All About Golden Orange Pekoe Tea
Here’s the deal: orange pekoe tea has nothing to do with the fruit orange, nor is it ‘orange’ flavored tea. In a nutshell, orange pekoe is a type of black tea. It is classified based on the origin of the tea leaves. To be classified as orange pekoe tea, the leaves must be made up entirely of the new flushes.
In other words, orange pekoe refers to the categorization of black tea based on the leaf’s size and its location on the tea plant.
Pekoe or ‘pek-ho’ is Chinese for ‘white hair,’ which comes from the appearance of the down-like hairs on the tea leaves. These hairs are the smallest and youngest on the plant.
Where Did the ‘Orange’ Part Come From?
This bit has more to do with history. In the 1600s, the Dutch Royal Family of the House of Orange brought this tea to Europe. They reserved the best grade of black tea for the royals. When it was introduced into the market, vendors preferred to call it ‘orange’ pekoe, thus associating themselves with royalty!
But this classification is not all. There are many permutations and combinations of tea leaves that have given rise to different grading systems, including TGFOP, GFOP, and GFOP.
Health Benefits of Orange Pekoe Tea
Orange pekoe tea has plenty of health benefits, such as reducing oxidation in the body. Studies suggest that black tea (orange pekoe tea is a grade of black tea) is almost as effective with its antioxidant properties as green tea. The antioxidants in orange pekoe fight free radicals and keep the body healthy at a cellular level. Since the human body is always experiencing free radical damage, orange pekoe tea is beneficial if it’s incorporated into one’s diet.
Since orange pekoe tea is a type of black tea, it offers all the health benefits of black tea, regardless of its grade. Here are some of the main benefits of orange pekoe tea.
Rich in Antioxidants
Like most black teas, orange pekoe tea has a rich polyphenols content, which are compounds that help reduce oxidation in the body. Studies suggest that black tea is as effective as green tea at delivering these antioxidants to our bodies.
Drinking orange pekoe tea lets your body absorb these antioxidants and helps you prevent the harmful effects of ever-present, unstable free radicals.
Studies suggest that orange pekoe tea extracts work in synergy with antibiotics to combat pathogens that are commonly associated with intestinal infections. This is also true for green tea. The combination of tea and drug can fight against E. coli, multiple strains of salmonella, and Shigella dysenteriae.
Golden Orange Pekoe Tea - Tin Can
A special grade of black tea grown only in selected areas of the Darjeeling tea growing district at the foothills of the Himalayas. This expertly manufactured offering involves each tea leaf tenderly plucked and masterly processed to create a very fine and flavoury cup of tea.
Keeps the Heart Healthy
Another study reports that black tea is also great for lowering cholesterol, blood pressure, and inflammation. So, regular drinking can help maintain a healthy heart.
Improves Brain Health
The same study also reported that black tea helps improve our brain health, which is not surprising given that many teas help improve brain function, focus, and overall health.
Many people suffer from endothelial dysfunction, which is one of the primary causes of heart disease. One study found that regular consumption of orange pekoe and other varieties of black tea can prevent this condition, which could lower the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Also, black tea contains flavonoid and polyphenols compounds that go a long way in improving cardiovascular health
Promotes Weight Loss
Green tea is well-known for helping weight loss. One study published that polyphenol-rich black teas like orange pekoe tea can promote weight loss too. They may even be more effective for weight loss than some green teas.
There are a few reasons for this, including that black tea affects metabolism and reduces the absorption of fats in the intestine. Moreover, it prevents obesity by improving how our bodies control glucose and insulin.
Golden Orange Pekoe - Royal Brocade Cloth Bag
A special grade of black tea grown only in selected areas of the Darjeeling tea growing distinct at the foothills of the Himalayas. This expertly manufactured offering involves each tea leaf tenderly plucked and masterly processed to create a very fine and flavoury cup of tea.
May Prevent Disease
The high antioxidant content of orange pekoe tea and similar black teas may help prevent diseases like cancer. Food science studies suggest that certain compounds in black tea can help slow the growth and spread of cancerous cells in our bodies.
The presence of polyphenols in orange pekoe tea can slow, if not stop, the growth of cancer cells. These antioxidants can prevent damage to cellular DNA and keep cancer at bay.
They may also help the production of healthy new cells because they prevent mutations from being replicated on the cellular level.
Conclusion
In short, if you were wondering how healthy orange pekoe tea is, we can confirm that it is as healthy as any black tea, and perhaps more depending on its grading. It may even be healthier than green tea for certain health benefits, like weight loss.
However, green tea is more popular, so there is more conclusive research behind it than there is for black or orange pekoe tea. Regardless, the mentioned benefits of orange pekoe tea are enough for anyone to incorporate 2-3 cups of it in their daily nutrition.
You can study more about this in the July 2005 issue of the “Indian Journal of Medical Research.”
At Golden Tips Tea, we stock up on authentic and 100% original orange pekoe tea leaves and other grades of black tea. Click here to fill your cup with the very best tea that can be grown in the world.
