Little‘s 5Lb Orange Pekoe Tea Box, From The John Little Trading Company Founded in Singapore in 1853, Early 20th Century Example

Little‘s 5Lb Orange Pekoe Tea Box. John Little & Co was formed in 1853 in Singapore and was later registered in London as well (1893). The company started as auctioneers and commission agents but soon expanded into retail and also owned a car and motor garage business, a cafe and a beauty salon. The early 20th century saw the company open three branches in Malaya:- Penang, Kuala Lumpur and Ipoh. The second world war caused the closure of these branches and the company was eventually bought by Robinsons in 1955.

Orange Pekoe is a classification of black tea based upon the origin of the leaf. To be classified as pekoe, the tea must be composed purely of the new flushes - a flush being the leaf bud plucked with two youngest leaves. (Any other leaves produce teas of lower classification.). As a result, Orange Pekoe tea is the highest grade of black tea originating from Western and South Asia. Peko tea can also be further sub-classified based on the proportion of flowers, tips, and buds used.