Whole Leaf Tea Grades Explained

Below is a brief synopsis of the terminology used in describing leaf tea grades. We will go into further detail and greater explanation in due course.

The word ‘pekoe’ comes from the Chinese word pek-ho or baihao meaning the white downy hairs on the underside of the leaves of certain varieties of tea bush.

‘Orange’ is used as a term that denotes quality because of Holland’s House of Orange, the royal family of the first European country to import tea and thus a name connected with expensive, high quality tea.

And so to the gradings:

Special Finest Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe (SFTGFOP) – the very best whole leaf quality
Finest Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe (FTGFOP) – exceptionally high quality leaf
Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe (TGFOP) – Flowery Orange Pekoe with a good proportion of tips
Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe (GFOP) – Flowery Orange Pekoe with tips
Orange Pekoe (OP) – long pointed leaves that have been harvested when the end buds are opening into leaves
Pekoe (P) – shorter, coarser leaves than Orange Pekoe
Flowery Pekoe (FP) – leaves that have been rolled lengthwise; shorter, coarser pieces than Orange Pekoe
Pekoe Souchong (PS ) – shorter, coarser leaves than Pekoe

Broken Leaf Grades

The following Broken leaf grades refer to the broken pieces of leaf from the above grades:

Tippy Golden Broken Orange Pekoe (TGBOP)
Tippy Flowery Broken Orange Pekoe (TFBOP)
Tippy Golden Flowery Broken Orange Pekoe (TGFBOP)
Golden Broken Orange Pekoe (GBOP)
Flowery Broken Orange Pekoe (FBOP)
Broken Pekoe Souchong (BPS)
BP (Broken Pekoe)

Fannings

Fannings are the finest siftings after the larger whole leaf and broken grades have been removed

Pekoe Fannings (PF)
Broken Orange Pekoe Fannings (BOPF)

As mentioned above, we will go through each individual grade in greater depth very soon!