China Black Tea OP Loose Leaf

Orange Pekoe, abbreviated as OP, black tea might sound like a specific kind of tea, but it’s actually a system of grading Indian black teas according to the size and quality of their leaves. Whether they’ve enjoyed a cup at a restaurant or have simply heard the name before, many people new to the tea world mistake Orange Pekoe for a flavored black tea. In reality, a grade of Orange Pekoe or OP can refer to almost any loose leaf black tea.

Orange Pekoe doesn’t refer to an orange-flavored tea, or even a tea that brews up an orange-y copper color. Instead, Orange Pekoe refers to a particular grade of black tea. The origin of the phrase “Orange Pekoe” is unclear. The term may be a transliteration of a Chinese phrase referring to the downy tips of the buds of tea plants. The name may also have had its origins in the Dutch House of Orange-Nassau in association with the Dutch East India Company, who helped popularize tea throughout Europe.

It is said that being graded as Orange Pekoe is still an indicator of quality, and indicates that the tea is composed of whole loose leaves, rather than the dust and fragments that are left over after higher grade teas have been processed. Represented by the letters OP, Orange Pekoe can also be understood as an umbrella term that includes other higher grades of tea. In general, Orange Pekoe or OP denotes that the tea is loose leaf and of medium to high quality.

Our OP black teas are from Yunnan province, which is the most traditional and typical fermented teas what represent the good quality of the China black teas. Only fine gold leaves were used to create these delicious teas, they have the exquisite taste, strong and aromatic infusion of amber color. It is a perfect tea for all who appreciate the taste of black tea.

Black tea  ｜  Yunnan   ｜  Complete fermentation   ｜  Spring and Summer