Assam CTC versus Darjeeling Orthodox, what BP/BOP/PD/Dust mean in the cup, and the moisture and MRL specs to lock for EU and Japan.
Tea buyers usually arrive knowing the cup they want but not the grade code that gets them there. Two big Indian families cover most of it: Assam CTC for strong milk tea, and Darjeeling Orthodox for the delicate, aromatic end.
Assam CTC and the BP/BOP/PD/Dust ladder
CTC (crush, tear, curl) gives the strong, malty liquor that holds up to milk — the staple for chai and tea-bag blends. The grades describe particle size, not quality on their own: BP and BOP are broken grades, PD is finer, and Dust is finest and fastest-brewing. Coarser grades give a brighter loose-leaf cup; finer grades suit tea bags and quick, strong infusions.
- BP / BOP: broken grades, brisk and full
- PD: finer particle, quicker colour
- Dust: finest, fast strong brew, tea-bag friendly
- Pick the grade by your end format, not by name alone
Darjeeling, Nilgiri and the lighter styles
Darjeeling is GI-tagged Orthodox whole-leaf — muscatel character, first flush lighter and floral, second flush rounder and fruitier, and priced accordingly. Nilgiri is fragrant and brisk, a reliable blender. We also handle green and white teas and masala/herbal blends. A word of caution: real Darjeeling volumes are limited, so treat suspiciously cheap "Darjeeling" with care.
Specs and the MRL question
These are indicative; final values are agreed on the contract and confirmed on the CoA per lot, shipped via Nhava Sheva or Kolkata depending on origin.
- Grade and garden/region
- Moisture, typically below ~6%
- Liquor/cup against an approved sample
- Pesticide MRL — strict for EU and Japan, confirm to destination
- Private-label and custom blending available
Tip: For EU or Japan, settle the MRL panel and the lab before you talk volume — tea is one of the most-tested categories at those borders, and an approved sample with a matching CoA saves a held container later.
Frequently asked questions
Can you supply supermarket retail packs and tea bags under our brand?
Yes. Beyond bulk loose-leaf packing, our single-window private-label service designs your pack and label, fills supermarket-ready retail packs — tea bags, cartons, pouches and caddies — and delivers on DAP terms to your warehouse. Blending and packing are at our audited partner facility under our oversight; import duties and taxes remain your account.
Which teas and grades can you source?
Assam CTC in BP, BOP, PD and Dust, Darjeeling Orthodox by flush, and Nilgiri. We agree the garden type, grade and flush on the contract and confirm on the CoA.
Will it clear EU or Japan MRL checks?
EU and Japan MRLs on tea are strict, so we test at an accredited partner lab for the relevant residues and ship with a CoA against the agreed spec. We do not promise a blanket pass; we set the spec on contract and test each lot.
Is Darjeeling genuine GI tea?
Darjeeling carries a GI, and we source accordingly with supporting documentation. Moisture is held under 6% to protect quality in transit.
Can you do private label or blending?
Yes, private label and blending are available through our partner facility under our oversight, with the recipe and pack agreed in advance.
Sourcing this from India? Let's get you a quote.
Send your specification and target quantity — we reply with pricing, samples and lead time within 12 business hours. No obligation.
Product, grade, quantity & destination market.
Pricing, sample & lead time within 12 business hours.
Start with a low-MOQ LCL order, scale to full containers.