For modern people, it is more and more important for us to know what ingredients are contained in the food we eat and how the food is prepared. Tea is an agricultural product in terms of classification, and common concerns are whether pesticides have been used or not, and how thoroughly the leaves have been washed after harvesting, which is why so many tea lovers will avoid drinking the first brew.

If you want to avoid pesticides, you must buy organic tea. But there are other ingredients worth discussing under the “organic” label, such as “natural”. We often encounter food and beverage products using terms, such as “Natural Flavours”, but what are they, and are they really 100% natural?

What Does Pure Natural Tea Mean? What Is Organic Tea? - ABoxTik 一盒精品 2

Do you know Natural Tea?

What is Organic Tea? And What About Natural Tea?

Organic tea is grown without the use of chemical substances during cultivation, including pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, or synthetic fertilizers, both in the planting and processing of tea leaves. These chemicals are not only harmful to the environment but also pose health risks to tea drinkers. Since tea leaves are not washed after harvesting, the first “wash” essentially occurs when we brew tea, allowing these residues to directly enter our teacups. Farmers proud of growing high-quality tea leaves, whether certified organic or not, strive to avoid the use of these chemicals.

Which Organizations Certify Organic Tea?

In Taiwan, you can find certification bodies and labels on the “Organic Agriculture Global Information Network” website. The organizations include: National Animal Industry Foundation (NAIF), International Beauty Natural Ecological Foundation (MOA), Taiwan Province Organic Agricultural Production Association (TOPA), Taiwan’s Treasure Island Organic Agriculture Development Association (FOA), FSI International Inspection Technology Co., Ltd. (FSI), National Chung Hsing University (NCHU), Universal Certification Services Co., Ltd. (UCS), Caiyuan Ecological Verification Co., Ltd., China Certification Co., Ltd. (ZHCERT), Chaoyang University of Technology, etc.

⚑ Further Reading ⚑
Top 5 Decaffeinated Tea Recommendations! Can Pregnant Women and Children Drink Them?

Are Natural Flavors Really Natural?

For consumers, the definitions of certain terms can be particularly complex. For example, is “natural flavor” really natural? Yes! “Natural flavor” is a term used by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which is a professional definition for food. Natural flavors refer to flavorings in food that come from vanilla, fruits, fruit juices, vegetables, edible yeast, herbs, bark, buds, roots, leaves, or similar plant materials, as well as meat, seafood, poultry, eggs, dairy products, or their fermentation products.

So, what are “natural flavors”? Natural flavors can be referred to as extracts, which are made from essential oils extracted from leaves, fruits, flowers, roots, or other parts of plants. Some extracts can be obtained simply by pressing lemon peel to produce oil. Each pound of tea leaves requires only about a teaspoon to achieve the proper flavor distribution. Therefore, when a flavor is extracted to its most concentrated form, just a little can go a long way.

From this, it can be understood that natural flavors are made from plant-based ingredients to replicate the taste of fruits and other items. Natural flavors are not only plant-based but also free from corn, soy, gluten, and dairy. When dried fruits or other ingredients are insufficient to add enough flavor, natural flavors are often used to enhance the aroma.

⚑ Further Reading ⚑
[Six Major Tea Types] Chinese Tea Culture – The Origin of World Tea?

In the heart of lush forests, where whispers of ancient trees dance with the breeze, natural tea unfurls its leaves like secrets, each sip a journey through untamed landscapes and pure tranquility.

What Is Tea?

Do tea products need to list natural spices?

Why are natural spices listed as an ingredient when making tea blends, since it’s clear that “natural spices” are pure and must meet certain criteria to qualify as such? Because many teas are made from one type of leaf (black, green, etc.) and then blended with other ingredients to enhance the flavour. While natural spices cannot be extracted from the tea bag alone, they do exist in the tea bag. Therefore, some manufacturers will regard natural flavours as ingredients of tea.

ABoxTik carefully selects tea from local farmers in Taiwan, so you can enjoy all the wonderful teas we have to offer without worrying about the ingredients. We hope that you can have a better understanding of “natural spices”, the next time you see it as a listed ingredient category.

Health Benefits of Natural Tea

There are many benefits to drinking natural tea on a regular basis, especially if you consider tea as a herb or spice. Most (but certainly not all) teas are brewed with ingredients that are naturally beneficial for your body. Drinking different types of natural tea regularly is without a doubt beneficial in improving minor health problems and has a relaxing effect on the body and mind. The best part is that there are endless caffeinated and decaffeinated options in numerous flavours, and never gets boring.

What Does Pure Natural Tea Mean? What Is Organic Tea? - ABoxTik 一盒精品 5

Tea Classroom – Natural Tea

Benefits of Drinking Organic Tea?

Sustainable Soil Use:

Traditional methods of growing tea often involve the heavy use of chemicals, which can lead to unsustainable soil practices. Organic tea, on the other hand, is based on principles of environmental respect, caring for the land, crop rotation, and erosion prevention are crucial for the sustainable use of soil. It’s important to consider that our consumption of tea often involves the natural degradation of another country’s land.

No Pesticides:

When you choose organic tea, you’re choosing a product free from pesticides. Many pesticides have been banned due to their toxic effects on the environment and human health, so consuming organic tea ensures that your tea is free from toxins, which is beneficial for your overall health and immune system. Pesticide residues can accumulate in body fat, which is why products that use pesticides have been banned from entering the European Union market. While tea leaves are not produced within the EU, these chemicals are not banned in the countries where they are produced, making it difficult for them to be sold in the EU market if they’ve been used.

Balance:

The digestive system is interconnected with the rest of our body and affects us in many ways, so having a balanced, well-functioning gut is crucial. Drinking tea helps achieve this balance, and some experts emphasize the importance of drinking organic tea to ensure that the tea leaves are free from harmful substances, allowing drinkers to achieve a more natural balance between their digestive system and overall well-being.

In the gentle embrace of nature’s hands, Natural Tea unfurls, each leaf a whisper of earth’s essence, steeped in the sunlight’s golden caress, a testament to the purity of the land’s bounty.

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