You will often see descriptions such as F.T.G.F.O.P., Souchong, Congou or similarly perplexing text after the name of the tea. Have you ever wondered what these mean? Expressed simply they are a descriptive classification of the leaf and / or its size. Armed with the following basic descriptions, you will have more than enough understanding of your favourite drink: Orange Pekoe (O.P.) – describes the largest size wiry, thin black tea leaves. Pekoe - describes the basic grade, slightly smaller than O.P. Broken Orange Pekoe (B.O.P.) - is used to describe, obviously, a smaller size of thin black leaf tea than Pekoe. Pekoe Fannings (P.F.) - a slightly smaller leaf than B.O.P., the smallest leaf that is used in our teabag range. Fannings - is the smallest leaf grade, you’ll be lucky to find this in cheaper teabag ranges. Dust - the siftings that are used in most cheap teabags. Congou - is generally used to describe large narrow black leaf teas from China. Souchong - is the description given to the broad black leaf teas from China.

The descriptions are enhanced by such expressions as:

Finest (F.) - a further refined description for the finest available.
Flowery (F.) - referring to the presence of fine flower buds from an early picking.
Golden Flowery (G.F.) - refers to the inclusion of flower buds from an early picking.
Tippy (T.) - referring to the presence of fine golden tips from the budding tea leaf.

Sometimes a digit "1" or "2" is added to the grade, signifying the first or second flush: e.g., "FTGFOP1". Only the first two flushes are used to make graded tea.

PRIMARY GRADES:

Broken Pekoe 1 (BP1) -Forms about 12-14% of the total production and has the largest size particles. Liquors are light in colour but have an encouraging flavouring characteristic.

Pekoe Fanning 1 (PF1) -Forms the bulk of the production about 58-60% and made up of black grainy particles slightly smaller than the BP1.

Pekoe Dust (PD) -Forms 10-12% of the production, often black and finer than the PF1 and has thick liquors and aroma.

Dust 1 (D1) -Forms about 4-6% of the production and is made up of the smallest particles and characterised by strong liquors.

SECONDARY GRADES:

Fanning 1 (F1) -Forms about 3-4% of the production. This is a mixture of black tea and large amount of smallish cut fibres often sifted out of the primary grades. The teas are quite useful in tea bags due to its quick brewing, strong flavour and good colouring qualities.

Dust (D) -Made up of tiny bits of broken leaf often used to brew strong tea.

Broken Mixed Fanning (BMF) -Fibrous lots with very little trace of black teas.

ORTHODOX TEA:

Pekoe (P) -Is the largest of the leaf grades with thinner liquors as compared to smaller grades. Demanded more for its attractive appearance than for the cup quality.

Flowery Pekoe (FP) -Is neater and more even than the pekoe, it is curly and free of stalk and flaky leaves, commands a higher price due to its brighter and cleaner liquors.

Flowery Orange Pekoe (FOP) -Contains amount of Tips that contribute to the flavour and the attractive appearance. Has a clean cup but demanded more for appearance than the liquors.

Orange Pekoe (OP) -Fancy looking containing very tightly rolled leaf resulting to very attractive twisted and wiry appearance. However contains no tips and is thin and light in liquors.

Broken Orange Pekoe (BOP) -Contains good amount of tips, smaller particles and is sold for both its appearance and good cup qualities.

Broken Orange Pekoe Fanning (BOPF) -This contains the smallest of all grades and has a rapid brewing properties and gives a good strong flavour and coloury liquors.

Dust (D) -Contains the smallest particles and influenced by its appearance. In a cup, it produces strong coloury liquors.

楼主请问《peko tea》是什么茶叶的英文名称，请发送到我邮箱：benin_bian@yahoo.cn，谢谢！