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Black tea · Crush, tear, curl

Assam CTC

CTC, mamri tea

8.0/10 editor's score

Assam tea made by crush, tear, curl: leaves cut into small hard pellets for a fast, dark brew. The first CTC machine ran in Assam in 1930.

StrongChaiAssam

↓ Jump to brew guide About this tea Compare

Based on published sources, not yet tasted.

What you need

250 ml water100°C

Steep 2:002 steeps

LiquorDeep red-brown

Served inTeapot and cup

At a glance

Assam tea made by crush, tear, curl: leaves cut into small hard pellets for a fast, dark brew.

CaffeineHigh~50 to 80 mg, our estimate

MilkAdd milk if you like.

Beginner fit9.0 / 10From the editor's score

HarvestMarch to NovemberSpring.

Pairs withMasala chai, Breakfast, BiscuitsLess good with delicate fish

Grown atAt or near sea levelAssam, Brahmaputra valley

Served inTeapot and cupA general choice

About Assam CTC

What sources say about the taste

Sources say CTC gives a strong liquor, generic flavour and mild bitterness ¹.

01 · Aroma

First sip

Lift the cup and smell before you drink.

02 · Taste

Middle

Let it sit on the tongue for a moment.

03 · Finish

Finish

What stays after you swallow.

Hover or tap a noteBigger image and more dots mean a stronger note.

Notes and intensities are an editor's summary of published tasting notes, not our own tasting.

Where it grows

First machine: 1930, Amgoorie Tea Garden, Assam ¹
India: Over 80% of production is CTC ¹
Use: Tea bags and masala chai
Cup: Rich red-brown when boiled ¹

History and culture

CTC was brought into service in 1930 under Sir William McKercher ¹.

It spread fast from 1950, in India and Africa ¹.

Editor's score

8.0/10

Weighted across six criteria: flavour 30%, heritage 20%, availability 15%, value 15%, beginners 10%, versatility 10%.

Based on published sources, not yet tasted. Rates the tea style, not a brand. How we score →

Taste profile and caffeine

Profile is an editor's summary of published tasting notes, not a lab measurement or our own tasting.

Caffeine

Brewed coffee~95 mg

Assam CTC~50 to 80 mg

Black tea (average)~47 mg

Green tea (average)~28 mg

Our estimate. Small particles infuse fast. Per 8 fl oz (240 ml) cup. Coffee and tea averages from Mayo Clinic^C.

Harvest calendar

Assam picks most of the year. Tap a month or a season.

Cultivars and plant

C. sinensis var. assamica ².

How it is made

01Withering

Leaves softened.

02CTC

Rollers with sharp teeth crush, tear and curl ¹.

03Oxidation

Full.

04Drying

Dried into pellets ¹.

Dry leaf and liquor

**Dry leaf**Small, hard, round dark granules.

LiquorDeep red-brown ¹.

After steeping

Wet leafFine dark particles.

The colour swatch is an approximate guide, not a photograph.

Food pairings and storage

Works well

Masala chai
Breakfast
Biscuits

Best avoided

Delicate fish

Pairings are general suggestions from the tea's style, not tested matches.

Storage

Airtight, opaque tin or pouch, away from light, heat, moisture and strong smells.
Keep it out of the fridge unless fully sealed, to avoid condensation.
Most loose tea is at its best within a year. Note the harvest date on the tin.

Grades and fakes

CTC grades are set by particle size.

How to spot a poor or fake one

Over 80% of Indian tea is CTC ¹.
Great for chai, less for plain sipping.

FAQ

CTC or orthodox?

CTC is quicker and stronger; orthodox is whole leaf with more nuance ¹.

Find it inBlack teas Teas from India AssamStrongChaiAssam

Sources

Wikipedia, "Crush, tear, curl". en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crush,_tear,_curl
Wikipedia, "Assam tea". en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assam_tea
Mayo Clinic, "Caffeine content for coffee, tea, soda and more". www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/caffeine/art-20049372

Scores and content updated 30 Oct 2026.