Orange Pekoe

I think boxes and labels must be different in the U.S…my box from Walmart is blue and dubbed “Original Blend” and that’s what pops up when I search for orange pekoe on the Red Rose website. Minor detail.

Everybody needs at least one extremely cheap, bog standard (yep, there’s that wonderful descriptor again!) bagged black tea, 80 to a box, that you can can swig at will without much attention to time or temperature. I’m on my last few precious bags of Murphy’s Irish Breakfast, so I’m going to need an office replacement. This is in the running, although it is stronger on the sharp tenor notes instead of the malty bass that I prefer.

This is solid orange pekoe tea. It does hold a special place in my heart, it’s what my grandmother drinks and what we usually steep a pot of after dinner.

Still at the workshop and they are usually serving this at breakfast. Had it again with cream and honey, and again, it was divine. I don’t know whether this is taking me back to deeply embedded memories of comfort and blissed out safety—perhaps it is. It must be. No other explanation for this deliciousness.

I’m not sure why so many restaurants carry this tea. It’s generally a dry, sub par tea.

A decent black tea, somewhat weaker in flavor relative to similarly marketed brands (e.g. Barry’s Gold Blend, PG Tips). Something of a spice character, maybe nutmeg, clove? can’t quite place it — very floral relative to the competition as well. Decent for an afternoon cup maybe with a snack, but won’t really stand up to food.

Good solid standby.

One of my coworkers is extremely pregnant, so the office threw her a surprise tea party themed baby shower. Lots of yummy food, adorable decorations, a few tears. And, of course, tea. Good old Red Rose. Tastes like grandma’s house and childhood.

Malty, with a hint of milk flavour. This is a fantastic bagged orange pekoe and better than several loose leaf varieties I have tried. I enjoy mine with a touch of honey and a splash of milk. It makes a good every day tea.

I’ve had this for many years of my life and it holds a special place in my heart. I am preferring different teas the older I get but this will always be a classic to me.

This is a good black tea.

Just don’t make the mistake I did the first time by steeping it too long (more than 5 minutes) or it can get quite bitter.