Tea made through this method is known as CTC tea (and from time to time known as mamri tea).

History of CTC Tea

The CTC technique have become invented in the Nineteen Thirties by way of manner of Sir William McKercher in Assam, India. The technique spread within the 1950s at some point of India and Africa. Today, most black tea produced across the arena uses the CTC technique. The finished product consequences in tea well-applicable for tea baggage, is strongly flavored, and quick to infuse.

Drawbacks of the CTC Method

By its nature of crushing and tearing, the CTC technique can be recognized to homogenize the taste of the black tea. When the tea is beaten and torn, the strain reasons the tea to naturally break down the cells. The broken cells come to be completely oxidized, causing the tea to flavor robust, but lose its subtlety. CTC teas in their dry shape can be combined with cheaper teas, making it harder to distinguish the actual forms of tea leaves used inside the tea. Conversely, entire and damaged leaf teas are an lousy lot harder to mix with inexpensive teas. If the tea at the begin of the CTC manner is excessive high-quality, the finished CTC tea product will also be true great.

Drinking CTC Tea

The CTC technique makes CTC tea have a steady flavor profile from one batch to the following. A not unusual type of CTC tea is Assam tea, a famous black tea. Assam tea generally steeps as a deep ruby pink shade with a wealthy, barely sour flavor. Other common black tea blends encompass English Breakfast, Irish Breakfast, and Afternoon Tea. Assam tea is the conventional tea black tea that is utilized in Masala chai recipes. Masala chai, truely that means “mixed spice tea,” is made with milk, black tea, and spices.

Caffeine and CTC Tea

The CTC method is most usually used for maximum black tea sorts. Black tea normally has quite a range of caffeine ranges in line with cup, beginning from 50-90 mg of caffeine consistent with cup. Many factors impact the caffeine degrees in tea, along with the real tea leaves, the temperature of the water, and the brewing time. Additionally, a masala chai tea will in all likelihood have plenty less caffeine than a complete cup of Assam tea. Masala chai is made with a spice combo and milk (which do no longer comprise caffeine ).

Where to Buy CTC Tea

Most black teas are taken into consideration CTC teas and can be bought at any grocery store. If you’re mainly interested by a tea’s starting vicinity and production information, it’s satisfactory to go to a specialty tea store or browse on line tea vendors to discover an appropriate kind of tea you're searching out (or take a look at with new tea kinds).