Dry Leaf Terminology

Bloom – A sign of good manufacture evident as a sheen which has not been removed from the leaf due to over-handling.
Choppy – Orthodox leaf which has been cut by a breaker during sorting.
Clean – Free from dust and other extraneous material.
Curly – The appearance of whole leaf teas such as Orange Pekoe that would stand in contrast to those leaves which would be described as "wiry." See below.
Even – True to grade and of homogenous size.
Musty – A tea with a mildewed taint apparent in its aroma.
Nose – The aroma of the dried leaf.
Tip or Tippy – A sign of fine quality plucking found only in the finest grades of loose leaf teas. Usually evident as a striated color within the leaf.
Wiry – Leaf appearance of a well-twisted, needle-like Orthodox tea leaf.