Orange pekoe

orange pekoe - www.healthnote25.com

Orange pekoe is one classification of black tea based on the origin of the leaves. To be classified as pekoe, tea should be taken from the new plant part.

This new plant part consists of flower buds picked along with the two youngest leaves. (Tea leaves on other parts produce lower quality teas.)

A common misconception is that Orange Pekoe is regarded as one type of tea with the scent of oranges, or always associated with citrus fruits.

In fact, Orange Pekoe has nothing to do with the aroma of the tea. Tea was first imported into Europe by Dutch East India Company in 1610 (green tea from Japan). Soon afterward, the company also imported Chinese tea and promoted it successfully, as evidenced by the persistence of the term 'Orange Pekoe' in trade.

Pekoe is a word adjustment from Bai Hao (or Pak-Ho), Chinese for white shoots, used to refer to leaf buds that are not curled and covered by a white layer, which is a sure sign of young leaves and is therefore the most delicious tea.

Initially the tea with this quality brought to Holland is likely to be presented to the royal family, the House of Orange, and by the genius marketing genius, this type of Bai Hao tea was promoted to the Dutch community as Orange Pekoe to give the impression of a royal quality assurance.