Ceylon tea, renowned for its rich flavor and vibrant aroma, is cultivated in the diverse landscapes of Sri Lanka. With a variety of distinct types and grades, each offers a unique tasting experience influenced by the region’s climate, elevation, and traditional methods of production. From the delicate Silver Tips to the robust Broken Orange Pekoe, every tea grade carries its own characteristics, providing tea enthusiasts with a wide range of flavors and aromas to explore. In this guide, we’ll explore the most notable types and grades of Ceylon tea, offering insights into what makes each one special.
SILVER TIPS
The finest buds from a special cultivar, turning velvety-silver when dried. Extremely rare and typically handpicked before sunrise, Silver Tips offer a gentle, fragrant brew.
OP – Orange Pekoe
Contrary to popular belief, Orange Pekoe refers to leaf size rather than flavor. This tea boasts a strong aroma and a smooth flavor with a sweet finish.
FBOP – Flowery Broken Orange Pekoe
Similar to Broken Orange Pekoe but larger in size, this coarser, semi-leaf tea contains a small portion of tips, producing a mild yet flavorful brew.
BOP1 – Broken Orange Pekoe 1
A well-twisted semi-leaf tea generally sourced from the low country. It features a delicate, malt-like taste with a caramel-like aftertaste.
PEKOE
Referring to tea made from the just-unfurling buds of the tea bush, Pekoe leaves are tightly rolled into nearly spherical shapes, requiring careful manufacturing.
BOP – Broken Orange Pekoe
popular leaf size and the main broken grade, BOP infuses faster than whole-leaf varieties, resulting in a liquor that strikes the right balance between taste and strength.
BOPF – Broken Orange Pekoe Fannings
This grade consists of uniform, black-leaf tea particles smaller than BOP, lacking tips. Sourced from higher elevations, it has a bright color and strong taste, making it ideal for tea bags.
DUST 1
The smallest tea particles that infuse swiftly, providing optimum strength, color, and body. It is best suited for commercial brewing.
FBOPF EX.SP. – Flowery Broken Orange Pekoe Fanning Extra Special
A whole-leaf black tea that tends to be expensive due to its abundance of long, leafy tips. It yields an exquisite cup with a mild caramel flavor.
GOLDEN TIPS
Very rare, pale golden velvety whole buds taken from select plants, offering a delicate brew with a mild floral bouquet.
FF1 – Flowery Fannings 1
This type consists of short, wiry particles mixed with medium-sized curly leaves, including some tips.
GUNPOWDER
A traditional green tea dating back to the 1800s, named for its tightly rolled leaves resembling small pellets, reminiscent of ammunition used in old muskets.