Orange Pekoe Black Tea
Auto-generated content. This description was generated automatically and is pending editorial review. Inaccuracies are possible. Found a mistake? Contact us.
What it is
Orange Pekoe is not a flavor but a grade of black tea, indicating a high quality of whole leaf tea. It is made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, which are withered, rolled, oxidized, and dried. The term 'Orange Pekoe' refers to the size and appearance of the tea leaves, not to the color orange or any citrus fruit.
Why it's used
Orange Pekoe is primarily used as a standalone tea beverage, either hot or iced. It is also used as a base flavor in many blended teas and some ready-to-drink tea products. Its characteristic brisk flavor and aroma are its main functional attributes.
Health notes
Orange Pekoe is considered a food ingredient and is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA when used as intended. Like other black teas, it contains caffeine and antioxidants, such as flavonoids. Consumption of tea is associated with various health benefits in peer-reviewed literature, though research is ongoing. The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) has evaluated tea and its components.
Allergen info
Orange Pekoe is not derived from any of the 9 major allergens. It is gluten-free.