If you have browsed our garden mark pages and seen grade names like BP1, BOP, or Orthodox scattered across the descriptions, you may have wondered what any of it actually means — and whether it changes what ends up in your cup. It does, quite significantly.
Here is a plain-language breakdown of the two processing methods behind Rwanda Mountain Tea’s range, and how to choose between them.
What CTC Means and Why It Dominates Tea Bags
CTC stands for Crush, Tear, Curl, a mechanical process introduced in 1931 by Sir William McKercher that transformed industrial tea production. Fresh tea leaves are fed through cylindrical rollers with serrated teeth that crush, tear, and curl them into small, dense pellets in a matter of hours.
Rather than the orthodox method of withering, rolling, oxidising and firing tea leaves, the CTC process sends leaves through cylindrical rollers that crush, tear, and curl them into tiny, hard green pellets. The pellets then oxidise rapidly, turning dark brown within roughly an hour — producing a tea with extraordinary briskness and consistency. Medium
The result: a bold, malty cup that brews fast, goes well with milk, and delivers the same flavour every time. That consistency is exactly why CTC is the backbone of the global tea bag market.
At Rwanda Mountain Tea, our CTC grades, BP1 (Broken Pekoe), PF1 (Pekoe Fannings), and PD (Pekoe Dust), come primarily from our Gatare, Gisakura, and Kitabi gardens. These grades are what you will find in much of the bulk export market, including through the Mombasa Tea Auction.
What Orthodox Processing Actually Means
Orthodox tea follows the traditional route: hand-plucking, withering, careful rolling, controlled oxidation, and drying, each step managed by trained tea professionals to draw the best out of each specific leaf batch.
In orthodox processing, every batch of plucked leaves is treated to a precise amount of withering, rolling, and oxidation determined by trained tea professionals to extract the best flavours from the leaves. Great care is taken in rolling and handling the leaves because they are delicate and susceptible to damage. Harney & Sons
The leaf stays largely intact. The flavour is layered, nuanced floral notes, brightness, a clean finish. Orthodox teas are prized in specialty retail markets in Europe, Japan, and the Gulf precisely because no two batches are identical.
At RMT, our certified organic Rutsiro garden produces Orthodox grades including BOP1 (Broken Orange Pekoe), FBOP (Flowery BOP), and Pekoe. Rutsiro’s Orthodox teas carry ECOCERT organic certification and comply with both European Organic Standards and US NOP which is why Rutsiro tea was recently served at the 2026 London Tea Trade Dinner at the Savoy Hotel, in front of buyers from Twinings, Ahmad Tea, and Taylors of Harrogate.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| CTC | Orthodox | |
|---|---|---|
| Processing | Machine (2–3 hours) | Handcrafted (24+ hours) |
| Leaf form | Small pellets / granules | Whole or large leaf pieces |
| Flavour | Bold, malty, consistent | Complex, layered, nuanced |
| Best brewed | With milk and sugar | Straight or with citrus |
| Best for | Tea bags, blending, chai | Specialty retail, loose leaf |
| RMT grades | BP1, PF1, PD | BOP1, FBOP, Pekoe, OP |
| RMT gardens | Gatare, Gisakura, Kitabi | Rutsiro (organic) |
Which Should You Choose?
If you want a strong everyday cup bold, reliable, brews well with milk go with a CTC grade from one of our classic gardens. Browse our bulk tea options.
If you want something to drink slowly and taste properly, a cup that changes with the season, the garden, and the harvest — Rwanda Orthodox from Rutsiro is what specialty buyers come to us for. Explore our retail range.
If you are a buyer or importer trying to understand which grade fits your market: UK and Pakistan lean strongly toward CTC for tea bags; specialty retailers in Europe and the Gulf are increasingly demanding Orthodox traceable-origin tea. The growing demand for certified sustainable tea is accelerating that shift.
A Note on Health
Research comparing the two methods found that CTC green tea infusions contained higher levels of total polyphenols, catechins, and theanine than orthodox infusions — while sensory evaluation preferred the orthodox processing mode. In practice, both deliver meaningful health benefits when brewed correctly. The choice is more about your palate and your use case than about which one is “healthier.” Teabox
For a deeper look at what the science says about Rwandan mountain tea and health, read our article on health benefits of Rwandan mountain tea.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does CTC stand for in tea? CTC stands for Crush, Tear, Curl a mechanical process that turns tea leaves into small, uniform pellets. It produces a strong, consistent brew ideal for tea bags and chai.
Is Orthodox tea better than CTC? They serve different purposes. Orthodox tea offers more flavour complexity and is favoured in specialty markets. CTC delivers strength, consistency, and value it is the world’s most widely consumed tea style. Neither is universally “better.”
What Rwanda Mountain Tea grades are Orthodox? RMT’s Orthodox grades come primarily from Rutsiro Organic Garden and include BOP1, FBOP, OP, and Pekoe grades.
Can I visit the gardens that produce these teas? Yes. Rwanda Mountain Tea welcomes garden visits across all eight estates. Book your visit here.
Where can I buy Rwanda Mountain Tea online? Retail orders are available through our shop. For bulk and commercial orders, visit our commercial page.
