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Food Analysis >> Food News >> Quality characteristics and authenticity in tea

Determination of quality characteristics and authenticity in tea

More than just residue control: why your tea analytics should also include value-adding substances

Okt. 2021. Residues and contaminants play a major role in food testing, but it is equally important for product success that value-adding components are also of consistently high quality. In the case of tea, for instance, polyphenols were noticed to have beneficial effects on wellbeing. In addition, essential oils, e.g. in peppermint tea, play an important role. Last but not least, information about origin and production methods is also becoming increasingly important to end consumers.

Overview of valuable components in tea and infusions

The polyphenols mentioned above include catechins, procyanidins, bisflavanols and theaflavin. Gallates are also frequently mentioned in this context, which are analysed as epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). This antioxidant is found especially in unfermented teas such as green tea. Caffeine, formerly known as tein due to its origin, is also used as a quality criterion in some tea varieties. Herbal teas such as peppermint, nettle and chamomile tea contain significant amounts of essential oils, to which health-promoting properties are traditionally attributed.

Through the use of flavors and added vitamins, it is also possible to create a variety of products with new flavor profiles. This is where food sensory methods help manufacturers to find an optimal profile for their product before market launch, for example through expert panels or customer acceptance tests.

Different countries of origin and the question of authenticity

For both mono-products and blends, origin and authenticity are playing an increasingly important role. IFS, BRC or FSSC 22000 provide the guidelines for this. For many consumers, the classic origins of tea are China, India (Assam or Darjeeling) or Sri Lanka (Ceylon). But there are also tea plantations in Europe, for example in the Azores. The mild, frost-free climate provides good growing conditions. The absence of pests and plant diseases is also a quality advantage for the tea, so that, according to the growers, the application of pesticides is not needed.

Marc von Essen von Eurofins auf einer Teeplantage auf den Azoren

As part of an origin tour, Dr Marc von Essen, Eurofins' business development manager for international raw goods, visits Europe's oldest tea plantation in the Azores.

The great variety of products and the geographically very different origins illustrate that a reliable declaration of the tea's authenticity is important to strengthen consumer confidence. Isotope analyses and/or NMR profiling are methods that can be used for such questions in tea analysis.

Current challenges for the tea industry and solutions from Eurofins

Authenticity, quality, integrity, transparency and traceability are challenges especially in the international tea trade, which we address together with the industry in the global Eurofins network. The combination of the latest methods in contaminant and residue monitoring, specifically optimised for tea, together with extensive consultancy services to develop testing plans for quality management, make up Eurofins' comprehensive portfolio. By traveling to the countries of origin, our experts also familiarise themselves with the different cultivation practices and potential risk factors in production in order to provide our customers with sound advice on all stages of the supply chain.

Have we sparked your interest?

From the tea plant to the cup, Eurofins offers producers and traders of tea and infused beverages the complete spectrum of tea analytics as well as complementary consulting and inspection services. In a personal consultation, our experts will help you to make good teas even better. We are looking forward to your enquiry.