Orange pekoe is a type of black tea made from the young terminal buds or young leaves of plant called Camellia sinensis. It is a fine grade of black tea according to the tea grading system. The tea has a rich forest like scent.
Orange pekoe is grade name or grading given by the tea trade to the black tea. The grading of the black tea is based on the leaf appearance, such as finely curled leaf, finely rolled leaf, hairy leaf tip and other parameters of the quality of the black tea. Costing is also done according to the quality, freshness and appearance.
The word pekoe was made popular by the British tea tycoon, Sir Thomas Lipton. The tea leaves produce slightly orange colour after complete oxidation. This gave origin to the word orange prior to pekoe and the word ‘orange’ was given by the Dutch East India Company. India, Sri Lanka and America are the largest tea producers in the world.
There is a high amount of aroma imparting constituents present in the tea leaves. Some are retained and the others are lost during the processing of tea leaves. Carbohydrates impart sweetness to the tea, helps with oxidation and polyphenol formation in the new and young leaves.
Polyphenols, including theophylline, theobromine and alkaloid caffeine provide bitterness to the tea. The young leaves and the buds have highest concentration of caffeine and polyphenols, but the content decreases as we move down the plant.
Flavonoids that contribute in the health benefits include epicatechin, catechins, gallocatechin, and epigallocatechin gallate. All of them are responsible for various important medicinal properties.
L- Theanine, an amino acid, present in the tea improves memory, learning and reduces stress. Black tea also contains some volatile oils like, beta pinene, alpha cadinol are responsible for the special aroma.
Benefits of Orange Pekoe
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Improves Metabolism: It speeds up the metabolism, and hence contributes to weight loss.
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Improves Heart Health: Black tea consumption is helpful for the heart, especially for the blood vessels of the heart. It reduces the chances of heart ailments, especially heart attack.
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Fights Free Radicals: Rutin, an oxidant, present in orange pekoe helps to prevent tissue damage and combat free radicals.
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Prevents Premature Aging: Due to the presence of rutin, orange pekoe also helps in prevention of premature aging. It imparts younger look to the skin.
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Prevents Cancer: Polyphenols present in Orange Pekoe tea can prevent cancer and slow down its growth.
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Reduces Inflammation: Orange pekoe black tea works as anti-inflammatory agent, since it blocks the inflammation related pathways.
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Boosts Immunity: It boosts the immune system and prevents you from recurrently falling ill. It provides enough resistance against various throat infections, flu and the common cold, prevents throat pain and tonsillitis.
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Improves Energy Level: It boosts energy level, relieves tension and stress. It provides mental and psychological calmness.
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Improves Mental Health: It improves mental concentration, cognitive functions and alertness. It inhibits restlessness, anxiety and depression.
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Improves Digestion: Orange pekoe improves digestion when taken in regulated amount and prevents several digestive ailments.
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Relieves Headache: It also helps in relieving throbbing headache.
Therapeutic value of orange pekoe makes it a part of Weight Watchers Tea made by Preserva Wellness.