What Is Orange Pekoe? Black Tea Grades Explained

In short: orange pekoe (OP) is not a flavor and has nothing to do with oranges. It is a grade for whole black tea leaves, used mostly for teas from India and Sri Lanka. Letters added in front, like FOP or TGFOP, mean more buds and golden tips; a "B" means the leaves are broken. The grade tells you about the leaf, and the leaf tells you how to brew it.

If you grew up with a box of "orange pekoe" in the cupboard, you probably thought it was a type of tea. It is really a label for leaf size and shape. Once you know how the grades work, a tea label full of letters starts to make sense, and you can choose a cup that fits your taste.

Where the name comes from

"Pekoe" most likely comes from the Chinese bai hao, meaning "white down", the fine hairs on young tea buds. Early European traders used it for teas with plenty of these downy tips.

"Orange" is less clear. The most common story links it to the Dutch House of Orange-Nassau, since Dutch merchants brought early tea to Europe and "orange" sounded royal. Another theory points to the copper-orange color of well-oxidized leaves. Either way, the word stuck and became part of the grading system tea estates still use today.

The tea grading ladder

Grades describe whole leaves, broken leaves, and the small pieces left after sorting. Here is how the main ones line up:

A simple way to read a label: the more letters before "OP", the more buds and tips. An extra "B" means the leaf is broken, which brews faster and stronger.

What about CTC?

CTC stands for "crush, tear, curl". Instead of rolling whole leaves, machines cut them into tiny hard pellets. CTC tea brews dark and malty in a minute or two, which is why it is popular for masala chai and strong breakfast cups.

Does the grade change the taste?

Yes, but not the way people often expect. Grade is about leaf size, not quality.

• Whole leaf grades (OP, FOP, TGFOP): a smoother, more layered cup. Golden tips add honey and malt notes. These leaves need a bit more time to open.
• Broken grades (BOP): a fuller body and more color in less time. Great with milk.
• Fannings and dust: fast and strong, but flatter in flavor. Fine for a quick bag, less interesting on their own.

Where a tea comes from matters as much as its grade. An Assam TGFOP tastes malty and bold; a Darjeeling FTGFOP is lighter, floral and bright. A Ceylon OP is crisp with a citrusy edge, which may be one more reason the "orange" name feels right.

How to brew orange pekoe and other grades

Black tea likes hot water. Use these numbers as a starting point and adjust to taste.

Step by step:

1. Warm your teapot or cup with a splash of hot water, then pour it out.
2. Add the leaves and pour freshly heated water over them.
3. Steep for the time above, then lift out the infuser or strain.
4. Taste plain first. Add milk or a little sugar if you like a rounder cup.

Whole leaves can often be steeped a second time. Add a minute and expect a lighter, sweeter cup. For more ratios, see our guide on how much loose leaf tea to use per cup.

How to choose your orange pekoe

• For a daily breakfast cup with milk: an Assam OP or BOP gives body and malt. Our Surajamukhi Assam Orange Pekoe is a good place to start.
• For drinking plain: try a whole leaf Ceylon such as Orange Pekoe Ceylon, or a tippy Darjeeling FOP and up, like Margaret's Hope Second Flush Darjeeling.
• For iced tea: a Ceylon OP stays clear and bright when chilled.
• For chai: CTC or broken leaf holds up to spices and milk.

Browse our full range of black tea, or start with a classic Earl Grey, which is usually made on a whole or broken black tea base. If you love spiced cups, our chai teas show how well broken leaf works with milk.

Frequently asked questions

Is orange pekoe tea orange flavored?

No. Orange pekoe has nothing to do with oranges. It is a grade that describes whole black tea leaves of a certain size and shape.

Does orange pekoe have caffeine?

Yes. Orange pekoe is black tea, so a cup usually has about 40 to 70 mg of caffeine, depending on how much leaf you use and how long it steeps.

What is the difference between orange pekoe and pekoe?

Orange pekoe (OP) is a whole, long leaf. Pekoe on its own usually means shorter, coarser whole leaves that sit a step below OP on the grading ladder.

What does FTGFOP stand for?

Finest Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe. It means whole leaves with plenty of golden tips (buds), the kind of grade you often see on fine Darjeeling and Assam teas.

Is a higher grade always better tea?

Not always. The grade describes leaf size and how many tips there are, not taste. A well-made broken grade can make a richer cup than a poorly made whole leaf.