Tea Grading |
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Grading tea leaves is complicated and is done differently in different countries. The most extensive grading is found in black teas, followed by green teas. The most basic or the first grade of black tea produced is called OP or Orange Pekoe (say peck-oh). Pekoe is derived from the Chinese word “pak-Ho” meaning “hair” or “down” relating to the light white down on the bud leaves. One explanation for the “Orange” half of the name is that the Chinese sometimes used Orange blossoms to flavor these leaves. Another suggests that it is a remaining reference to the Netherlands House of Orange, a powerful entity in the early days of tea trading. Either way, today Orange Pekoe describes leaves, specifically the best, most tender leaves plucked from the tips of the plant’s young shoots. Black tea is classified into four different categories: WHOLE LEAF, BROKEN LEAF, FANNINGS and DUST. |
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WHOLE LEAF |
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FLOWERY ORANGE PEKOE
Consists of fine, tender, young leaves rolled with a certain proportion of “tips.” These tips, being the very ends of the bud’s leaves, constitute a guarantee of quality. |
(FOP) |
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GOLDEN FLOWERY ORANGE PEKOE
FOP with “golden tips” (fine tips of the golden yellow bud’s leaves) |
(GFOP) |
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TIPPY GOLDEN FLOWERY ORANGE PEKOE
FOP with lots of “golden tips” |
(TGFOP) |
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FINEST TIPPY GOLDEN FLOWERY ORANGE PEKOE
Exceptional quality FOP |
(FTGFOP) |
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ORANGE PEKOE
Long, pointed leaves (larger than FOP) rolled lengthwise. Harvested when the terminal buds open into leaf. Orange Pekoe rarely contains “tips.”
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(OP) |
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PEKOE
Shorter, less fine leaves without “tips”. |
(P) |
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FLOWERY PEKOE
Leaves specially rolled into ball shape. |
(FP) |
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PEKOE SOUCHONG
Shorter, coarser leaves. |
(PS) |
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SOUCHONG
Large leaves rolled lengthwise. Often used for China smoked teas. |
(S) |
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EXPERTS ALSO ADD “1” TO DENOTE TOP QUALITY AFTER A LEAF DESIGNATION; FOR EXAMPLE: F.T.G.F.O.P. 1, O.P. 1, S 1 etc. |
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BROKEN LEAF |
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BROKEN ORANGE PEKOE
GOLDEN BROKEN ORANGE PEKOE (GBOP)
FLOWERY BROKEN ORANGE PEKOE (FBOP)
TIPPY GOLDEN BROKEN ORANGE PEKOE (TGBOP)
GOLDEN FLOWERY BROKEN ORANGE PEKOE (GFBOP)
TIPPY GOLDEN FLOWERY BROKEN ORANGE PEKOE (TGFBOP) |
(BOP) |
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FANNINGS
Made from smaller, flat pieces of broken orange pekoe and used to make quick-brewing, strongly flavored, robust teas with good color. |
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BROKEN ORANGE PEKOE FANNINGS |
(BOPF) |
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DUST
Tiny bits of broken leaf used to brew strong tea quickly, popular for tea bags. |
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BROKEN ORANGE PEKOE DUST |
(BOPD) |
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PEKOE DUST |
(PD) |
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RED DUST |
(RD) |
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SUPER RED DUST |
(SRD) |
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FINE DUST |
(FD) |
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SUPER FINE DUST |
(SFD) |
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GOLDEN DUST |
(GD) |
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