pekoe

[ pee-koh ]

noun

1. a superior kind of black tea from Sri Lanka, India, and Java, made from leaves coarser than those used for orange pekoe.

pekoe

/ ˈpiːkəʊ /

noun

1. a high-quality tea made from the downy tips of the young buds of the tea plant

Word History and Origins

Origin of pekoe¹

1705–15; < dialectal Chinese (Xiamen) pek-ho, akin to Chinese báu white + hòu empress

Word History and Origins

Origin of pekoe¹

C18: from Chinese (Amoy) peh ho, from peh white + ho down

Example Sentences

The chain’s sweet tea is said to be a "refreshing blend of orange pekoe and pekoe cut black tea," which can range between 90 and 220 calories.

From Fox News

She lifted her glass and wondered whether Levy Pants was beginning to reek a little of used pekoe.

From Literature

Sit for 90 minutes, have a cup of orange pekoe and feel satisfied.

From New York Times

Green teas are grown and gathered in the same manner; but amongst these the gunpowder stands in the grade of the pekoe among the black, being prepared with the unopened buds of the spring crops.

From Project Gutenberg

Among black teas are bohea, congou, souchong, and pekoe; among green, hyson, imperial, and gunpowder.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• drink