tea grading

Tea grading is a system that ranks tea leaves based on size, appearance, and quality. Higher grades typically feature whole, intact leaves, indicating careful processing, while lower grades may include broken leaves or fannings. For example, whole leaf teas like "Orange Pekoe" are considered premium, whereas broken bits are lower grades. Grading helps buyers assess quality and price, but it doesn't always reflect flavor, which can also depend on processing and harvest. Ultimately, grading provides a guideline for quality, but personal taste remains the key factor in selecting tea.