The catalogue

Fifteen grades, five families, one standard

Every lot we ship is cupped, inspected, and graded by certified tea tasters before it leaves Mombasa. Browse the grades below — and if you need something specific, talk to us about blends and private label.

Family 01

Black CTC Teas

Made using a mechanised process that crushes, tears, and curls the leaf into small, uniform pellets. Withered leaves pass through CTC rollers, creating even particle size for fast and consistent oxidation. After oxidation, the tea is dried, sieved, and graded. The result: strong colour, brisk character, and rapid infusion — ideal for milk tea and teabags.

BP1

Broken Pekoe 1

Premium CTC grade showcasing uniform, bold granules that deliver a brisk cup with bright liquor. Its consistent colour and aroma make it ideal for both straight-line shipments and blended compositions.

PF1

Pekoe Fanning 1

Fine, even particles designed for rapid infusion. Creates a robust cup with excellent colour development. Ideal for commercial tea bag production and blending applications.

Pekoe Dust

Small, even particles designed for rapid infusion, producing a robust and flavourful cup. PD grades offer deep colour, strong aroma, and fast brewing — their higher density makes them especially suitable for teabags and quick-brew applications.

Dust 1

Fine CTC grade with very small granules. Produces an intense liquor with high strength and colour. Favoured in markets that prefer bold, dark tea, and often used in blends requiring quick colour development and maximum strength.

Family 02

Orthodox · Whole Leaf

A traditional processing method that emphasises gentle withering and controlled rolling to preserve the leaf's natural structure. The leaves are twisted and shaped with minimal breakage, allowing slower, more even oxidation — refined flavour and aroma, clarity, and premium leaf appearance.

OPA

Orange Pekoe A

Large, bold, slightly unfurled leaves with minimal breakage. It brews a clear, light-bodied liquor with a smooth, refined character, appealing to consumers who prefer a gentle, elegant cup.

OP1

Orange Pekoe 1

Thin, wiry leaves slightly shorter than OPA. Brisk, bright flavour with a clean profile and well-developed aroma. Favoured by consumers who prefer a refined, aromatic cup with balanced character.

FOP

Flowery Orange Pekoe

Well-twisted, high-quality whole leaves with minimal tips. It produces a fragrant, mellow cup with medium body and clean, balanced flavour — a smooth, well-rounded brew.

Pekoe

Shorter, twisted leaves with a well-developed aroma and distinctive character. Produces a medium-bodied liquor with balanced flavour, common in traditional black orthodox markets worldwide.

Family 03

Orthodox · Broken Leaf

Similar to whole-leaf orthodox but with more breaking during rolling. Smaller, uniform pieces oxidise more quickly due to increased surface area. The result offers a stronger infusion while maintaining the traditional orthodox flavour profile.

FBOP

Flowery Broken Orange Pekoe

A broken grade featuring pronounced golden tips that signal higher quality. It delivers a rich, full-bodied cup with warm, rounded flavour notes and elevated aroma — depth and complexity in the brew.

GBOP

Golden Broken Orange Pekoe

A broken leaf grade containing some golden tips. It produces a strong, flavourful cup with moderate aroma and excellent colour — a bold, well-defined brew.

Family 04

Orthodox · Fannings & Specialty

Fine leaf particles produced during rolling and sorting. Oxidation occurs rapidly, resulting in brisk, bright liquor. Designed for quick brewing and strong character, and widely used in teabags.

FBOPF

Flowery Broken Orange Pekoe Fannings

Smaller, broken fannings with some tips. Strong infusion, brisk character, and bright liquor — ideal for markets seeking strength with controlled bitterness.

FBOPFSP

Flowery Broken Orange Pekoe Fannings Special

Higher-tier fannings with significant golden tips. Offers a premium cup with complexity, aroma, and brightness — highly valued in boutique artisan tea lines.

FOF

Fine Orange Fannings

Fine fannings with a smooth character. Produces a brisk, aromatic cup suitable for teabags — a reliable grade for markets needing blend flexibility.

Family 05

Green Orthodox Teas

Leaves are lightly withered, then immediately heated — steamed or pan-fired — to stop oxidation, preserving the tea's natural green colour and fresh character. Rolled into long, twisted or curled shapes depending on style, and carefully dried to retain freshness and natural antioxidants. Graded into whole-leaf, broken, or specialty forms with clean, vegetal flavour profiles.

Flavour profile

Fresh and grassy with light vegetal notes, gentle natural sweetness, and a smooth, clean finish. Often shows subtle herbal, floral, or nutty undertones depending on the style and region.

Need a grade you don't see here?

Blends, private label, and secondary grades (fannings and dust) are all part of what we source. Tell us what your market needs.