Sipping Safely - Heavy Metals In Teas And Why We Test

Since the late 1980s, green tea has been the focus of numerous health studies. 

Across the globe, the human race drinks more tea than any other beverage in the world second to water. 

So it's no surprise that we're obsessed with its potential health benefits. 

Clinical studies have shown that the polyphenols and catechins found in green tea may help prevent life-threatening diseases. 

Regular consumption of green tea can benefit conditions such as cancers, type 2 diabetes, obesity and cardio vascular diseases.

But have you ever wondered if there's any bad stuff in the teas that your devouring several times a day?

Green tea, renowned for its health benefits, can sometimes be vulnerable to contamination by pesticides and heavy metals.

Tea plants possess the unique ability to draw substances from the soil and accumulate them in their leaves.

This underscores the importance of understanding the origins of your tea, the processing methods employed by manufacturers, and even the composition of the packaging used. 

In an investigation conducted by Greenpeace China in 2012 and reported in the Financial Times, it was discovered that all tested tea samples from China contained at least three types of pesticides. 

Alarmingly, 14 out of the 18 teas tested harboured pesticides that maybe harmful for human consumption.

When it comes to regular consumption of teas, be mindful and aware of who you choose to purchase from.

Buying teas from early harvest pickings would have absorbed fewer contaminants than lower grade teas comprising of older tea leaves that have absorbed more from the soil for a longer period of time. 

Similarly, while higher-grade teas generally exhibit lower toxicity, factors such as the specific farm of origin, harvesting methods, and the country of production play pivotal roles.

Organic certified teas ensures that rigorous standards and quality have been met by the governing bodies and give you the peace of mind that it is safe to drink.

It's worth noting that some teas from China and India generally exhibit higher contamination levels compared to those from Japan, a difference attributed to industrialisation and atmospheric pollution.

At Purematcha, we take safety and purity seriously. The reports below show the heavy metal elements that we have tested. 

Arm yourself with the right knowledge to make your next tea purchasing decision a safe one!