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(Scott Dorsey) writes:

> Mårten Nilsson > wrote:
> >I bought a hg of assam today. The shop had two kinds to choose from -
> >FOP and TGFOP. The only difference seemed to be the size of the leaves.
> >The size of the FOP leaves were larger. The price was the same. Now,
> >I've read that TGFOP means it's good, but I've also read that larger leaves
> >are better than smaller leaves. What is the difference between these two
> >teas?
>
> In theory, tippy golden should contain more of the small young leaves,
> and be a higher grade tea.
>
> But in actuality, the naming is so vague that you can never really tell.
> I have had some generically-named OP that was better than some of the
> first flush single-estate teas. I've also had some that was terrible.
>
> The bad news is that because the nomenclature is so vague, you have to
> drink it and see what it tastes like. The good news is that you can
> drink it and see what it tastes like, and drinking tea is always a
> good idea.

Also, if the shop will allow you to do this, *smell* the dry leaf
before you buy. That will tell you a lot about freshness and flavor.

/Lew
---
Lew Perin /
http://www.panix.com/~perin/babelcarp.html