Grading of Ceylon Tea

The grade names which follow are an indication of size and/or appearance 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 Briefly, however, Ceylon teas are divided into two groups: 1) the leaf grades such as were originally made by the ceylon pioneers and 2) the smaller Broken grades which are in style today.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 delicate tasting tea with a character synonymous with this style of manufacture.