The Truth Behind “Full Leaf Tea”: What’s in Your Cup?

If you’ve browsed a tea website or read about different blends, you’ve probably seen terms like CTC, orthodox, fanning, or dust. But what do they actually mean  and how do they affect your cup of McEntee’s Irish tea?

At McEntee’s Tea, we believe that understanding how your tea is produced is the first step toward truly appreciating its flavour and quality. Let’s explore how each method contributes to the taste and character of your tea and why true full leaf tea is far rarer than it used to be.

What Is Full Leaf Tea?

Traditionally, full leaf tea refers to whole, unbroken leaves that are hand-rolled and dried to preserve their natural shape. This tea brews slowly, developing a refined, layered flavour and aroma.

However, in modern large-scale tea production, true full leaf teas are uncommon. Even teas labelled “full leaf” are often slightly broken by mechanical rollers or during transport. Today, the term “full leaf” often represents the style and care taken in production, rather than a literal whole leaf.

CTC Tea: The Chopped Leaf Revolution

CTC, short for Crush, Tear, Curl, is one of the most popular methods of tea production. The leaves are passed through rollers fitted with sharp teeth, which crush, tear, and curl them into small, uniform pellets, hence the term chopped leaf.

This method was developed to meet the growing demand for quick-brewing, strong tea that could stand up to milk and sugar. CTC teas are robust, richly coloured, and full-bodied, exactly what Irish tea drinkers love in a hearty, satisfying cup.

When you see CTC on a label, it means you’re getting that classic brisk strength that defines Ireland’s favourite tea.

Fanning and Dust: The Finest Grades for Fast Brewing

Open a teabag and you’ll often find fine tea particles, known as fanning or dust. These are the smallest grades of tea produced during the sorting of CTC teas.

• Fanning consists of small, even particles that brew quickly and deliver a rich, full-bodied cup.

• Dust, even finer, brews the fastest and produces a darker, stronger infusion.

Why Fanning Is the McEntee’s Choice

At McEntee’s Tea, our teabags are filled with 100% high-quality fanning-grade CTC teas sourced from the finest highland gardens. Each teabag contains a carefully crafted blend of premium teas, our Irish Breakfast Blend combines Pekoe Fanning One and Broken Orange Pekoe Fanning grades.

These teas are grown in regions ranging from 4,000 to 6,400 feet in elevation, where cooler climates and rich soils produce leaves with exceptional depth and character.

This is no ordinary teabag, it’s a complex, highland blend that delivers the depth, strength, and smoothness that define true Irish tea. This careful combination achieves the depth, smoothness, and consistent quality of flavour expected in every McEntee’s cup.

Fanning allows for quick infusion while maintaining the bold, rounded flavour Irish tea drinkers love, a true balance of strength and refinement.

How Each Method Shapes Flavour

Each production method brings its own character to your cup:

• Full Leaf Tea: Smooth, layered flavour with delicate aroma.

• CTC Leaf: Strong, brisk, and perfect with milk, the heart of Irish tea tradition.

• Fanning: Fast-brewing and full-bodied, offering premium flavour in teabags.

While full leaf teas sound luxurious, most Irish tea lovers prefer the strength, colour, and balance that CTC and fine fanning teas deliver: practical, flavourful, and true to the Irish tea experience.

The McEntee’s Difference

At McEntee’s Tea, we combine generations of Irish tea tradition with expert blending and careful sourcing. All our teas are produced from a combination the finest highland and lowland gardens using the CTC method, ensuring the perfect harmony of strength, depth, and smoothness in every cup.

Whether you enjoy loose leaf tea or our biodegradable teabags, each McEntee’s blend captures the rich heritage of Irish tea: robust, aromatic, and full of warmth.