CTC
定義
Crush, Tear, Curl — a mechanized processing method that produces small, uniform granules designed for strong, quick-brewing tea. CTC dominates global production, especially for tea bags and chai.
詳細
Developed in 1930 by William McKercher, CTC processing uses serrated rollers to crush, tear, and curl withered leaves into tight, pellet-like granules. This method maximizes surface area, enabling rapid extraction of color, strength, and body within two to three minutes. CTC accounts for over 70% of global black tea production, particularly in India (Assam), Kenya, and Sri Lanka. The granules brew a deep, robust liquor ideal for milk tea and masala chai. While CTC sacrifices the nuanced complexity of orthodox whole-leaf processing, it delivers consistent strength, making it the backbone of commercial tea blending. Kenya's CTC production is the world's most efficient, with modern factories processing fresh leaf within hours of plucking.