TEA GRADES

Grades of Tea

Tea grading is based on the size of the leaf and types of leaves included in the tea. Though leaf size is an important quality factor, it is not, by itself, a guarantee of quality.

Teas are often designated as OP or FOP. These designations are part of the grading system used for whole leaf black teas and refer to the leaf size and amount of tip in the tea. Pekoe means teas picked as 2 leaves and a bud. OP, or Orange Pekoe, is a full-leaf tea with no tip or buds. FOP, or Flowery Orange Pekoe, is a longer leaf than an OP and has some buds. Grading systems and terminology vary with tea type and country. The system is especially highly developed for Indian teas (see the following table). But regardless of where the tea comes from, the more whole and less broken the leaf is, and the more buds it contains, the higher the grade of tea.

BLACK TEA LEAF GRADES
P:    Peko smaller, shorter leaves than OP
OP:    Orange Pekoe long, thin, tightly rolled leaves
FOP:    Flowery Orange Pekoe.  longer leaf than an OP but not as tightly rolled
GFOP:    Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe
FOP: with some golden tips    
TGFOP: Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe
GFOP: with more golden tips
FTGOP:   Finest Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe
BOP:    Broken Orange Pekoe    OP leaves that are broken
FBOP:   Flowery Broken Orange Pekoe
FOP: leaves that are broken    

GREEN TEA GRADES
There is no uniform grading system for green teas, but the better quality green consist of a leaf and bud, then 2 leaves and a bud and so on. Some common green tea leaf terms are:
Gunpowder: also called pearl tea, young leaves and buds are rolled tightly into pellets that unfurl in the cup
Imperial: loosely rolled pellets made from older leaves
Young Hyson: young leaves rolled long and thin

 

Tea Grades Explained – Your Guide to Understanding Tea Quality

Alright, let’s clear something up. If you've ever looked at a tea label and seen a bunch of letters like "FTGFOP1" or words like "Silver Needle," you might've wondered if someone just made it up. Fair enough — it does look like a secret code.

But here's the thing: those letters actually mean something. And once you get the hang of it, you’ll understand a lot more about what’s in your cup.

So let’s break it all down — no fluff, no jargon.

First Off, What Even Are Tea Grades?

Tea grades are just a way of sorting tea leaves based on how big or whole they are after they’re processed. It’s kind of like how fruit gets sorted by size — same apple, just different shapes.

It doesn’t mean one tea is better than another. It just gives you a clue about the flavour, strength, and how it’ll brew.

Here’s the general idea:

1. Whole leaves = smoother, more subtle flavours
2. Broken leaves = stronger and quicker to brew
   
3. Fannings/dust = quick, bold, and often used in your standard supermarket tea bags
   

So next time you see a grade, think of it like the tea’s resume — telling you what to expect.

Let’s Talk About White Tea for a Second

Now, white tea doesn’t use those alphabet-soup grading codes like black tea does. Instead, it’s sorted more by style — and honestly, it’s kind of beautiful.

Here’s the quick breakdown:

Silver Needle (Bai Hao Yin Zhen)

This is the fancy stuff. It’s made from the youngest buds — and that’s it. Super light, really smooth, and kind of floral. Think of it as the champagne of white tea.

White Peony (Bai Mudan)

A bit more down-to-earth. It has both buds and young leaves, so it’s still gentle but with a little more body and character.

Shou Mei / Gong Mei

These are harvested later and use more mature leaves. They’re a bit stronger, slightly nutty, and usually more affordable too. Still lovely, just a different vibe.

So if you’re shopping for white tea and see those names, now you know what they mean.

Why Should You Even Care About Grades?

Good question.

1. Honestly, knowing tea grades just helps you shop smarter. Here’s why:
2. You’ll know if your tea is going to be strong or smooth
3. You’ll get what you actually enjoy drinking
4. You’ll spot a good value when you see it
5. You’ll stop picking tea based on just the packaging (we’ve all done it)
   
   

It’s not about snobbery — it’s about finding the kind of tea that makes you go “yes, this is my cup.”

A Quick Look at Black Tea Grades (Just Because You’ll See Them Everywhere)

This one's full of weird letters, so here’s a simple cheat sheet:

Looks fancy, right? But honestly, once you read it like this, it’s not so bad.

Quick Tips for Choosing the Right Tea

1. Want something soft and floral? Try Silver Needle white tea
2. Like a bit more body? Go with White Peony
3. Need a strong morning cup? Look at BOP black teas
4. Short on time? Fannings or dust grades brew fast (but expect less depth)
   

Final Sip

Tea grades aren’t some elite tea club code — they’re just labels to help you figure out what kind of experience you’re getting in that mug. Once you know how they work, picking a tea you’ll love gets way easier.

Whether you’re sipping a mellow white tea or going bold with a black blend, understanding grades gives you a bit more control over what you’re brewing — and that’s always a good thing.

Check out our white teas and black teas and see if you can spot the grades now that you're in the know.