What is Orange Pekoe Tea?
Orange pekoe tea is a type of black tea that is made from the small, delicate leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. Most people who drink it do so as an alternative to coffee or other caffeinated beverages in the morning. Sri Lanka (Ceylon) is a country that predominantly produces Pekoe tea. Pekoe is one of the highest grades, next to Orange pekoe, and describes the size of the leaf used to make the tea. Amazingly enough, the harvested leaves are graded as orange pekoe once they're withered. They then need to be rolled and heated before being allowed to ferment. It's a popular tea variety and is often labeled as black tea, but oolong teas are sometimes made the same way too.
Orange pekoe is a type of tea that gets its name from the Dutch House of Orange (House of Orange-Nassau - A branch of the European House of Nassau) The best leaves were kept for the royals and it was only they who were able to enjoy it. Vendors used the Dutch royal house's favorite color of orange to show that their leaves are the same.
What Makes Orange Pekoe So Special?
What makes orange pekoe tea so special is the variety of flavors that it offers. There are many types of orange pekoe, such as black, green, white, and oolong tea. Much like the different colors in a rainbow, each type of orange pekoe is distinct in its way by providing different benefits to the drinker.
Orange Pekoe is the lowest grade of loose leaf tea, but it still indicates high quality and has the whole leaves, not just dust and fragments. It's understood that Orange Pekoe stands for the finest, most high-quality kind of tea available on the market. The word "blend," about tea, can be rather general and vague. Other types of tea are made from better quality leaves, such as FOP (Flowery Orange Pekoe), GFOP (Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe), TGFOP (Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe), and FTGFOP. Apart from whole and with tea bags, there is also a range of graded tea dust and; fanning. Tea dust has a lower quality than whole and broken leaves but some people prefer them to coffee grounds. They are primarily used by big coffee chains for their tea bags, but we only provide pure leaves here.
In general, OP is an indication that the tea is loose leaf and of medium to high quality. When a B is added, it means that the leaves are broken. This makes for a stronger tea. An F signifies that the tea is of higher quality and contains the buds of the tea plant. Fine is sometimes used to mean finest when it's used as the first word in the grade of tea. The F stands for the highest quality and most expensive."G stands for "golden" and indicates that this tea is made up of the finest tips of the plant used. T stands for Tippy and indicates a high ratio of buds."
What Benefits does Drinking Orange Pekoe Give You?
OP Tea has antibacterial benefits that support healthy digestion and lowers your risk of obesity and immunity deficiency.
Although more research is pending, it has been shown that polyphenols and flavons have a positive effect on your cardiovascular system. They help lower the risk of heart disease and; reduce bad cholesterol levels.
OP can also help to maintain a healthy mind. One of the main ingredients, caffeine + L-theanine, has a positive effect on your mind by providing the energy you need for concentration.
The OP leaf contains high levels of antioxidants, especially in the form of flavonoids. This means that black tea made from the leaf can reduce free radicals and help repair damaged cells in your body.
Making a Cup of Orange Pekoe Tea at Home
There are many different types of kettles. The water level is an important detail, as it affects the brewing time- usually, a cup can contain 220 ml.
Always start with a clean water source - spring water is the best (never reuse the water you’ve already boiled for a previous pot of tea).
Put the tea bag in the mug and pour boiling water over it. Let it brew for a few minutes (for a stronger cup brew it for about 5 minutes), then remove the tea bag. Give it a gentle stir.
To sweeten your tea, you can add a touch of sugar or cream or even some lemon. But most people just opt for the sugar!
If your tea is a little too hot for your liking, don't worry! You can put it in the fridge and wait until it's cold before enjoying it with ice cubes. This can make a nice iced drink that you enjoy during summer.
To ensure you are drinking the best tea, it's important to know how to tell the difference between types. For example, Orange Pekoe tea is one of the most popular options among tea lovers and there are several different types to choose from. Everybody has their favorite type of tea, which is why we think it's important to find the perfect blend for your current mood. Different teas might evoke various feelings, so try out all sorts and find one that suits you!
Thank you for reading, we are always excited when one of our posts can provide useful information on a topic like this!
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