Whole Leaf Tea Grade Comparison Guide
Compare leaf sizes, brewing strength, cup color, and best uses across premium whole leaf Ceylon teas including OP1, OPA, and Pekoe.
The complete guide to Sri Lanka Tea Board standard Whole Leaf grades, organizing OP, OP1, OPA, and Pekoe teas by leaf size, taste profile, and best brewing methods.
Taste Heatmap & Grade Comparison
Compare tea color, strength, caffeine levels (~mg per cup), body, and natural aroma side-by-side.
Official Ceylon Tea Grades Matrix
Official Sri Lanka Tea Board Standard Nomenclature for Global Importers & Blenders. (11 Grades Found)
| Grade Code | Category | Particle & Appearance Description | Origin Terroir | FOB Colombo Est. | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
OP Orange Pekoe | Black Tea | Whole leaf, twisted (smaller than OPA) "Same style as OPA but slightly smaller in size with neat tightly twisted leaves. Balances delicate aroma with a refined golden liquor." | Dimbula / Ruhuna / Kandy | $5.80 - $8.20 / kg FOB | |
PEKOE Pekoe | Black Tea | Twisted and coarse curly leaf balls (3.5mm - 5.5mm) "Twisted and coarse spherical leaves that unfold gently during infusion to yield a mellow, rounded liquor with low astringency." | Kandy / Dimbula / Low Grown | $5.50 - $7.80 / kg FOB | |
PEKOE 1 Pekoe 1 | Black Tea | Same curly shotty style as Pekoe, but smaller and tighter in size "Same style, but smaller in size than the Pekoe. Tightly rolled neat pellets that provide a smooth, sweet, and clean cup character." | Kandy / Dimbula / Ruhuna | $6.00 - $8.50 / kg FOB | |
OPA Orange Pekoe 'A' | Black Tea | Large, bold, and slightly open whole leaf pieces (8mm - 18mm) "A good quality tea consisting of large, bold, and slightly open leaf pieces. Brews a light, smooth amber cup that is immensely popular in Middle Eastern markets." | Sabaragamuwa / Low Grown / Ruhuna | $5.20 - $7.50 / kg FOB | |
OP1 Orange Pekoe One | Black Tea | Long, wiry, tightly twisted whole leaf (more wiry than OP) "Orange Pekoe One – More wiry and slender than OP. Elegant long black leaves delivering a delicate floral aroma and pale golden liquor." | Nuwara Eliya / Sabaragamuwa / Dimbula | $7.20 - $11.50 / kg FOB | |
BOP 1A Broken Orange Pekoe One A | Off Grades | Weightless, open, larger leafy pieces "Broken Orange Pekoe one A – Weight less large leaves separated during traditional sifting. Light, mild cup profile popular for economical loose-leaf blending." | Low & Mid Grown | $3.20 - $4.40 / kg FOB | |
GP1 Gun Powder 1 | Green Tea | Twisted and coarse tightly rolled green leaf pellets (similar to Pekoe shape) "Gun Powder 1 – Twisted and coarse pellets similar to Pekoe style but distinctive green color. Pellets expand dramatically in hot water to release rich toasted vegetal aroma." | High & Mid Grown Green Tea Factories | $6.80 - $10.20 / kg FOB | |
GP2 Gun Powder 2 | Green Tea | Little opened coarse green pellets (slightly bigger than GP1) "Gun Powder 2 – A little opened coarse pellet slightly bigger than GP1. Milder flavor intensity with smooth green character." | Mid Grown Kandy | $5.50 - $7.80 / kg FOB | |
GP Sp Gun Powder Special | Green Tea | Bloom curl twisted tight spherical green pellets (bigger than CH) "Gun Powder Special – Bloom curl twisted pieces larger than Chunmee. High shine and glossy green sheen yielding an aromatic, antioxidant-rich liquor." | High Grown Nuwara Eliya | $8.50 - $13.00 / kg FOB | |
SW Sowmee | Green Tea | Even and neat opened green leaf pieces "Sowmee – Even and neat opened leaf pieces. Mild, gentle astringency and smooth grassy finish that pairs wonderfully with citrus fruits." | Mid Grown Estates | $5.00 - $7.20 / kg FOB | |
Sencha Ceylon Sencha (Japanese Style) | Green Tea | Tiny dark green needle-shaped polished pieces "Consists of tiny dark green needle-shaped pieces created via high-pressure steam de-enzyming and precision needle polishing. Vivid emerald liquor with sweet seaweed and umami notes." | Nuwara Eliya / High Grown Steamed Units | $9.50 - $16.00 / kg FOB |
Understanding Ceylon Tea Grades
In Sri Lanka, tea grades refer strictly to the leaf size, shape, and the presence of tender buds — not the overall quality. An unbroken whole leaf (like OP1) and a broken leaf (like BOP) from the same mountain garden share the same fine quality, but they brew differently.
Whole Leaf grades (OP1, OP, OPA) steep slowly and release gentle, floral aromas that are wonderful for loose-leaf teapots. Broken grades (BOP, FBOP) and Fannings (BOPF) infuse quickly to give a strong, full-bodied cup with deep reddish color — perfect for morning tea and everyday tea bags.
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Frequently Asked Questions
The chart organizes Sri Lankan teas by leaf size, region, cup color, brewing speed, and best uses, making it easy to choose whole leaves for teapots or fine cuts for tea bags.
