Ranked second, just behind water, among the most consumed beverages in the world, tea appeals to more than 60% of French people. Mindful of ingredient quality, many turn to organic tea. But in the maze of organic tea labels, how do you choose the one that ensures organic farming and respect for producers? Here are a few explanations.
Trusted labels for organic teas
In 2019, the tea market represented approximately 55 billion dollars. Enough to want to boost production, with varying degrees of ethics. To navigate this expanding market, organic tea labels are highly sought after. While some represent genuine values, such as the European organic label or the AB certificate, others carry out only minimal checks on production and chemical fertilisers. A closer look at organic tea labels.
The European organic label
The European organic label is the only mandatory one. Its legal framework is European. This certification, whose logo is little known, aims to respect natural cycles and move towards sustainable agriculture, both in terms of product quality and for producers.
The AB label
The AB certificate, whose logo is very well known, originates from France. Its aim is to highlight 100% organic products whose production respects the environment. Certified organic products are guaranteed to be free of pesticides or chemical compounds.
Other interesting labels
In addition to these organic tea labels, other certifications also deserve your attention:
- the Max Havelaar label, which ensures fair trade with a fair minimum income for producers;
- the Rainforest Alliance label, which seeks to protect primary forests through responsible farming that benefits small producers;
- the UTZ CERTIFIED label, which guarantees decent working conditions for producers and respect for the environment.
The promises of organic tea labels
For organic teas, as well as other plants such as coffee or rooibos, many labels exist. But which ones truly guarantee 100% organic tea? Do they seek to promote fair trade, environmental protection or the absence of pesticides and chemical fertilisers? A breakdown of the main organic tea labels.
The promises of the European organic label
The European organic label promotes qualitative excellence through agriculture that respects the cycles of nature. Available across European countries, this label guarantees:
- products with a minimum of 95% ingredients from organic farming;
- products coming directly from producers with a sealed package (box or bag);
- clear traceability information.
The promises of the AB label
The AB certification is fairly close, in terms of its standards, to the European organic label. According to the French Agency for the Development and Promotion of Organic Agriculture, this label guarantees:
- products with a minimum of 95% ingredients from organic farming, respectful of the environment and animal welfare;
- ingredients grown without pesticides and without chemical products;
- a maximum presence of 0.9% GMOs in the processed product;
- clear traceability information.
Is a label a guarantee of quality?
With their strict standards, labels such as AB certification or European organic certification are a guarantee of quality. They ensure a product with little or no pesticides or chemical fertilisers. But does that mean teas without an organic label should be discarded? Not really, as certifications are expensive and some small producers, especially in small gardens in Asian countries, cannot afford to obtain them for their tea leaves.