Tea Leaf Sizes and Classification – A Guide to the Abbreviations

The world of tea is not only about a variety of flavors and aromas but also about a system of leaf classification. Many people come across mysterious abbreviations such as FOP, OP, or BOP and wonder what they actually mean.
 Below you will find a guide to help you understand the division of teas according to the size and form of their leaves.

T (Tip or Flowery Pekoe) – the tea leaf bud
OP (Orange Pekoe) – the first leaf after the bud
 P (Pekoe) – the second leaf after the bud
 PS (Pure Souchong or Pekoe Souchong) – the third leaf after the bud
 S (Souchong) – the fourth leaf after the bud
 Bohea – the next leaf (no abbreviation)
 Congou – the next leaf (no abbreviation)

Classification of Teas by Leaf Size

A) Leaf Tea

Made from whole leaves that retain their structure after processing. Within this group we distinguish:

  • FOP – Flowery Orange Pekoe – thin, twisted leaves with light-colored tips, indicating the use of young buds.

  • OP – Orange Pekoe – longer and thicker leaves than FOP; the name “Orange” comes from “Oranje” and has nothing to do with the flavor of oranges.

  • P – Pekoe and FP – Flowery Pekoe – shorter and thicker leaves, often less rolled, producing a stronger infusion.

B) Broken Tea

During rolling and processing, the leaves are partly broken, which makes the infusion gain color and strength more quickly. We distinguish among others:

1a. FBOP – Flowery Broken Orange Pekoe – aromatic, smaller leaves with tips, producing a refined infusion.
 1b. GBOP – Golden Broken Orange Pekoe – strong tea, particularly popular in Assam.
 2a. BOP – Broken Orange Pekoe – smaller leaves, less floral but more intense infusion.
 2b. BOP1 – Broken Orange Pekoe 1 – similar to BOP but slightly smaller.
 3. BP – Broken Pekoe – an even stronger tea, often produced using the CTC method (Crush-Tear-Curl).
 4. Fannings & Dust – the smallest leaf particles, used in tea bags; they produce a strong and dark infusion.

Examples of Abbreviations and Their Meanings

SFTGFOP (large leaf)

  • S = Super
  • F = Finest
  • T = Tippy
  • G = Golden
  • F = Flowery
  • O = Orange
  • P = Pekoe

 

FP (small leaf)

  • F = Flowery
  • P = Pekoe

GFBOP (fine Broken)

  • G = Golden
  • F = Flowery
  • B = Broken
  • O = Orange
  • P = Pekoe

BOPF (Fannings)

  • B = Broken
  • O = Orange
  • P = Pekoe
  • F = Fannings

CTC (round leaf)

  • C = Crush
  • T = Tear
  • C = Curl

🌿 Summary

The system of tea abbreviations may seem complicated, but in reality, it mainly refers to the size and appearance of the leaf, and not necessarily to its quality or flavor.
 The true value of a tea can only be judged during tasting.
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