I am a huge tea fan. I love the ritual of tea and I also enjoy the many health benefits that come along with tea.
All tea leaves (black, white, and green) come from the plant Camellia sinensis and all varieties share similar health benefits. According to a 2010 article in the journal Chinese Medicine, tea has been found to be antifungal, associated with higher bone density, strengthen the immune system, and act as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticarcinogenic.
Knowing about these health benefits made me enjoy my tea habit even more. However, that changed when I found out that many of the most common teas contained pesticide residues.
A recent study from Canada found that 9 out of 10 tea brands that were tested came back positive for at least one pesticide. These teas include many popular brands such as Uncle Lee, Lipton, and Twinings. A separate review published by Greenpeace shows that 91% of their samples from India tested positive for pesticides including some that contained DDT, a pesticide banned in India since 1989 and banned in the U.S. since 1972 (Silent Spring, anyone?).
Drinking pesticide-laden tea means that we are not only putting our health at risk but also causing damage to ecosystems across the globe where pesticides are being used.
As soon as I found out that my tea may be laden with pesticides, I began searching for a new way to feed my tea habit.
What can you do?
I avoid any teas that are not certified organic unless you know how they were produced. Beware of designer tea stores that look like they have high-quality products. They are often just filled with flavorings and poor-quality tea (don’t worry, we have all fallen for the yummy samples!).
Also, avoid bottled conventional tea drinks. They not only may contain pesticides but are also packaged in single-use containers and are expensive.
Here are a few options to choose instead:
Certified Organic tea bags:
I know many tea enthusiasts cringe when someone suggests tea bags but this was honestly my first step when I discovered that my favorite teas tested positive. I found that Numi and Traditional Medicinals were two certified organic brands that were carried in most grocery stores. However, these options are much pricier (compared to loose leaf tea) and they do create some waste (although you can always compost the tea bag).
Organic bulk tea in jars
Zero waste:
You can find many bulk teas in your local bulk section and simply bring your own container to fill it. See my post about how to zero-waste grocery shop here. This is a great option as long as you make sure the tea is certified organic.
Ethical and High Quality:
In the past year or two, I have bought my tea online from Mountain Rose Herbs. I absolutely love this company because they consistently have high-quality products from reputable sources. They also have a genuine commitment to ethical and sustainable sourcing and business practices. When I bought my last pound of tea, it came in a paper bag (compostable/recyclable). However, more recently, when I got a smaller quantity of tea to try, it, unfortunately, came in a plastic bag.
Most sustainable option:
When it comes to the absolute best option, the answer I came up with is: grow your own! Many climates can grow tea (it is not only suited for China, Japan, and India). The tea plant that you want to look for is a Camellia sinensis (this one plant is responsible for green, black and white teas). I have ordered a plant from a generic mail order plant company and it, unfortunately, died within a year. Soon after, I found a vendor at my local farmer’s market selling Camellia sinensis plants! I chatted with the farmer for a while and was able to find out that he breeds the plants specifically for our climate. I bought a plant from him and it has survived over a year and a half in my care. It even survived our chilly, wet maritime winter outdoors! I’m such a proud plant mom!
Young tea leaves beginning to emerge
Camellia sinensis can be planted in the ground or kept in a large pot (as I have done on my deck). After the plant is 3-5 years old, you can begin harvesting the leaves for tea. I have not experimented with harvesting my own leaves yet since my plant is still on the young side, but I am so excited for the time when I can enjoy a cup of tea from my very own plant!
Did you know that a lot of common tea brands contain pesticide residues? What is your favorite type of tea?
