t h e   a r t  o f   t e a

Grading of Ceylon Tea

The grade names which follow are an indication of size and/or appearence of Ceylon Teas and NOT of its quality. The Tea Research Institute of Ceylon points out that "there is a lack of uniformity in the market grades today which makes it difficult to describe them with any accuracy." Briefly, however, Ceylon teas are divided into two groups: 1) the leaf grades such as were originally made by the ceylon pioneers and 2) the smaller Broken grades which are in style today.

Leaf grades are usually divided into :

Orange Pekoe ( O.P )
Pekoe ( Pek. )
Souchong ( Sou. )

Broken grades are divided into :

Broken Orange Pekoe ( B.O.P. )
Broken Orange Pekoe Fannings ( B.O.P.F )
Dust ( D. )
Organic Tea

The grades may be described as follows :

	OPA Orange Pekoe A The largest whole leaf wiry tea. A delicate brew that varies in taste, according to different elevations.
	OP Orange Pekoe A whole leaf, well twisted tea. A delicate brew that varies in taste according to different districts.
	OP 1 Orange Pekoe 1 A well twisted leaf tea, generally from the low country region.
	BOP 1 Broken Orange Pekoe 1 A well twisted semi-leaf tea generally from the low country, with a mild malty taste.
	Pekoe A curly leaf style giving a light cup and delicate taste.
	FBOP Flowery Broken Orange Pekoe A semi- leaf tea with some tip. Has a mellow flavoury cup.
	FBOPF Ex.Sp Flowery Broken Orange Pekoe Fanning Extra Special A whole leaf tea with an abundance of long tips. An exquisite mildly caramel sweet liquor.
	FBPOF 1 Flowery Broken Orange Pekoe Fanning 1 A typical low country semi-leaf tippy tea with a full bodied sweet brew.
	BOP Broken Orange Pekoe A popular leaf size, which helps to bring out a good balance of taste and strength.
	BOPF Broken Orange Pekoe Fannings A particle smaller than BOP, popular in the higher elevations. Taste stronger than BOP whilst retaining all other characteristics.
	Dust 1 Fine granular particles that bring out optimum strength and body, ideal for commercial brewing.
	BP 1 Broken Pekoe 1 The larger leaf of CTC (Crush, Tear & Curl) type manufacture with bold spherical particles giving a full bodied bright tea.
	PF 1 Pekoe Fannings 1 A smaller size leaf of CTC (Crush, Tear & Curl) type manufacture giving a strong tasting tea. Ideal for tea bags.
	PD Pekoe Dust Smaller size leaf of the CTC (Crush, Tear & Curl) type manufacture, giving & strong taste with more cup colour.
	Silver Tips The finest buds from teas of a special colour which turn velvety silver when dried. A very delicate fragrant brew of mystical medicinal properties.
	Golden Tips The finest buds of a special clone, which turns velvetly Gold due to coating of juices. A very delicate fragrant brew, of mystical medicinal properties.
	Gun Powder This Green tea has been prepared using the Chinese pan heating process. A strong tasting tea with its unique Ceylon fragrance.
	Sencha This Green tea has been prepared using the Japanese steaming process. A dedlicate tasting tea with a character synonymous with this style of manufacture.