There are two primary methods of tea production: Orthodox and CTC. Each method produces a different final tea product:
Orthodox. This method focuses on preserving the integrity of the tea leaf throughout the production process. It requires a lot of human intervention. Orthodox teas are known for their complex flavor and delicate make.
CTC. This method is faster and produces a standard quality of tea. It involves feeding fresh, whole leaves into machines that crush, tear, and curl them. CTC teas are generic tasting and have a strong, dark liquor with a bitter taste.
Step 1. Plucking. Picking 2 tea leaves and bud. The fresh tea leaves arrive at the factory.
Step 2. Withering. The leaves are then placed in the trough for withering by which water is extracted from the leaves to ensure a perfect end product.
Step 3. Rolling. Rollers are charged after withering by which process pressure is applied to the leaf in a rolling motion. The leaves are then passed through the rotavane machines 3 times consequently, remove low quality tea leaves
Step 4. Fermentation. Leaves are fermented.
Step 5. Drying. Leaves are then passed through the dryer.
Step 6. Grading. Finally, dried leaves are sorted and graded.
BENEFITS OF ORTHODOX MANUFACTURING PROCESS
- Higher Antioxidant Content: Orthodox manufactured Ceylon black tea has a higher level of antioxidants compared to CTC manufactured tea.
- Multi-Layered Flavors: Orthodox manufactured Ceylon black tea has multi-layered flavors, unlike CTC tea, which tends to be stronger and potentially more bitter. Orthodox teas are usually higher quality and less likely to be bitter due to the care taken in harvesting and processing.
- Better Quality: Orthodox manufactured Ceylon black tea is of higher quality than CTC tea. Orthodox teas are loose tea leaves produced using traditional methods, whereas CTC tea requires more advanced methods that involve breaking down tea leaves into smaller particles.
- More Subtle Flavors: Orthodox manufactured Ceylon black tea has more subtle flavors compared to CTC tea, making it more appealing to those who prefer a milder taste.
- Larger Leaves: Orthodox manufactured Ceylon black tea has larger leaves compared to CTC tea, which has smaller particles. The larger leaves of Orthodox tea offer a larger surface area for brewing, resulting in a richer and more complex flavor.
- Preserves Freshness: Orthodox manufactured Ceylon black tea is processed near the plantation to preserve freshness and achieve the best quality possible.