| TERMS
DESCRIBING DRY LEAF |
 |
| BLACK |
: |
A black appearance is desirable, preferably
with “bloom”. This term is used with Orthodox
or Rotorvane manufacture. |
|
| BLACKISH |
: |
This is a satisfactory appearance
for CTC and LTP manufacture teas and denotes careful sorting.
|
|
| BLOOM |
: |
A sign of good manufacture and sorting
(where the reduction of leaf has mainly taken place before
firing).
A “sheen” which has not been removed by over-handling
or over-sorting. |
|
| BOLD |
: |
Particles of leaf which are too large for
the particular grade. |
|
| BROWN |
: |
A brown appearance, with CTC and LTP manufacture
Normally reflects too hard treatment of the leaf. |
|
| CHESTY |
: |
Inferior or unseasoned packing materials
cause this taint. |
|
| CHOPPY |
: |
Orthodox (or Rotorvane) manufacture leaf
which has to |
|
| CHUNKY |
: |
A very large broken from orthodox manufacture. |
|
| CLEAN |
: |
Leaf which is free from fibre, dust or
any extraneous matter. |
|
| CREEPY |
: |
A crimped appearance common with the larger
grade brokens from orthodox manufacture,
such as B. O. P. |
|
| CURLY |
: |
The Leaf appearance of wholeleaf grade
orthodox tea Such as O. P., as opposed to Winy. |
|
| EVEN |
: |
True to the grade and consisting of pieces
of leaf of quite size. |
|
| FLAKEY |
: |
Flat, open and often too light in texture.
|
|
| GRAINY |
: |
Describes well made CTC or LTP primary
grade more particularly Pekoe Dust and DUST 1 grades.
|
|
| LEAFY |
: |
Orthodox manufacture leaf tending to be
on a large or long side. |
|
| LIGHT |
: |
A tea light in weight and of poor density.
Sometimes flakey. |
|
| MAKE |
: |
Well made (or not) and must be true to
the grade. |
|
| MUSHY |
: |
A tea which has been packed or stored
with a high moisture content. |
|
| MUSTY |
: |
A tea affected by mildew |
|
| NEAT |
: |
A grade having good “ make”
and size. |
|
| NOSE |
: |
Smell of dry leaf. |
|
| POWDERY |
: |
Fine light dust. |
|
| RAGGED |
: |
An uneven badly manufactured and graded
tea. |
|
STALK & FIBRE
|
: |
Should be minimal in primary or top grades,
but generally unavoidable in the lower grades of an assortment. |
|
| TIPS |
: |
A sign of fine plucking and apparent in
the top grades of Orthodox manufacture |
|
| UNEVEN & MIXED |
: |
“Uneven” pieces of leaf usually
indicative of poor sorting and not true to the particular
grade. |
|
| WELL TWISTED |
: |
Applicable to Orthodox manufacture. Often
referred to as “well made” or “rolled”
and used for describing whole leaf grades. |
|
| WIRY |
: |
Leaf appearance of a well twisted, thin
leaf orthodox tea. |
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