HONEST FAQS
What are some common terms I should know about tea?
- The white or golden bud leaf on a tea plant is called a Tip.
- A tea plant with many tips is said to be Tippy, indicating that it is of high quality.
- The new growth on a tea plant is called a Flush. It takes about 40 days for a bud to blossom into a flush.
- First Flush tea is picked from the first growth of the year, and
- Second Flush is picked from the second growth.
- Dust is the smallest particle of a tea leaf. It is best used for strong, quick brews such as tea bags.
- Fannings are very small particles of tea, just bigger than dust.
- Orange Pekoe (pronounced peck-o) identifies a large leaf size.
- Pekoe has shorter and less wiry leaves than Orange Pekoe and a liquor of less color.
- Pekoe Shorter has less wiry leaves than Orange Pekoe.
- Flowery Orange Pekoe is a large leaf size containing more tips.
- Broken Orange Pekoe is comprised of smaller leaves and tips and yields liquors with good color and strength. It is commonly used in blends.
- Muscatel is a flavor reminiscent of muscatel grapes that is found in the liquors of the finest Darjeelings.
- Souchong has bold round leaves yielding pale liquors.
- Autumnal teas are those grown late in the Autumn cool season.
