TEA COLLECTIONS · BLACK TEA

Ceylon Black Tea

Orange Pekoe, BOP, and BOPF grades — Lion Logo certified.

Ceylon black tea from Samley Teas is sourced across Sri Lanka's six growing regions and graded to Orange Pekoe, Broken Orange Pekoe, and BOPF standards. All supply carries Lion Logo certification from the Sri Lanka Tea Board. Available in bulk from 500kg for blending houses, teabag fillers, and private label producers requiring consistent, grade-specific Ceylon origin tea.

Premium Ceylon black tea graded to OP, BOP, and BOPF standards
THE RANGE

Our Ceylon Black Tea Range

GRADES EXPLAINED

Ceylon Black Tea Grades — OP, BOP and BOPF Explained

Understanding Ceylon black tea grades is essential for buyers specifying product across different end applications. Samley's black tea collection covers three primary grades — each with distinct characteristics suited to specific formats and markets.

Orange Pekoe (OP) is a whole-leaf grade producing long, wiry leaves with a characteristically light, aromatic liquor. OP is suited to premium loose leaf retail, speciality foodservice, and markets where the visible leaf quality is part of the consumer experience. Broken Orange Pekoe (BOP) is a smaller, broken leaf grade that produces a stronger, faster-brewing cup — well suited to standard teabag formats and markets requiring full-colour, full-strength liquor.

Broken Orange Pekoe Fannings (BOPF) is a fine-grain grade that brews quickly to a strong, full-colour liquor, making it the preferred choice for quality teabag filling at commercial scale. BOPF delivers consistent colour, flavour, and strength across thousands of brewing cycles — the reason it is the most widely specified grade for high-volume private label teabag production.

All grades are sourced under Lion Logo certification from the Sri Lanka Tea Board, confirming Sri Lanka origin and full quality compliance.

WHOLESALE & PRIVATE LABEL

Wholesale and Private Label Ceylon Black Tea

Ceylon black tea at grade level is the foundation ingredient for a wide range of B2B tea products — from retail private label teabags to foodservice bulk supply and blending house contracts. Samley supplies all three primary grades in bulk loose leaf from 500kg.

For buyers specifying BOP or BOPF for teabag filling lines, Samley's supply meets the particle size and moisture specifications required for high-speed filling equipment. Private label production from 50,000 units includes custom branding, packaging, and full certification documentation.

All Ceylon black tea from Samley is produced under FSSC 22000, FDA registration, Fairtrade, SEDEX, GMP, and Lion Logo certification. Carbon Verified credentials are current (renewed May 2025). Climate Pledge Friendly certification is active through Amazon.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What is orange pekoe tea?

Orange Pekoe (OP) is a grade of black tea — not a flavour. It refers to the size and style of the tea leaf: whole, unbroken leaves with a wiry appearance. In Ceylon tea, OP produces a light, aromatic liquor and is the premium grade for loose leaf retail. The name has no connection to oranges — it historically refers to the Dutch House of Orange.

Is Ceylon tea black tea?

Ceylon tea can be black, green, or white — 'Ceylon' refers to the country of origin (Sri Lanka), not the tea type. However, the vast majority of Ceylon tea production (over 90%) is black tea. When people refer to 'Ceylon tea' without qualification, they typically mean Ceylon black tea.

Is orange pekoe tea good for you?

Orange Pekoe black tea contains antioxidants, moderate caffeine (40–70mg per cup depending on brew strength), and is calorie-free when consumed plain. It is the same tea as other black teas — the 'orange pekoe' designation refers to the leaf grade, not a different variety. Health benefits are consistent with those of any black tea.

What does orange pekoe tea taste like?

Ceylon Orange Pekoe tea has a light, aromatic character with a golden-amber liquor. It is less astringent and lighter-bodied than BOP or BOPF grades because the whole leaf extracts more gradually. The flavour profile varies by growing region — Nuwara Eliya OP is delicate and floral, while Ruhuna OP is fuller and more malty.

Is orange pekoe the same as black tea?

Orange Pekoe is a grade of black tea, not a separate type. It specifically refers to whole-leaf black tea of a certain size standard. Other black tea grades include BOP (broken leaf) and BOPF (fannings). All are black tea — the grading system describes leaf size, which affects brew strength and application suitability.

How much caffeine is in Ceylon black tea?

Ceylon black tea contains approximately 40–70mg of caffeine per cup, depending on the grade and brew time. BOPF grade, being a finer particle, extracts caffeine faster and typically delivers the higher end of that range. OP grade, as a whole leaf, extracts more slowly and tends toward the lower end.

What is the difference between OP, BOP, and BOPF?

OP (Orange Pekoe) is whole-leaf — light, aromatic, suited to premium loose leaf. BOP (Broken Orange Pekoe) is a broken grade — stronger, faster-brewing, suited to teabags and blends. BOPF (Broken Orange Pekoe Fannings) is the finest grade — quick-brewing with full colour, ideal for high-volume commercial teabag filling.

What is the minimum order for Ceylon black tea wholesale?

Minimum order is 500kg for bulk loose leaf across all grades (OP, BOP, BOPF). Private label production — including custom branding and packaging — is available from 50,000 units. Lead time for a first order is 6–8 weeks.

Need Grade-Specific Ceylon Black Tea for Your Production Line?

Request OP, BOP, or BOPF samples or get a wholesale quote.