Orange Pekoe Tea
Superior quality 100% pure Ceylon Tea Natural Ingredients Free from artificial additives
Orange Pekoe (OP) is a premium whole-leaf grade of Ceylon black tea, prized for one of the smoothest, most graceful cups in the catalogue. Ours is a single-estate OP from the legendary, award-winning Pettiagalla Estate in Balangoda, Sabaragamuwa — gardens established in 1880, with tea grown between 509 and 1,097 metres.
The leaf is long and well twisted; the liquor is bright amber-red with a delicate forest aroma and gentle caramel sweetness. Steep a little longer than broken grades. For a larger-leaf OP style, see Royal Indulgence.
How to brew Orange Pekoe Tea
From the legendary Pettiagalla Estate in Balangoda, Sabaragamuwa, our long, stylish OP leaf unfurls into a bright amber-red cup — smooth, with the gentle caramel sweetness Sabaragamuwa teas are loved for. Water just off the boil and a few minutes reveal its full character.
Smooth, mellow and naturally sweet, with soft caramel notes and a hint of smoke — a single-estate, whole-leaf Ceylon to slow down and savour. Steep for 3 minutes for a brighter, lighter cup, or a little longer for a richer, rounder one. The whole leaf rewards a second infusion; steep it slightly shorter for a mellow follow-up cup. Best enjoyed plain to appreciate its natural character, or with a little honey or sugar. If you like milk, steep for the full 5 minutes first.
Details
Where It's Grown
Sabaragamuwa stretches from the foothills of the central mountains toward the southern plains, a lush land of rivers, rainforest and the gem-rich soils of Ratnapura. At 600 to 900 metres, warmth and fertile ground let the leaf grow quickly and generously, producing a smooth, rich reddish-brown infusion with soft caramel notes and a gentle natural sweetness.
Our Orange Pekoe Tea (OP grade) brings this character to the cup: smooth and delicately sweet.
This is one of the wettest corners of the island. The southwest monsoon pours in from May to September and keeps the bushes flushing almost all year. The drier months of January to March bring the sweetest, most concentrated cups.
What is Orange Pekoe tea?
Orange Pekoe — OP on the grade charts — is a whole-leaf grade of black tea, not a flavour, and nothing to do with the fruit. “Pekoe” traces to the Chinese bai hao (白毫), the fine down on young tea buds; the “orange” is popularly attributed to the Dutch House of Orange, whose nobility helped turn tea into a European luxury. As a grade, OP means long, whole, well-twisted leaves.
Because the leaf is intact, OP infuses more slowly than broken grades and pours a smoother, lighter cup — the opposite of the quick, punchy brew you get from broken leaf or fannings. It is a grade for sipping, not a recipe.
Pettiagalla Estate
Pettiagalla Estate
This Orange Pekoe is a single-estate Ceylon black tea from the legendary, award-winning Pettiagalla Estate in Balangoda, Sabaragamuwa. The gardens date from 1880 and remain a dedicated tea plantation of about 329 hectares, at 509–1,097 metres.
- Location
- Balangoda, Sabaragamuwa, Sri Lanka
- Estate
- Pettiagalla
- Elevation
- 509–1,097 metres
- Grade
- OP (Orange Pekoe)
- Origin
- Single-estate Ceylon
OP is a whole-leaf grade: longer, well-twisted leaf that infuses more slowly than broken grades, giving a lighter golden-red liquor and a smooth, forest-like cup.
Taste profile and strength
Expect a light golden-red liquor with a smooth, forest-like character and a gentle, slightly smoky aroma — a sipping tea rather than a blunt morning hit. Whole OP leaf gives the cup finesse: less brute strength than a broken-grade breakfast tea, more clarity of flavour.
Want more body? Steep a little longer, or sweeten with a splash of honey or sugar — skip milk so the delicate liquor stays bright.
Caffeine in Orange Pekoe tea
We have not published a lab assay for this lot, so treat milligram figures as a typical range, not a promise. Ceylon black tea brewed as we recommend (2 g / 200 ml, 3–5 minutes, 95 °C) usually falls around 40–70 mg of caffeine per cup — less than drip coffee and more than most green teas. A shorter steep (about 2–3 minutes) extracts less caffeine and a lighter cup.
Orange Pekoe vs English Breakfast vs Earl Grey
Orange Pekoe is a whole-leaf grade, not a flavour: long, intact leaves that infuse slowly into a lighter golden-red cup.
Ceylon English Breakfast is a broken grade (FBOP) from Dimbula — smaller, tippy leaf that brews faster and stronger, closer to a traditional breakfast mug. Ceylon Earl Grey is black tea scented with bergamot — choose it when you want citrus aroma.
In short: buy OP for a smoother, slower sipping tea; buy English Breakfast for brisk morning strength; buy Earl Grey for the bergamot.
Best ways to enjoy
The afternoon is this tea’s natural slot — plain, or with a splash of honey or sugar. On hot days, brew double strength and pour over ice. The 80 g gift tin makes an easy present for anyone who takes their tea seriously, with the 240 g pack as the everyday refill.
Free shipping on qualifying orders over $85.
Frequently Asked Questions
Orange Pekoe (OP) is a Ceylon leaf grade of long, whole black tea leaves—not a flavour. It brews a smoother, lighter cup than broken grades such as BOP.
At the legendary, award-winning Pettiagalla Estate in Balangoda, Sabaragamuwa, Sri Lanka, at 509–1,097 metres—single-estate Ceylon black tea packed for Australia.
Use 2 g per 200 ml at 95°C for 3–5 minutes. Whole OP leaf takes slightly longer than fannings or broken leaf.
Yes. Choose 80 g loose leaf, 80 g with a gift tin, or 240 g loose leaf. Free shipping on orders over $85.
We have not published a lab assay for this lot, so treat milligram figures as a typical range, not a promise. Ceylon black tea brewed as we recommend (2 g / 200 ml, 3–5 minutes, 95 °C) usually falls around 40–70 mg of caffeine per cup — less than drip coffee and more than most green teas. A shorter steep (about 2–3 minutes) extracts less caffeine and a lighter cup.
“Pekoe” comes from the Chinese bai hao — the fine white down on young tea buds. The “orange” is popularly attributed to the Dutch House of Orange, whose nobility helped turn tea into a European luxury. The name is about royal fashion and leaf grade — not orange fruit or orange flavour.
A light golden-red liquor with a smooth, forest-like character and a gentle, slightly smoky aroma. Whole OP leaf brews a softer, more delicate cup than broken grades — finesse rather than brute strength. Steep a little longer for more body, or sweeten with a splash of honey or sugar.
They are different leaf grades with different jobs. Our Ceylon English Breakfast is a broken FBOP from Dimbula: it brews faster and stronger, closer to a traditional breakfast mug. This Orange Pekoe is whole-leaf OP from Pettiagalla Estate: slower to infuse, lighter and smoother. Buy OP for relaxed sipping; buy English Breakfast for a brisk morning cup.
Best plain so the forest-like Ceylon character stays clear — milk can flatten this lighter liquor. A splash of honey or sugar suits the cup well. It also makes a clean iced tea: brew double strength and pour over ice. See the brewing guide on this page for full steps.
Customer Rating
4.9
Based on 30 reviews
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“A fine example of an Orange Pekoe”
The flavour is excellent and certainly surpasses the other brands have tried. There is an underlying sweetness to it and a hint of a fruity aroma that make this a very relaxing drink.
“I love this tea”
it's really smooth and comforting. This is a really pleasing cup of tea.
“Perfect and flowery”
Aromatic, flowery, smooth
