Want To Enjoy Best Assam Tea Varieties? Know Everything About Tea Grades Before Buying

When it comes to some of the best varieties of tea in the world, Assam tea is a name that needs no introduction in both the country and the world. Grown in the lush Brahmaputra Valley of India, it is one of the most famous and widely consumed black teas in the world.

Known for its strong flavour, bright liquor, Assam tea is a favourite for breakfast blends and milk tea. But in order to better understand the delicate taste and quality of one of the world’s most consumed beverages, you need to understand more about tea grades. 

What Are Tea Grades?

Tea grading mainly refers to the size and appearance of the processed tea leaves, not the quality or taste alone. The grading system was created by traders specifically to serve as standard indicators at auctions. The grade is an indicator of the size of each leaf, the price point, and the strength of the cup during a certain season, although it is unique to a growing location. After the tea is prepared and dried, it is separated to create the various grades.

Whole leaf (Orthodox):

These are amongst the best teas, where the tea leaf retains its integrity. It indicates a high standard of plucking, that is, a shorter harvesting round. They usually pick the tea leaves every seven days when they are ready to be picked. Some teas are more delicate. Need to be picked every three or four days. The tea leaves also need to be dried after they are picked, which helps bring out the good taste of the tea leaves. This is a step because it helps the tea taste better. The tea leaves need to be dried so that they can develop the flavour and this makes the teas taste superior. Although every stage of tea manufacturing plays a role, the quality of green leaf plucking and the precision of the withering process are the most critical factors. Whole leaf teas include grades such as Orange Pekoe (OP), Flowery Orange Pekoe (FOP), and superior categories extending up to Super Finest Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe (SFTGFOP).

Broken leaf:

When the withering process is not carried out to the required standard, the tea leaves tend to break into smaller pieces during the subsequent rolling stage. As a result, some of the volatile flavour compounds are released, making these teas slightly less flavourful than whole-leaf grades. Broken leaf teas are identified by the letter “B” in their grading. Common grades begin with BP (Broken Pekoe) and extend to higher categories such as Tippy Golden Flowery Broken Orange Pekoe 1 (TGFBOP1).

Fannings:

Fannings consist mainly of the flaky stalks of the tea shoot and are easily recognised as fine tea particles. They are separated out after the whole leaf and broken leaf grades are removed. Because they infuse quickly and produce a strong cup of tea, fannings are commonly used in tea bags, quite different from what many people might expect to find inside one.

CTC:

CTC teas are also classified under a specific grading system, and several of these grades produce excellent-quality brews. CTC tea is especially suited for those who prefer a strong cup of tea with milk. Unsorted CTC tea contains a mix of grades, ranging from relatively larger particles such as BOP (Broken Orange Pekoe) to very fine Dust (D). This combination results in a well-rounded, robust, and balanced cup that pairs perfectly with milk.

Dust:

Dust grades include Pekoe Dust (PD), Dust (D), and Chirumoni Dust (CD). These CTC grades consist of very fine tea particles and offer higher cuppage. On average, dust teas yield around 400 cups per kilogram, compared to approximately 250 cups per kilogram from larger CTC grades such as BOP, BOPSM, and BP. Owing to their higher commercial value, dust grades are widely used in restaurants and the hospitality industry. They also produce a stronger, more robust cup of chai. This grade is especially popular in South India.

So the next time you go tea shopping, remember that every grade of tea leaves is different from the others in its unique way. So choose your share of that piping hot tea wisely according to its grading and unwind yourself to the aroma of Assam and its legendary tea gardens.

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