CTC Black Tea—short for Crush, Tear, Curl—is one of the most widely produced and consumed types of black tea in the world. Renowned for its strong flavor, bold color, and rapid infusion, CTC black tea is a staple in mass-market tea bags and industrial tea products. At Nam Son Group, a leading tea producer in Vietnam, we specialize in high-quality CTC black tea tailored for both domestic and export markets.
This article explores the unique processing methods of CTC black tea and its diverse industrial applications.
What Is CTC Black Tea?
CTC Black Tea is produced using a mechanical process that crushes, tears, and curls the tea leaves into small, uniform granules. This method is designed to maximize oxidation and surface area, resulting in a brisk, full-bodied brew with strong color and flavor. It differs from orthodox black tea, which involves hand-rolling or gently machine-rolling whole leaves.
CTC black tea is especially popular in countries like India, the UK, and Africa, where strong tea is commonly served with milk and sugar.
The CTC Processing Method
The production of CTC black tea follows several key steps:
- Withering – Fresh tea leaves are spread out to reduce moisture content and prepare them for rolling.
- CTC Rolling – Leaves are passed through cylindrical rollers equipped with sharp teeth. The machine:
- Crushes the leaves,
- Tears them into smaller pieces,
- Curls them into pellet-like shapes.
- Oxidation (Fermentation) – The crushed leaves are left to oxidize in a controlled environment. This stage develops the tea’s distinctive black color and strong flavor.
- Drying – The oxidized leaves are dried to halt the fermentation process and stabilize the flavor.
- Sorting & Grading – The finished tea is graded into categories like BP (Broken Pekoe), BOP (Broken Orange Pekoe), and PF (Pekoe Fannings), depending on size and intended use.
Flavor Profile & Brewing Characteristics
CTC black tea is known for:
- Bold, brisk flavor
- Deep reddish-brown liquor
- Quick infusion
- Excellent blending ability
Its strength makes it ideal for masala chai, milk tea, and iced tea, where a pronounced flavor is required to complement other ingredients.
Industrial Applications of CTC Black Tea
CTC black tea plays a vital role in various sectors:
- Tea Bags – Its small particle size and fast brewing make it ideal for commercial tea bags.
- Instant Tea – CTC granules are often used to produce spray-dried or freeze-dried instant tea powders.
- Bottled RTD (Ready-To-Drink) Beverages – Strong brews from CTC tea are used in bottled iced teas and flavored tea drinks.
- Tea Blending – Due to its strong base, CTC tea is used in blends with herbs, spices, and flavorings.
- Food Industry – Used as a flavor base in culinary applications, such as tea-flavored desserts or sauces.
CTC Tea from Nam Son Group
At Nam Son Group, we produce premium CTC black tea using modern equipment and quality-controlled processes. Whether you’re sourcing for tea bags, blends, or beverage manufacturing, our CTC tea delivers consistency, flavor, and value at scale.
We offer customized solutions including bulk packaging, OEM services, and tailored blends for global partners.
Conclusion
CTC black tea remains a cornerstone of the global tea industry, offering a cost-effective, high-yield solution for both traditional and modern tea products. With expertise and innovation, Nam Son Group is proud to be a trusted supplier of CTC black tea—serving the evolving needs of industrial buyers, private labels, and tea brands worldwide.