Black Tea leaf OP – ब्लैक टी लीफ 100Gms

“OP” stands for Orange Pekoe, which is a widely recognized tea leaf grading term.

• It’s a leaf grade, not a tea type or flavor: OP refers to the size and quality of the processed, dried black tea leaves, not a specific type of tea or its flavor profile.

Characteristics of Black Tea (leaf) OP:

• Whole Leaf: The most significant characteristic of OP grade tea is that it consists of whole, unbroken tea leaves. This distinguishes it from “broken leaf” grades (like BOP – Broken Orange Pekoe) or “fannings” and “dust” which are much smaller fragments typically used in tea bags.
• Appearance: OP leaves are generally long and wiry, sometimes appearing twisted. This integrity of the leaf is maintained through careful processing during the black tea manufacturing steps (withering, rolling, oxidation, and drying).
• Flavor Profile: Due to the larger, whole leaves, OP teas tend to brew more slowly and yield a more delicate, nuanced, and smoother flavor compared to broken leaf teas. They often exhibit floral, malty, or sometimes subtly fruity notes, depending on the terroir (growing region), tea cultivar, and specific processing methods. They are generally less brisk or robust than broken grades.
• Brewing: Because of their larger size, OP teas require a slightly longer steeping time to fully extract their flavors and aromas. The resulting liquor is typically golden or amber in color.
• Quality Indicator: While OP is considered a good quality grade, indicating whole loose leaves, it’s actually one of the base grades within the broader “Pekoe” classification. Higher grades within this system often include more “tips” (unopened leaf buds) and are indicated by additional letters:
  • FOP (Flowery Orange Pekoe): Contains some young tips.
  • GFOP (Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe): Has a higher proportion of golden tips.
  • TGFOP (Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe): Even more golden tips, indicating a premium quality.
  • FTGFOP (Finest Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe): Among the highest quality, with a very high proportion of tips, often hand-processed. Sometimes followed by a “1” (e.g., FTGFOP1) to denote the very finest selection.

“Black Tea OP (leaf),” it refers to a black tea made from whole, unbroken leaves, indicative of a quality loose-leaf tea with a generally delicate and refined flavor profile.