Tea grading. Just what does it all mean?!
Tea grading is the process of evaluating the quality and purity of tea leaves. The grading system varies depending on the type of tea, but generally, it takes into account factors such as leaf size, color, and overall appearance. The higher the grade, the better the quality and flavor of the tea.
One of the most well-known grading systems is for black tea, which is the most popular type of tea in the world. Black tea is graded based on the size and appearance of the leaves, with the highest grade being "orange pekoe." This grade is given to whole leaves that are long and wiry, with a bright copper color. Lower grades include "pekoe" and "fannings," which are smaller, broken leaves.
Another type of tea that is graded is green tea. The grading system for green tea is different than that of black tea. The highest grade is "gyokuro," which is made from the youngest leaves and buds, and has a delicate, sweet flavor. Lower grades include "sencha" and "bancha," which are made from older leaves and have a stronger, more astringent flavour.
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The grading system for white tea is also different, it is considered as the least processed of all teas. The highest grade is "silver needle," which is made from only the buds and has a delicate, sweet flavor. Lower grades include "white peony" and "shoumei," which are made from a mix of buds and leaves and have a stronger, more robust flavor.
In addition to these traditional grading systems, there are also newer, more modern grading systems that take into account factors such as the growing conditions, the processing method, and the region where the tea is grown. Some of these systems use a numerical or letter-based grading system, while others use more descriptive terms.
Tea grading is an important aspect of the tea industry, and it helps to ensure that consumers are getting the best quality and flavor of tea. As a tea lover, it is important to understand the different grading systems and what they mean, so that you can make an informed decision when buying tea.
An increasingly utilised way of describing the quality of tea is the FBOPEXS grading system, which stands for "Flowery Broken Orange Pekoe Extra Special". This system is primarily used for grading black teas, which are the most popular type of tea in the world.
The FBOPEXS grading system is based on the size and appearance of the tea leaves. The grading process begins by sorting the leaves into different categories based on their size. The leaves are then evaluated based on their color, aroma, and flavor. The goal is to find the best quality leaves that will produce the most flavorful and aromatic tea.
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The "Flowery" in the grading system refers to the presence of whole leaves and buds, which are considered to be the highest quality leaves. These leaves are typically plucked from the tea plant during the first flush, which is the first harvest of the year.
The "Broken" in the grading system refers to leaves that have been broken during the manufacturing process. These leaves are considered to be of lower quality than whole leaves, but they still produce a good cup of tea.
The "Orange Pekoe" in the grading system refers to the size of the leaves. Orange Pekoe is a standard size that is considered to be the best quality. The leaves are usually around 1-2 inches long and are considered to be the highest quality leaves.
The "Extra Special" in the grading system refers to leaves that are of the highest quality, both in terms of size and appearance. These leaves are considered to be the best of the best and are highly sought after by tea connoisseurs.
To sum up, the FBOPEXS grading system is a widely used system for classifying and grading black tea. It is based on the size, appearance, aroma and flavor of the leaves. The system is designed to identify the highest quality leaves that produce the most flavorful and aromatic tea. Whether you are a tea connoisseur or just a casual tea drinker, understanding the FBOPEXS grading system can help you find the best quality tea for your taste.