Grading and Quality Testing Tea

Pure Ceylon Tea

Sri Lanka has carved its place as a distinguished producer of tea, with a fascinating spectrum of tea grades that embody its diverse landscapes and intricate cultivation methods. From the lush emerald hills to the sun-kissed valleys, each grade of tea harvested tells a unique story of meticulous craftsmanship and natural elegance. As a testament to its dedication to quality, Sri Lanka’s pure Ceylon tea grades offer an enchanting journey through a world of flavors, aromas, and traditions, captivating tea enthusiasts around the globe.

List of tea grades

a comprehensive list of

The main grades of black tea

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 flavorful 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 flavor.
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 splendor 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 flavorful 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 color.
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.