If organic is considered a fashion by some, it has become a real necessity. Organic food meets a need, that of preserving our planet by using environmentally friendly production methods. Drinking organic tea is to support an agriculture that respects nature. However, with the rise of organic tea in our daily lives, it is normal to ask ourselves some questions. How to be sure that a tea is really organic? What are the other benefits of drinking organic tea? Learn to know and recognize organic tea with this guide.
Bagged or loose: how to be sure that a tea is organic?
Whether in a bag or in bulk, tea, whether green, white or black, comes from the same plant. Whether you drink earl grey, Ceylon black tea or English breakfast tea, your infusion is made from the plant called Camellia sinensis. The difference between these teas? Their composition (buds or leaves), but also their production (drying, oxidation, etc.).
Produced in countries such as China, Sri Lanka or Japan, the many varieties of tea on the market are often grown far from our borders. However, it is not impossible to ensure the quality of the tea you consume.
Organic tea, like any other product from organic farming, must indeed meet certain criteria to be certified.
In Europe, a product such as tea is certified organic after having passed several stages of control. The different labels for organic tea (and organic products in general) are, moreover, subject to rules of use. They cannot be used without the necessary steps and controls having been carried out. These labels are therefore guarantees of the quality of organic tea and any other product resulting from organic farming. Perfectly recognizable thanks to the logos on the packaging, the organiclabels indicate the certified teas and are there to reassure you about your choice.
The benefits of organic tea leaf infusions
Why drink organic tea?
Tea is the second most consumed drink in the world after water. Whether it is black tea from Ceylon, earl grey, green tea from China, rooibos, white tea or herbal teas with fruits or spices, an infusion flavored with tea leaves has many virtues.
Tea is indeed known for its health benefits. Some types of tea have similar virtues and others that are unique to them. Tea is mainly known to be rich in antioxidants. It is also known to help prevent various diseases such as:
- type 2 diabetes ;
- cholesterol ;
- cardiovascular diseases;
- cancer.
Sencha green tea and matcha tea, for example, are also known for their detoxifying properties.
Agriculture: how are the leaves of the various organic teas picked?
Sencha or matcha green tea, Ceylon black tea, tea flavored with mint, lemon or with notes of ginger or spices... From Japan to China or Sri Lanka, the picking of organic tea must comply with the specifications of European regulations.
Rooibos, tea flavored with fruit, mint or plain: why choose the organic range?
Being the second most consumed beverage in the world is not without consequences. To meet such a demand, many crops use pesticides and other chemicals. But did you know that tea leaves are not washed between the time they are picked and the time they are put in your cup?
Yes. You got it. Hello, pesticides pesticides in the tea and therefore, in your body! Between endangering the health of the producers and yours and damaging the environment, growing and drinking tea is not without risk. Buying and consuming organic tea in bulk or in bags, on the other hand, allows you to enjoy the benefits of tea while protecting the planet and your health.
Organic tea: a more limited stock, but a quality product
The cultivation of organic tea has a lower yield than the intensive cultivation of traditional tea based on chemicals and this is not without consequence on its price. Organic tea is nevertheless of better quality than traditional tea.
From earl grey to English breakfast tea: organic tea, a growing range in the world of tea
The organic range of teas, whether natural or flavored with mint, lemon or fruit, in bulk or in bags, has a higher price. However, consumers have realized that the quality of the product justifies this. Infusions made from the leaves of various organic teas are becoming increasingly popular. Organic tea in figures attests to this.
Destination China, the world's largest tea producer
China is the world's largest producer of tea. However, not all plantations in China use pesticides and other chemical fertilizers to produce. The yunnan tea gardens are, in fact, known for their organic teas. The oldest tea plantations in the world are located in this region.
Sachet or loose, flavored with fruit or natural: organic tea, a wide range of teas for an infusion at any time of the day
Rooibos, white tea, earl grey, Ceylon black tea, infusions flavored with mint, lemon, fruit, spices or with a note of ginger... The different varieties of organic tea are available in bulk or in bags. Whether you want to buy a tea with special notes in the mouth, or have a tinned tea delivered to you for consumption throughout the day, at breakfast or at bedtime, you will find plenty of choice in organic loose leaf teas. In addition, by choosing organic loose teain addition, by choosing organic tea in bulk, you are choosing a quality herbal tea as opposed to some teabags found in supermarkets.
Evolution of organic agriculture: what future for herbal teas made from tea leaves?
Sencha, matcha, Ceylon, English breakfast tea, earl grey or even rooibos, organic tea is an indicator and a guarantee of increasingly controlled quality. In fact, to better inform and protect lovers of organic teas and any product from organic farming, a new organic regulation came into force in 2021.