pekoe

Peko e is a traditional term used in the tea trade to describe a class of tea leaves, particularly for black tea, by size and apparent quality. The word is part of a broader grading system that distinguishes leaf characteristics rather than flavor alone, with terms such as pekoe, orange pekoe, and broken orange pekoe describing different leaf sizes and forms.

In general, pekoe-style grades refer to whole or mostly intact leaves of moderate to large size, often with some young buds or tips. This contrasts with broken pekoe and related categories that denote shorter, broken leaves or fannings, and with dust grades used for lower-end blends. Common paired labels in this system include orange pekoe (OP), flowery orange pekoe (FOP or FP depending on market), and broken orange pekoe (BOP). The presence of tips and leaf integrity often influences price and perceived quality, but does not by itself determine flavor or strength, which are also shaped by processing, terroir, and blending.

Origin and usage are tied to historic European trade in tea, with the term appearing in the 19th century. The “orange” in orange pekoe is traditionally linked to the Dutch royal house and a conventional marketing symbol rather than a specific taste. In modern markets, “pekoe” can appear on packaging as a conventional label to suggest higher-grade leaf, but the term’s meaning varies by country and producer, and not all brands apply it consistently.

Overall, pekoe is a leaf-grade designation within tea grading systems, primarily indicating leaf size and appearance rather than a defined flavor profile.