How does CTC black tea brewing compare to using a coffee maker?

CTC black tea takes its name from crush, tear, and curl, the steps that turn leaves into uniform granules between cylindrical rollers. The process was invented in 1931 by Sir William McKel, manager of the Amguri Tea Estate in Assam, and by 1950 it had spread across India and Africa. Today CTC is among the most widely consumed teas, valued for its malty aroma and full body.

Amguri sits on the south bank of the Brahmaputra River next to Nagaland and is owned by Goodricke Group Limited. Its name combines Aam, Hindi for mango, and Guri, the mango tree's root. High-quality Assam CTC brews a golden cup once milk is added, and the science of sorting and grading decides how consistently that flavor repeats from one batch to the next, much as grind and grade affect coffee, whether you learn how to prepare coffee in a coffee maker or brew tea by hand.

CTC black tea is one of the most widely consumed teas in the world, and its name comes from the processing steps of crushing, tearing, and curling. This tea is most famous when produced in Assam, with a malty aroma and a rich mouthfeel, and the liquor turns golden yellow after milk is added. This article will walk you through the invention history of the CTC process, the origins of the Amguri Tea Estate, classic applications such as masala tea, and the science behind tea sorting and grading. Whether you drink it daily or want to understand CTC tea more deeply, you can gain practical information from it, and Front Street Coffee will also recommend products worth trying.

CTC tea — where does this name come from, and what is its history?

Its name comes from the three processes of Crush, Tear, and Curl. In this process, cylindrical rollers are used to cut the tea leaves into uniform granules.

What does this tea taste like?

High-quality Assam CTC tea has a malty flavor, a full and powerful body, and a mellow taste. After milk is added, the liquor takes on a golden color.

The history of tea — India's generous gift to tea lovers

Colonel James Buckingham was born on March 23, 1843, the son of the late Reverend J. Buckingham of Devonshire. He established the Amguri tea industry in Assam.

In 1931, Sir William McKel, then manager of the Amguri Tea Estate, invented the CTC tea production process. By 1950, this invention had spread throughout India and Africa, leaving a profound impact on the tea industry.

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

About the Amguri Tea Estate

The name of this tea estate is a combination of two words: "Aam" means mango in Hindi, while "Guri" refers to the root of the mango tree. Legend has it that the area was once covered with mango trees. The tea garden is located on the south bank of the Brahmaputra River, adjacent to Nagaland.

The Goodricke Group Limited owns this tea estate, and this estate is regarded as the jewel in the group's crown. The CTC tea produced by the Amguri Tea Estate is considered the best in Assam and is favored by specialty shops in India and overseas.

Would you like a cup of tea?

Every morning, we are accustomed to enjoying a perfect cup of tea, and most CTC teas have fairly consistent flavor. The finest CTC tea comes from Assam, with a bright color and a malty aroma. Many tea companies and blenders use Assam CTC tea as the base for breakfast tea blends, such as English breakfast and Irish breakfast.

Indian masala tea

CTC tea is the most popular tea drink in India; in fact, it is the base of the famous masala tea.

Masala tea is the most widely known tea drink in India and is prepared with CTC tea as its base; it is often called spiced tea, mixed spice tea, or spicy tea.

There are also ginger tea, cardamom tea, and other spiced teas that likewise use CTC tea as an ingredient. These teas are usually drunk with milk and sugar.

Which regions produce tea?

The regions that produce CTC tea include Assam, Terai, Dooars, and South India. Assam and Dooars produce top-quality CTC tea, and many local tea gardens are highly sought after for their CTC tea.

Understanding the production process of CTC tea leaves

In the production process of a tea factory, the second-to-last step is the sorting process. To understand the logic behind tea grading, it is necessary to understand this process in depth. In this step, tea leaves are divided into different grades.

What exactly is a sorting machine?

Simply put, it is a machine equipped with 8 to 10 trays, which screens and classifies tea leaves through each layer of trays. Each tray in the sorting machine has mesh holes through which the tea leaves pass. The number of holes per square inch determines the grade of the tea.

Front Street recommendation: If you want to taste authentic Assam CTC black tea, Front Street's Assam CTC is a good choice. It is suitable for brewing directly or mixing with milk, and it is also suitable as the base for masala tea.

The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.