CTC tea, which stands for Crush, Tear, Curl, is a method of processing tea leaves. It is commonly used in the production of black teas, especially in India, Sri Lanka, and Africa. Here's a description of CTC tea:
Processing Method:
Crush: The tea leaves are mechanically crushed, breaking them into small, uniform particles. This increases the surface area of the leaves, which in turn affects the flavor extraction during brewing.
Tear: After crushing, the leaves are torn into even smaller pieces. This step further helps in uniformity and consistency in the size of the tea particles.
Curl: The tea leaves are then curled into small, round pellets or granules. This is achieved through a rolling process that shapes the leaves into their final form.
Appearance:
CTC tea leaves are typically small, granular, and uniform in size. They are often smaller than the whole or broken leaf teas, resembling tiny pellets.
Flavor and Aroma:
CTC teas are known for producing a robust, bold, and brisk infusion. They tend to have a strong, malty flavor with a pronounced astringency. This makes CTC teas well-suited for being brewed with milk and sugar, as is common in regions like India where they are used to make chai.
Brewing Characteristics:
Due to the small particle size, CTC tea brews quickly and yields a strong, dark liquor. It's known for its consistency in flavor, making it a popular choice for mass production and commercial tea bags.
Usage:
CTC teas are often used in tea bags because of their convenience and consistency in brewing. They are also favored for making strong, flavorful iced teas. In many parts of India, CTC tea is the preferred choice for making chai, a spiced milk tea.
Caffeine Content:
CTC tea generally contains a higher amount of caffeine compared to whole leaf teas. This contributes to its robust and invigorating qualities.
Origin:
CTC processing is commonly used in countries with large-scale tea production, such as India, Sri Lanka, Kenya, and other African tea-producing nations.
Blending and Grading:
CTC teas are often blended with other teas to achieve specific flavor profiles. They are also graded based on factors like leaf size, color, and quality, with higher grades often indicating better quality.
In summary, CTC tea is a widely produced type of black tea known for its strong, bold flavor and convenient brewing properties. It's a popular choice for making strong, milky chai and is commonly used in commercial tea bags.
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