The rollers have hundreds of sharp teeth that crush, tear, and twist the leaves. These rollers produce small, hard balls of tea. The CTC method differs from standard tea production, where the tea leaves are simply rolled into strips. Tea made using this method is also called CTC tea, or what we Iranians call ant-head tea (and sometimes known as mammary tea).

History of CTC Tea

The CTC process was invented in the 1930s by Sir William MacKercher in Assam, India. The process spread throughout India and Africa in the 1950s. Today, most black tea produced worldwide uses the CTC method. The final product makes the tea suitable for tea bags, has a strong flavor, and brews quickly.

Disadvantages of the CTC Method

Due to the nature of the crushing and tearing, the CTC method can be considered a flavor homogenizer for black tea. When the tea is crushed and torn, the pressure causes the tea to naturally break down the cells. The broken cells are fully oxidized, giving the tea a strong flavor but a lack of finesse.

Dried CTC teas can be mixed with cheaper teas, making it harder to tell the true types of tea leaves used in the tea. Conversely, it is much harder to mix whole and broken leaf teas with cheaper teas. If the tea is of high quality at the start of the CTC process, the final CTC tea will also be of good quality.

Drinking CTC Tea

The CTC method ensures that CTC tea has a consistent flavor from batch to batch. The most common type of CTC tea is Assam tea, which is a popular black tea. Assam tea is usually a deep ruby red with a rich, slightly bitter flavor. Other common black tea blends include English breakfast tea, Irish breakfast tea, and afternoon tea. Assam tea is a classic black tea used in masala chai. Masala chai, which literally means “spiced tea,” is made with milk, black tea, and spices.

Caffeine Level of CTC Tea

The CTC method is often used for most types of black tea. Black tea generally has a wide range of caffeine levels per cup, ranging from 50 to 90 milligrams of caffeine per cup. Many factors affect the amount of caffeine in a tea, including organic tea leaves, water temperature, and brewing time. Additionally, masala chai has less caffeine than a full cup of Assam tea. This is because masala chai is made with a blend of spices and milk (which do not contain caffeine).

Where to Buy Good CTC Tea?

Most black teas are considered CTC teas and can be purchased at any grocery store. If you are interested in the origin and details of a tea’s production, it is best to visit a specialty tea shop or visit our online tea shop to find the exact type of tea you are looking for.

There is a wide range of CTC teas available in commercial stores. These are blended teas and do not have the quality of good CTC tea.

Health Benefits of CTC Tea

CTC tea is the same as black tea and has many health benefits.

Rich in antioxidants – CTC tea is a rich source of antioxidants that can help prevent cancer. Antioxidants help kill cells that cause cancer without harming surrounding cells.

CTC tea keeps you hydrated

Helps in weight loss. Helps prevent fat from being absorbed into cells, which helps maintain your weight.

Helps lower blood pressure. Drinking two cups of black tea without milk reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Natural chemicals help reduce stress and help you overcome headaches

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