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Vietnam orthodox black tea: 12 grades from OPA to dust
Vietnam orthodox black tea in 12 grades, from OPA and OP whole leaf to FBOP, BOP, fannings and dust: 13–28 tons per 40HC, FOB price per grade.
See all tea grades & specifications with sample photos
Tea leaf grades explained: what OP, BOP, fannings and dust mean
Compare Vietnam orthodox black tea grades
Leaf size, appearance and cup of every grade in this category. Open a grade for photos, the full specification and the indicative FOB price.
| Grade | Leaf size | Appearance | Liquor | Flavor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BPS Black Tea | 2-4 mm | Neat, flaky leaf, smaller than PS | Reddish gold with orange tones | Brisk, malty, citrusy; sweet, mildly tannic finish |
| Dust 1 Black Tea | 0.5-1 mm | Fine, almost black powder | Red with orange tones | Brisk, malty, citrusy; sweet, mildly tannic finish |
| Dust 2 Dust 3 Black Tea | under 1 mm | Fine yellowish-brown powder | Red with orange tones | Brisk, malty, citrusy; sweet, mildly tannic finish |
| Fanning F1 Black Tea | 1-2 mm | Small, nearly black particles | Red with orange tones | Brisk, malty, citrusy; sweet, mildly tannic finish |
| Fanning F2 F3 Black Tea | 0.8-2 mm | Small, finely broken pieces; yellow-brown particles | Red with orange tones | Brisk, malty, citrusy; sweet, mildly tannic finish |
| FBOP / BOP Black Tea (Orthodox) | 2-5 mm | Short, slightly wiry broken leaf; few silver tips | Reddish gold with orange tones | Brisk, malty, citrusy; sweet, mildly tannic finish |
| OP Black Tea | 8-15 mm | Black, lightly curled leaf of even size | Reddish gold with orange tones | Strong, malty taste; smooth, long citrus finish |
| OPA Black Tea | 10-20 mm | Long, lightly twisted leaf; slightly larger than OP | Reddish gold with orange tones | Brisk, malty, citrusy; sweet, mildly tannic finish |
| Pekoe Black Tea | 6-12 mm | Firmly curled, heavy black leaf | Orange-red with a yellow rim | Brisk, malty, citrusy; sweet, mildly tannic finish |
| PS Black Tea | 3-5 mm | Neat, flaky leaf | Reddish gold with orange tones | Brisk, malty, citrusy; sweet, mildly tannic finish |
| Stalk Black Tea | 5-15 mm stalk pieces | Yellow-brown stalks, 0.5–1 cm long | Reddish gold with orange tones | Brisk, malty, citrusy; sweet, mildly tannic finish |
| TH Black Tea | 10-20 mm | Short, wiry leaves | — | Bold and lively, light natural sweetness, balanced astringency, crisp finish |
About Vietnam orthodox black tea
Orthodox black tea is rolled rather than cut, so the leaf stays whole or in large pieces. It oxidizes more slowly than CTC and gives a golden-red liquor with a malty, brisk taste and citrus and floral notes. It is the tea we have produced the longest at Goo Farm, and the category with the most grades in our range.
We supply twelve orthodox grades. Whole-leaf grades such as OPA, OP and Pekoe are sold on the look of the leaf as much as on the cup. Broken grades such as FBOP and BOP, PS and BPS give more strength and are the base of breakfast and Earl Grey blends. Fannings and dust grades, from F1 to Dust 2 and Dust 3, go into tea bags and extracts. A 40-foot high cube container loads from about 13 tons of large-leaf OPA to 28 tons of dust.
Our guide to Vietnam orthodox black tea describes each grade in the leaf and in the cup, how to read an orthodox specification, container loading per grade, packing and how to buy. For small, fast-brewing granules for tea bags and milk tea, see our CTC black tea grades.
Frequently asked questions
What do OPA, OP, Pekoe, BOP and PS mean? They are leaf grades, named after the size and shape of the finished leaf. OPA and OP are long whole leaf, Pekoe is a shorter whole leaf, FBOP and BOP are broken leaf, PS and BPS are smaller broken pieces, and fannings and dust are the finest. Our guide to tea leaf grades explains each name.
Which orthodox grade is best for tea bags? Fannings and dust, from F1 to Dust 2 and Dust 3, brew fastest and fill a tea bag evenly. Broken grades such as BOP, PS and BPS give more strength and are the base of breakfast and Earl Grey blends, while whole-leaf OPA, OP and Pekoe are sold mainly as loose tea.
How much orthodox black tea fits in a 40HC container? From about 13 tons of large-leaf OPA to 28 tons of dust; broken grades such as BOP, PS and BPS load about 18 to 22 tons.
What is the minimum order? There is no minimum order; the price depends on the quantity, and you can combine several grades in one 20ft or 40HC container. Samples with a specification sheet are available before you order, and every shipment must be the same as or better than the sample you approved.
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