Grades of assam

TG means tippy golden. It is not clear, but golden may mean it was picked earlier in the season, hence not surprising that the leaves are smaller. They may also be milder, which you probably don't want in an Assam. However, Tippy may mean more caffeine, which you probably did want. On the other hand, the store may have scooped them out of the same bin.... Toci

Tippy means it contains lots of the tips of the leaves, methinks, golden is the colour of the tips, methinks again. And I beg to differ that larger leaves are necessarily better than smaller ones, I had perfectly delicious small-leaved Assams, even broken leaves. The TG is more important than leave size.

JB

In theory, tippy golden should contain more of the small young leaves, and be a higher grade tea.

But in actuality, the naming is so vague that you can never really tell. I have had some generically-named OP that was better than some of the first flush single-estate teas. I've also had some that was terrible.

The bad news is that because the nomenclature is so vague, you have to drink it and see what it tastes like. The good news is that you can drink it and see what it tastes like, and drinking tea is always a good idea.

--scott

Also, if the shop will allow you to do this, *smell* the dry leaf before you buy. That will tell you a lot about freshness and flavor.

/Lew

You are correct that TGFOP and FOP are leaf-size classifications. The basic grade names (SFTGFOP, FTGFOP, GFBOP etc.) are not used by grower to classify whether there is tips or orange flavor or not. These are used strictly for leaf classification. Therefore it's a classic mistake to try and understand a grade by trying to figure out what's a Super Fine Tippy Golden Flower Orange Pekoe - all it means is that it is the smallest whole leaf and is a first fine of the factory production process. If this SFTGFOP has a 1 (SFTGFOP-1) behind it, it means that there is tips. Similarly, TGFOP does not mean there is tips - however, TGFOP-1 confirms that there is tips (two tips or more). These are good for whole leaf. When it comes to brokens, the T in the front actually means that there is tips. For example, GFBOP is no tips whereas TGFBOP is tippy.

The most common whole leaf grades from assam (based on leaf size). From smallest leaf size to largest leaf size:

1. SFTGFOP
2. FTGFOP
3. TGFOP
4. GFOP
5. FOP
6. OP Now if you see any of the above grades with a 1 or Sp. (special) behind them - they are either special production or tippy varieties. If you see a CL behind them, it means they were harvested from 100% clonal variety plants.

The most common brokens - From largest to smallest leaves:

1. FBOP
2. GFBOP
3. GBOP

Now if you see any of the above grades with a T in the front - they are tippy varieities.

If you memorize these grades and their size classifications, I can assure you that you know more than the majority of commercial tea buyers in North America.

I have found very confused buyers in the most reputable firms because they tend to get caught in the "super fine tippy..." lingo instead of developing their nose, palate and sight.

Cheers