FTGFOP
Definition
Stands for Finest Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe - the highest standard grade in the orthodox black tea grading system used primarily for Indian teas. Each letter adds a quality superlative: Orange Pekoe (OP) is the base whole-leaf grade, with Flowery, Golden, Tippy, and Finest stacked on top. Sometimes jokingly expanded as 'Far Too Good For Ordinary People.'
Why it matters
FTGFOP is the grade you'll see on premium Darjeeling and Assam teas. While grading doesn't guarantee flavor quality, it tells you about leaf size, tip content, and processing care. Understanding the system helps you decode tea labels and compare value across vendors.