What is organic tea? Organic tea: Difference between organic and regular tea
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What is organic tea, and how does it differ from non-organic tea? For a couple of years now, we’ve been witnessing a significant increase in the popularity of organic foods among consumers. Teas are no exception to this trend, and even though many health organizations believe it’s healthier to consume organic than non-organic tea, consumers need to understand the differences between the two types in order to make an informed choice.
When it comes to tea, You might wonder, what is Organic Tea? What differentiates it from non organic tea?
Many of us seek for “organic” labelled products when shopping since they are said to have certain advantages over non-organic products, but those advantages aren’t always visible, and as a result, many consumers are unsure what “organic” means.
In fact, organic teas have gained notoriety among consumers, and many health organisations believe that it is safer and healthier to drink organic teas than non-organic teas; nonetheless, customers must understand the differences between the two kinds in order to make an informed choice.
In Canada, organic products are regulated by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).According to the CFIA “Organic production is a holistic system designed to optimize the productivity and fitness of diverse communities within the agro-ecosystem, including soil organisms, plants, livestock and people. The principal goal of organic production is to develop operations that are sustainable and harmonious with the environment“.
CFIA
The current organic label of the Canadian compliance of products.
USDA
The current organic label of the United States compliance of products.
EU COMMISSION
The current organic label of the European union grants EU-wide compliance of products.
1 – What is organic tea?
Organic tea is grown according to the standards of organic agriculture, which uses only natural products instead of chemicals.
In fact, the term “organic” refers to the absence of chemicals such as chemical fertilizers, pesticides, fungicides, or herbicides. These pesticides have been shown to have negative impacts on the environment, farmers, and, of course, consumers who may consume residues.
– Reliability concerns
Some people feel that the phrase “organic” has gotten so widely used that it is now fake. However, there is always a way out. Teas that are certified organic are easy to come by. And there is no falsification in this certification procedure. Specific substances are evaluated in labs, and only if they pass the test is the tea labelled as certified organic.
2 – What is non-organic tea?
Non-organic teas (Conventional farming) are usually produced in large quantities using chemicals, the processing is considerably faster, and most importantly, it is less expensive. From a commercial perspective, there’s no reason why tea growers wouldn’t want to produce non-organic tea.
– Health and safety concerns
In fact, in conventional farming the main goal is to produce as many crops as possible.
Many tea producers use synthetic compounds as insecticides or fertilisers in attempt to increase their production. The usage of these insecticides allows for a larger crop yield by efficiently eradicating pests, while fertilisers provide more constant nutrient for crops.
However, this does not imply that conventionally produced foods are toxic.
Non-organic teas have been consumed by people all over the world for decades. They may not offer as many health benefits as organic teas, but that doesn’t make them ‘’unsafe’’ to drink. On the other hand, while it’s true that some pesticides and fertilizers are removed during processing, yet many of these chemicals are water-soluble, which means even though the quantity should be minimal by the time they reach the consumer, they may still end up in your tea.
That being said, non-organic teas are generally safe to consume, however it is essential to purchase from a reliable tea company.
– Quality concerns
Non-organic tea appears to be a suitable choice for people who cannot afford costly organic teas.
And once again, non-organic teas may not always taste as great as organic teas and may not have as much health benefits as organic teas, but they are certainly not a ‘’dangerous’’ alternative. In fact, because of the rigorous regulations and expensive costs of certifications, several small tea plantations have chosen to remain traditional while still conforming to excellent moral and ethical standards.
Organic teas are considered safer by default, and many people believe that just because something is labeled or marketed as “organic”, it is high quality and healthy.
In order to confirm this belief, six pairs of organic and conventional teas from six farms in eastern China’s Zhejiang and Fujian provinces were evaluated. These results shown that organic teas had much greater tea polyphenols and water extracts than non-organic teas in the majority of cases. Consequently, those results concluded that organic teas provide more health benefit and are more environmental adaptable compared to their conventional counterpart.
– Sustainability concerns
Organic tea farming techniques do not rely on synthetic pesticides and fertilizers to maintain a high production, unlike traditional tea-growing methods, which may increase productivity in the short term. To restore nutrients lost from the soil by previous crops, organic tea-growing relies largely on the natural decomposition of organic waste, including techniques such as green manure and composting. A practice that could create an ecosystem that is healthy and sustainable for the long-term.
3 – Conclusion
The goal of this article is not to claim the benefits of organic teas or to put non-organic teas on trial, but the idea behind this article is to help consumers understand the differences between the two kinds in order to make an informed choice.
Organic approaches are more and more widespread, accessible, and cost-effective as demand for organic products grows. People want to know where their food is coming from. Particularly, the demand for organic teas has increased considerably over the years, to the point that more and more growers are being pressured to adopt organic in order to satisfy market demands.
We believe that organic tea is well worth the investment. Organic teas are not only a healthier option, but it also a higher quality option. That’s why we’re so committed to only using organic teas in our selection at TISANES, since we believe in the health of the earth, the tea producers, and you the lovers.
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