Graded Teas: Unflavored Blacks

Graded Teas: Unflavored Blacks

Chantilly Tea has introduced two new Darjeeling Teas.  They are classified as high quality blacks and bear the tea grade of FTGFOP1.  Grades are the tea industry's way of referring to the size and condition of the processed leaves.  The smaller the size, the more quickly the leaf brews.  Most grading terms refer only to black teas, as green teas are usually graded by the name of the tea (i.e. gunpowder, panfired. etc.).  The common grades are OP Orange Pekoe (Whole Leaf Grade) and BOP Broken Orange Pekoe (Broken Leaf Grade).  The tiny parts of leaves left over after tea leaves have been rolled, etc. are considered Fannings (F) or Dust (D) and are used primarily in tea bags as they steep quickly.

Our new Darjeeling teas bear a high grade, thus making them one of the highest quality blacks available.  FTGFOP1 (Finest Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe while the 1 at the end distinguishes them as having some of the highest quality of leaves in the FTGFOP classification).  Tippy includes an abundance of the tips.  Golden means the tea includes very young tips or buds (which are usually golden).  Flowery consists of large leaves with an abundance of tips.  So, FTGFOP teas are premium black whole leaf teas with an abundance of young tips.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW & ORDER OUR DARJEELING TEAS