CTC is a machine-processed tea which the leaves pass between tow sharpened rollers and the tea is heavily bruised and pulverized, resulting in uniform size of tea which look a lot like instant coffee. It is small particles that produce a quick brewing and strong tea.
The CTC machine consists of two contra-rotating metal rollers normally 20 cm in diameter. The surface of each roller is engraved with a matching pattern of teeth and the roller is mounted so that the teeth mesh together.
Leaf passing between the rollers is said to experience a crushing, tearing an curling action, hence the name CTC.
The CTC processing method results in smaller fragments of leaf, which appear bright in the cup.
CTC processing alters the flavor, and more important, the mouth-feel of the finished tea. It brews up quickly to give impatient tea drinkers color and strength in minutes.
Its greater standardization, poor ‘appearance’ but good liquor and a quick infusion, make CTC tea very suitable for the tea bag market.
CTC tea processing
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