How CTC tea is graded
CTC stands for crush, tear, curl. The factory runs the withered leaf through rollers that cut it into small granules, then ferments and dries it and sieves it into grades by size. Larger granules brew more slowly; smaller ones colour the water in seconds.
The grades fall into two groups. Primary grades (BP1, PF1, PD and D1) carry most of the value. Secondary grades, such as fannings, dust and BMF, sell at lower prices for economy blends.
The main grades
| Grade | Name | Particle | In the cup | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BP1 | Broken Pekoe 1 | Largest primary granule | Bright, brisk, full-bodied | Loose tea and blends that want a bold granule |
| PF1 | Pekoe Fannings 1 | Medium to small | Quick colour, strong | Tea bags and fast-brewing loose blends |
| PD | Pekoe Dust | Small | Very fast, dark and strong | Strong tea bags, catering |
| D1 | Dust 1 | Finest primary grade | Fast and thick | Tea bags, economical blends |
| Fannings | Secondary grade | Small, mixed | Lighter than PF1 | High-volume tea bags, blending |
| BMF | Broken Mixed Fannings | Mixed sizes | Plain | Economy blending |
See what each grade costs this month in our price guide.
Reading an auction lot
Each lot in a Mombasa catalogue lists the selling mark (the factory), the grade, the invoice number, the number of packages and their net weight. Buyers taste a sample of every lot before the sale.
Lots of the same grade from different factories can taste very different, so we shortlist by tasting, not by grade alone.
Orthodox, green and purple tea
Kenya also makes whole-leaf orthodox black tea, green tea and purple tea, a Kenyan variety rich in anthocyanins. Kenyan law lets orthodox and specialty teas be sold outside the auction, and since September 2025 Mombasa has also held a dedicated orthodox tea auction.
Which grade should you buy?
- Loose tea brewed with milk and sugar: BP1 or PF1 for a bold, bright cup.
- Tea bags: PF1, PD and D1, which colour fast.
- Economy blends: fannings and BMF alongside a primary grade.
Send us a sample of the tea you buy today and we will match it.
Questions
What does BP1 mean?
Broken Pekoe 1, the largest granule among the primary CTC grades. It gives a bright, brisk cup and is used in loose tea and blends.
What is the difference between PF1 and PD?
PF1 (Pekoe Fannings 1) is a slightly larger granule than PD (Pekoe Dust). PD brews faster and darker; PF1 balances speed and brightness.
Which Kenyan grades are used in tea bags?
Mainly PF1, PD and D1, with fannings in economy blends, because small particles colour the water quickly.