The Guide to Ceylon Tea Grades

ceylon tea in a ceylon tea factory
  • BOP (Broken Orange Pekoe)– Delicate fragments of tea leaves, offering a brisk infusion.
  • BOPF (Broken Orange Pekoe Fannings)– Finely broken leaves, yielding a robust and bold brew, slightly larger than dust.
  • OP (Orange Pekoe)– Characterized by slightly smaller leaves, infusing a well-balanced cup with a touch of astringency.
  • FBOP (Flowery Broken Orange Pekoe)– A graceful blend of larger broken leaves, interwoven with some tips, producing a flavourful cup.
  • Pekoe– Twisted and coarse leaves, presenting a traditional and robust infusion.
  • Pekoe1– A compact version of Pekoe leaves, delivering a potent and invigorating steep.
  • OPA (Orange Pekoe ‘A’)– Distinguished by large, open leaves, crafting a bright and mellow tea experience.
  • OP1 (Orange Pekoe One)– Slender and wiry leaves, infusing a smooth cup with a touch of briskness.
  • BOP1 (Broken Orange Pekoe One)– Petite and wiry fragments, creating a brisk and vibrant infusion.
  • FBOP1 (Flowery Broken Orange Pekoe One)– Gracefully broken leaves with firmness and tips, resulting in an aromatic and full-bodied brew.
  • FBOPF (Flowery Broken Orange Pekoe Fannings)– Similar to BOP leaves but firm, with graceful tips, producing a well-rounded cup.
  • FBOPF1 (Flowery Broken Orange Pekoe Fannings One)– Slightly smaller than FBOPF, featuring firm, dark leaves and a hint of tips.
  • FBOPFSP (Flowery Broken Orange Pekoe Fannings Special)– An exquisite variation of FBOPF1, boasting superior tips and a luxurious, bold flavour.
  • FBOPFEXSP (Flowery Broken Orange Pekoe Fannings Extra Special)– Rich and refined, with prominent black leaves and exceptional leafy tips.
  • D (Dust)– Coarse granules, ideal for a swift and hearty steep, offering a straightforward infusion.
  • D1 (Dust 1)– The finest tea particles, ensuring a strong and robust brew, slightly smaller than Fannings leaves.
 

WHITE TEA

  • Silver Tips– Delicate and small, these unopened tea leaves are often referred to as “buds,” exhibiting a charming silver hue with a touch of white.
  • Golden Tips– Resembling the splendour of precious gold, these leaves showcase a radiant and luminous coloration, combined with a subtle white infusion.

 

CUT, TEAR, CURL TEA (CTC)

  • BPS (Broken Pekoe Special)– Uniquely curled tea leaf fragments, infusing into a distinctive and bold cup.
  • BP1 (Broken Pekoe 1)– Slightly smaller than BPS, these fragments contribute to a robust and captivating brew.
  • BPL (Broken Pekoe Leaf)– Uniform, intact tea leaf pieces that yield a well-balanced and satisfying infusion.
  • PF1 (Pekoe Fanning’s 1)– Resembling BP1 but with smaller pieces, crafting a potent and flavourful tea experience.
  • PD (Pekoe Dust)– The tiniest tea particles available, ensuring a rapid and intense steep, smaller than PF1 leaves.
 

OFF GRADES

  • BOP 1A– Broken Orange Pekoe one A– Characterized by its weightless, larger leaves.
  • BM– Broken Mix – Comprising smaller leaves compared to BOP 1A’s.
  • FNGS– Fanning’s broken leaves, slightly larger than dust.
  • FNGS 1– Fanning’s broken leaves, slightly larger than FNGS.
  • PFNGS– Pekoe Fanning’s broken leaves, slightly larger than dust.
  • PFNGS 1– Pekoe Fanning’s broken leaves, slightly larger than PFNGS.
  • BP– Broken Pekoe – Noted for its broken stems.
 

GREEN TEA

  • CH– Chunmee – Characterized by its curl twisted pieces, smaller than GP Sp.
  • GP1– Gun Powder 1 – Twisted and coarse, resembling Pekoe in a green colour.
  • GP2– Gun Powder 2 – Slightly larger than GP1, with a little more openness in the coarse leaves.
  • GP Sp– Gun Powder Special – Noted for its blooming curl twisted pieces, larger than CH.
  • GC– Green Curl – Opened coarse leaves with a darker color.
  • SW– Sowmee – Known for its even and neat opened pieces.
  • Sencha– Consists of tiny dark green needle-shaped pieces.
  • GTFF– Green Tea Flowery Fanning’s – Similar to the BOPF, with firm leaves and green color, including little tips.
  • GTFF1– Green Tea Flowery Fanning’s 1 – Slightly bigger than GTFF, maintaining a similar appearance.
  • GRP– Green Tea Powder – A powdered tea, representing the final stage of the manufacturing process.

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