While browsing in a local grocery store, I noticed a display of interesting tea boxes. I loved the design on the box, and noticed that the proceeds provide jobs for Kenyan women and pay school fees for orphans. How could I say no?
The leaves are tiny, dark, and pellet-like. Not what I was expecting, but I didn't want to judge on just the leaf appearance alone. The leaves are processed using the cut, tear and curl (CTC) process, where leaves crushed to equal pieces.This process uses a short fermentation period, which yields a strong brew. The leaves have a lovely sweet cocoa scent.
There is an interview with the company's founder Sara Holby here. It gives more information about the tea and the company. It is an interesting read.
This tea was named a 2011 North American Tea Champion for CTC Black Tea at the World Tea Expo. Ajiri is a basic, tasty tea with a good cause. So pick some up if you see it in your area!
There definitely is a huge range of qualities among CTC teas! I would not assume that a tea is better just because it is "orthodox" or hand-processed, rather than CTC or mechanically processed, even if there does tend to be a trend of the best artisan teas being produced according to orthodox methods.
ReplyDeleteCrush, tear, frizz (every now and then reduce, tear, curl) is a technique regarding era fuscous tea among as the ... Today, close to fuscous teas born use the Black CTC Tea method and the closely associated rotovane enthusiast manufacture.
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