def filter_token_counts(counts, min_length=1):
    """
    Given a list of (token, count) tuples, create a new list with only
    those tuples whose token is >= min_length.

    Arguments:
        counts (list of (str or unicode, int)): tuples of form (token,
        count).
        min_length (int): minimum length of token.
    Returns:
        list of (str or unicode, int): tuples of form (token, count)
        whose tokens have length >= min_length.
    """
    stripped = []
    for (token, count) in counts:
        if len(token) >= min_length:
            stripped.append((token, count))
    return stripped