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What is CTC Tea ?

by Shikha Puri 23 May 2020 9 Comments
Amgoorie Tea Garden, Inventors of the First CTC Tea Machine in the World

CTC Tea – Where and How did it get its name?

It derives its name from a production process Crush, Tear, Curl. It is a process by which a number of cylindrical rollers are used to make an even cut tea pellet.

Assam CTC Tea, Dooars CTC Tea, Terai CTC Tea, Buy CTC Tea online, Best CTC Tea in India

What does CTC tea taste like?

The characteristics of a good Assam CTC tea is that it will taste malty, has good strength and rich taste. When you add milk, the liquor should turn golden.

History of CTC Tea - India's Gift to Tea Lovers

Col. James Buckingham was born on March 23, 1843. Son of late Reverend J. Buckingham, Devon. He planted Amgoorie Tea Estate in Assam.

Sir William McKercher In 1931, was the Superintendent of Amgoorie Tea Estate and he invented the CTC tea manufacturing process. His invention had spread across India and Africa by 1950, and he left an indelible mark on the tea industry.

Today, CTC Tea is the most widely consumed tea in the world.

About Amgoorie Tea Estate

The tea estate derived its name from two words “Aam” which means Mango and “Guri” means roots of the mango tree. It is said that there were many mango trees in the area. The tea garden is located on the southern bank of the Brahmaputra and borders Nagaland.

Goodricke Group Limited owns the tea estate, and the garden is considered a jewel in the crown. Amgoorie Tea Garden produces some of the best CTC teas in Assam. The tea is sought after by boutiques in India and Abroad.

Amgoorie Tea Estate, CTC Tea, History of CTC Tea

Enjoy drinking a cup of CTC Tea

Every morning we are used to drinking the perfect cup of tea, most CTC teas have a consistent flavour profile. The best CTC Tea is made in Assam and ha a bright Golden Colour with a malty taste. Most tea companies and tea blenders use Assam CTC Tea to make blends like English Breakfast, Irish Breakfast etc.

Indian Masala Chai or Chai Tea

CTC Tea is the most popular tea in India; in fact, it is the base of the famed Masala Chai.

India’s most famous tea, Masala Chai uses CTC tea as its base; it is commonly known as Spiced Tea, Mixed Spice Tea, and Spicy Tea.

There are other spicy tea blends made with CTC Tea like Ginger Tea, Cardamom Tea etc. Usually, these teas are consumed with milk and sugar.

 

What is the manufacturing difference between CTC and Orthodox type

As you can see, the manufacturing of CTC tea is faster as compared to Orthodox tea, and the process is illustrated below.

Difference between CTC Tea and Orthodox Tea

What is the basic difference between CTC Tea and Orthodox tea?

These are the basic differences between CTC Tea and Orthodox tea

 

CTC Tea

Orthodox tea

Leaf appearance

Small pellets

Wiry whole leaf

Manufacturing Process

Mass large scale

 The traditional method, attention to detail

Flavours

 

CTC teas have a good taste and produces a strong liquor.

Delicate flavour, more taste

Popularity

Most popular

Enjoyed by Connoisseurs

Affordability

Reasonable

Expensive

               

 Which regions manufacture CTC tea?

The regions that manufacture CTC tea are Assam, Terai, Dooars and South India.  Assam and Dooars produce top quality CTC teas, and there are a number of gardens which are sought after for their CTC teas.

Understanding the manufacturing process of CTC Tea.

When the tea is manufactured in the factory, the second last stage is the sorting process. We need to understand this process in-depth to be able to understand the science behind tea grading. It is in this process where the tea is sorted into various grades.

  CTC Tea Manufacturing process

 

What exactly is a sorting machine?

Basically, it is a machine which has 8 to 10 trays through which the tea is sieved and segregated. To simply put it each tray in the sorting machine has holes in them through which the tea passes. The number of holes per square inch decides the grade of the tea.

 CTC Tea Sorting machine

 


 

What are the grades of CTC Tea?

