Tea Grades
Five leaf grades, from fine fannings to the whole bud, and which of our teas is which.
Grade is the tea trade’s word for the size and form of the finished leaf, from fine fannings to the whole, unopened bud. Every St. Clair’s tea comes from one of our five highland estates, and we sell each estate’s tea in one grade, so there are five to know.
The grade decides how quickly a tea gives itself up to hot water, which is why each one is brewed differently. This page explains the names; the brewing guide has the numbers.
Grade 01 of 05
BOPF
Broken Orange Pekoe Fannings — the smallest grade we make. Fine particles mean a fast brew and a deep coppery pour.
- Heat
- 95–100 °C
- Steep
- 2–3 min
Grade 02 of 05
BOP
Broken Orange Pekoe — broken leaf, a size up from fannings. Brisk and full, without the sharp edge.
- Heat
- 95–100 °C
- Steep
- 3–4 min
Grade 03 of 05
PEKOE
Whole leaf, rolled and twisted rather than broken. Slower to open and gentler in the cup than anything cut.
- Heat
- 95–100 °C
- Steep
- 4–5 min
Grade 04 of 05
SILVER TIPS
Unopened buds, hand-picked before they break and dried rather than oxidised. The rarest thing we make, and the least forgiving.
- Heat
- 75–80 °C
- Steep
- 4–5 min
Grade 05 of 05
GOLDEN TIPS
Buds taken through full oxidation, which turns the silver down to gold. Honeyed where Silver Tips is clean.
- Heat
- 85–90 °C
- Steep
- 3–4 min
Know your grade? The brewing guide has the full method for each.
Brewing Guide