Black tea CTC (karak base)

Energy: ~1 kcal / 100 ml (as brewed, unsweetened) (planning figure — the product label is the final reference)

Shelf life: Sealed: 1–2 years stored well; keeps its punch longer than delicate leaf grades.

Storage: Opaque, airtight, dry, away from light and strong odours.

• The karak base — CTC is built to survive boiling with milk, sugar and spices
• Hotel-style strong milk tea
• Bold iced-tea bases where brisk strength matters more than nuance

Boil hard with water and cardamom, then milk and sugar per the karak SOP — this is where CTC belongs; a delicate leaf tea would turn harsh and flat under the same boil.

About 20 mg caffeine per 100 ml brewed; tea tannins reduce iron absorption — worth knowing for guests who drink karak with every meal.

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