Grade

Description of Grade

Colour & Liquor

Number of holes in the tray

Usage

BOP L

Broken Orange Pekoe Large

Good aroma and Colour but weak liquor

Six holes per inch

Not very popular

BOPS

Broken Pekoe Souchong

Better taste, aroma and Colour

Eight holes per inch

Not very popular

BOP

Broken Orange Pekoe

Has better Colour, liquor and taste as compared to BOP S and L

Ten holes per inch

Popular with households

BOP SM

Broken Orange Pekoe Small

Has good liquor, Colour and aroma

Twelve holes per inch

Popular with households

BP

Broken Pekoe

It usually has better Colour, taste and sufficient aroma as compared to other grades

Fourteen holes per inch

Popular with high-end hotels and households

BP SM

Broken Pekoe Small

Has good liquor, Colour and aroma

Eighteen holes per inch

Popular with households and hotels

OF

Orange Fannings

Gives immediate Colour and has an aroma

Twenty-two holes per inch

Popular with commercial brands

PD

Pekoe Dust

Gives Colour and strong liquor

Twenty-six holes per inch

Usually bought by tea stalls and smaller restaurants as it has good Colour and strong liquor

Dust

Dust

Gives Colour and strong liquor

What is left over

Usually bought by tea stalls and used in tea bags

CD

Churamani Dust

Gives Colour and slight liquor

All dust grades

Tea Stalls and Teabags

GD

Golden Pekoe

Gives Colour and slight liquor

SRD

Super Red Dust

Gives Colour and slight liquor

FD

Fine Dust

Gives Colour and slight liquor

SFD

Super Fine Dust

Gives Colour and slight liquor

 

What is the price of CTC Tea?

There are many factors that determine the price of CTC Tea. For example, it depends on the Grade of Tea and the region. For example, Assam CTC Price can range from Rs.170 – Rs.650. You can buy cheaper Dooars CTC tea which can range from Rs.140 – Rs. 375. The

 

What are the health benefits of CTC tea?

CTC tea is black tea and has immense health benefits.

Loaded with antioxidants – CTC Tea is a rich source of antioxidants which can help prevent cancer. The antioxidants help kill the cells which cause cancer without damaging the surrounding cells.

CTC Tea keeps you hydrated

It aids in weight loss. It helps in blocking fat absorption in the cells, which helps in maintaining your weight.

It helps in lowering blood pressure. Consuming two cups of black tea without milk will reduce your chances of cardiovascular disease.

The natural chemicals help relieve stress, and it helps you overcome headaches

It aids digestion. If you have a cup of black tea, you will not have stomach cramps.  

 

Where to buy good CTC Tea?

The best place to buy Assam CTC Tea is from specialised tea shops, or from experts who run online tea stores. You can buy Assam CTC Tea at Teacupsfull their Tea Master is an authority on CTC tea manufacturing. Till the time Mr N K Puri was in the tea gardens, he made the best-selling CTC Tea and created a market for it.

There is a wide variety of CTC Tea available in commercial stores; these are blended tea and don’t possess the qualities of a good CTC Tea.

 

Why is the grading of CTC important

It is important for tea blenders and commercial companies as they make blends in bulk. Also, if they have made a blend for the purpose of selling it, they need to maintain consistency in the taste and quality. This can only be achieved when you refer to the grades of tea used.

 

Here is a simple guide for understanding the tea grading system.

Black tea is graded into four types: Whole leaf, broken leaves, fannings and dust. So what is the fuss all about?

Whole leaf tea is produced with little or minimum alteration to the leaf, which is plucked. Whole leaf teas are termed as most valuable, especially when they contain tips.

Broken leaves are sold as medium-grade loose teas; smaller broken leaves are also used in teabags.

Fannings are smaller in size and usually the leftover from the production of large tea grades.

Dust is fine particles of tea and is the lowest grade of tea. In simple terms, the last of what is leftover.

Fannings and dust are commonly blended and used to make teabags.

9 Comments

31 Mar 2021 Jitheshbnair

I would like to start retail tea business in Kerala State Kozhikode dist so I need various varietys and gud quality .so please give me more ideas and product details . And thank u for basic information .if u can help me by giving more details means it vil be very useful fore me any way thanking u have a nice day

31 Dec 2020 Vikram Badkur

Hii
I am start earlier CTC tea business , so I’m interested bulk tea leave purchasing tea pouch packing for retailer & distribution.
Plz guide & suggest CTC tea selling & purchasing me.
Contect& W’up number 9300 9999 03

25 Oct 2020 Dilip T Ramkabir

It’s very good basic information thank you

25 Oct 2020 Digambar Ghorpade

Dear Sir We need Assam CTC Dust best quality and we need various Variety of Assam CTC Dust.And we need bulk Quantity on Regularly basis.pls contact me on 08767242003

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