Tea leaf grades: What do OP, BOP, FOP and the like mean?

In tea, leaf grades refer to the size and appearance of the tea leaves. They indicate, for example, whether the tea is a leaf tea or a broken tea, but they are not automatically an indication of the tea’s quality. Terms and abbreviations may also vary depending on the growing region and plantation.
Small-leaved broken teas, which are crushed during repeated rolling, are naturally very economical. The names given to the grades are often very imaginative and even vary from plantation to plantation. They always refer to leaf size and appearance and only partly to the flavour profile (Flowery = floral).
The quality grading of the teas on offer is always determined during tasting. Below are the main grades for the majority of the teas we offer:

What is a leaf grade in tea, and what leaf sizes are there?

The leaf grade primarily describes the size and texture of the tea leaves following processing. A basic distinction is made between whole-leaf teas and broken teas. In addition, there are finer classifications, which are designated by abbreviations such as OP, FOP or BOP. These designations may vary depending on the origin and plantation. Some parts of the names also describe specific characteristics of the leaf – for example, ‘Flowery’ refers to a floral flavour. However, it is not possible to make a general statement about the quality of a tea based solely on the leaf grade.

How can you tell OP, FOP, BOP and the like apart just by looking at them?

The distinctive characteristics of the various grades of tea leaves are particularly evident when compared side by side: leaf size and structure, as well as visible tips, define the appearance of each grade:

Difficulties in determining sheet sizes and specific examples

For newcomers, the abbreviations can be confusing at first: for example, the ‘F’ can stand for ‘Flowery’, ‘Finest’ or ‘Fannings’. The meaning of the letter depends on its position within the abbreviation, the other letters it is combined with, and the leaf size or grade to which the tea is assigned.

LEAF TEA

• FOP: Flowery Orange Pekoe
  
In the case of Darjeelings, also Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe = GFOP and Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe = TGFOP. This refers to a thin, wiry leaf with ‘tips’. A ‘tip’ refers to the visible, gold- or silver-coloured leaf tips (buds), which contain fewer tannins and therefore do not darken during fermentation. They are an indication that young tea leaves have been used, but are not always a sign of exceptional quality.
• OP: Orange Pekoe
  
A long, wiry leaf, larger than FOP. The original meaning of the term has been lost. ‘Orange’ refers to the Dutch word ‘Oranje’, which means ‘royal’.
• P & FP: Pekoe & Flowery Pekoe
  
This leaf is shorter and coarser than Orange Pekoe, often more open and not as finely rolled. Ceylon ‘Low-grown’ Pekoes include

BROKEN TEA

• FBOP: Flowery Broken Orange Pekoe
  
These grades are coarser and more aromatic varieties of small-leaf teas. A neatly processed, well-rolled leaf with plenty of tips, giving the tea an attractive appearance.
• GBOP: Golden Broken Orange Pekoe
  
A very fine and full-bodied tea, particularly in the case of Assam.
• BOP: Broken Orange Pekoe
  
A well-processed leaf with fewer tips than FBOP, but even more full-bodied, though not quite as floral.
• BOP 1: Broken Orange Pekoe 1
  
On some plantations in India, this is the term used for FBOP; in Ceylon, however, it refers to a ‘semi-leaf tea’, a grade that lies between OP and BOP.
• BP: Broken Pekoe

  In CTC production, BP is a grade with a very full-bodied cup quality.
• Fannings and Dust

  The small and very small particles of leaf, free from stems and veins, that result from sieving. Fannings and Dust yield a high volume of liquor, are strong, infuse quickly and are therefore the preferred choice for use in tea bags.

Would you like to find out more about tea?

We hope that our tea encyclopaedia provides you with a helpful insight into the diverse world of tea. In the individual descriptions of our teas, we also aim to give you a better understanding of the distinctive characteristics of each variety. But ultimately, nothing beats the taste and aroma! Would you like to deepen your knowledge even further? We’re delighted to offer our customers personalised tea tastings during a visit to our premises, where we’ll explain everything you need to know. If you’re interested, simply get in touch with your personal contact.

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