Crush, Tear and Curl (CTC)

A phrase that refers to manufacturing process used to create tea leaves that impart a stronger infusion, producing a coloury fast liquoring tea. Instead of the leaves being rolled, they are passed through a series of cylindrical rollers with hundreds of small sharp "teeth" that Crush, Tear, and Curl. The process is used to produce the small leaf grades required for teabags. However, the CTC process can diminish the delicate natural flavours of tea.