Tea Grades

Assam tea grades explained

Grading describes the size, shape and appearance of the sorted leaf — not its quality. Two lots carrying the same grade code can taste entirely different depending on garden, flush and manufacture. This page sets out how the system works before you review individual grade characteristics.

The system

How grading works

After drying, tea is passed across a series of vibrating mesh screens. Each screen retains a particular particle size, and fibre extractors remove stalk and lighter matter. What comes off each screen is a grade.

The grade is then given a code built from a fixed set of letters. Read left to right, the code describes leaf make: whether the leaf is whole or broken, whether it carries tips, and how fine the particle is.

BBroken — leaf that has been cut rather than left whole
OOrange — a traditional descriptor of leaf style, not flavour
PPekoe — the leaf grade class
FFlowery or Fannings, depending on position in the code
GGolden — the presence of golden tips
TTippy — a high proportion of unopened buds
SSpecial or Souchong, depending on the code
DDust — the finest sorted particle size

Particle size

The four leaf classes

Whole leaf

Largest particle size, slowest infusion, most nuanced cup. Sold as premium loose-leaf and specialty tea.

Broken

Cut leaf with a faster infusion and more colour and strength. The workhorse of retail blends.

Fannings

Small, even particles that brew quickly with good colour. Widely used for tea bags.

Dust

Finest sorted grade, immediate colour and strength. Standard for institutional and high-volume use.

Catalogue

Our grade range

Assam CTC

  • BOP
  • BOPL
  • BOPsm
  • BP
  • BOPF
  • PF
  • PD
  • D
  • CD
  • GD
  • FD
  • SFD

Assam Orthodox

  • OP
  • FOP
  • GFOP
  • FBOP
  • BOP
  • GBOP
  • BPS
  • BOPF
  • FOF

Assam Green Tea

  • Assam Green — Whole Leaf
  • Assam Green — Broken
  • Assam Green — Fannings
See grade characteristicsEnquire for availability