Definition

Noun: * A superior grade of black tea: Orange pekoe is a classification for high-quality black tea, typically consisting of whole, unbroken tea leaves. It is not a flavor but a grade indicating leaf size and quality. This grade is commonly grown in regions like India, Sri Lanka (Ceylon), and Java.

Usage

• Orange pekoe refers specifically to the grade of the tea leaf. It is often the base for many popular black tea blends.
• It is used as a countable noun (e.g., ) or, more commonly, as an uncountable noun to describe the type of tea.

Examples

• "For breakfast, I prefer a strong cup of orange pekoe."
• "This tea shop sells several orange pekoes from different estates in Sri Lanka."
• "The label indicates that this blend contains a high proportion of orange pekoe."

Advanced Usage

• The term "orange pekoe" is often part of a broader grading system, such as "FTGFOP1" (Finest Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe 1), which denotes an even higher quality within the orange pekoe category.
• Contrary to a common misconception, "orange" does not refer to a citrus flavor. Its origin is debated but may relate to the Dutch House of Orange-Nassau or the coppery color of the oxidized leaf.

Variants and Related Words

• Pekoe (noun): A tea grade with slightly larger leaves than orange pekoe, often considered one grade lower.
• Black tea (noun): The general category of fully oxidized tea leaves to which orange pekoe belongs.
• Tea leaf grades: This is part of a system that includes terms like Flowery Orange Pekoe (FOP), Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe (GFOP), and Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe (TGFOP).

Synonyms

• High-grade black tea
• Whole-leaf black tea (as opposed to broken grades or dust)

Notes on Meaning

• Primary Meaning: A specific, high-quality grade of black tea based on leaf size and wholeness.
• Important Clarification: It is not a tea flavored with orange. The "orange" is part of the historical grading name.

Noun

1. a superior grade of black tea; grown in India and Sri Lanka and Java