Does Orange Pekoe have an orange scent? Here's the answer to this simple question, along with the origin of its name and the grading of black tea.

Starting with Earl Grey, it’s common to enjoy black tea infused with citrus aromas, so you might imagine an orange scent when you first see Orange Pekoe. However, unfortunately, Orange Pekoe does not express an orange aroma. In this article, we will introduce the origin of the name Orange Pekoe and provide an overview of black tea grading.

Origin of the Name Orange Pekoe

The “orange” in Orange Pekoe comes from the color of the brewed black tea, which appears orange. Additionally, “Pekoe” is derived from the Chinese term “橙黄白豪” (diopoe), where “Pekoe” refers to the fine fibers covering the surface of young tea buds, which is a characteristic of rare new shoots. In other words, it implies that “the black tea brewed from leaves made from rare new buds with Pekoe is orange in color.”

Black Tea Grading

Orange Pekoe (OP) is one category indicating the grade of black tea. This grade is classified based on the shape and size of the tea leaves, but it does not reflect the superiority or inferiority of flavor or quality. Other grades include:

BOP (Broken Orange Pekoe): Tea leaves that are cut finer than OP.
BOPF (Broken Orange Pekoe Fannings): Even finer than BOP, including the smaller pieces known as fannings.
F (Fannings): Small fragments of cut tea leaves that brew quickly.
D (Dust): A powdery form of finely crushed tea leaves, often used in tea bags.

Grading Does Not Indicate Quality

The grading of black tea indicates the size and shape of the leaves, and it does not imply quality superiority or inferiority. Since the characteristics of tea leaves vary by grade, they serve different purposes based on how they are enjoyed and personal preferences.