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Hi there,
I was wondering whether using pesticides in Camellia sinensis cultures is a common practice in China. If so, is there some way to identify presence of excessive pesticides in tea?I’ve seen some companies selling what they claim to be “organic tea”, I wonder if this is a special tea or if chinese tea is organic in general.Thanks! -
Like any other tea production countries, there is a mix of practices in China and people who attempt to get away with crimes. China is a country with by-far the largest amount of people in it so proportionally the crimes in there can catch one’s eyes.
In terms of diversity in practice, tea production in China is a show case of almost anything you can think of. The most systematic type of factory style production using really advanced machines and management, rules-abiding and localized organic farming certified by EU, small traditional practices run by families, and unethical enterprises that want only margins and turnover. I have seen them all. I do not have figures as to how predominant which practice is. What you get in your store really is dependent on its sources. If you study the issue deeply, this actually applies to all materials we consume nowadays, unless we produce our own from scratch.However, normal exports are mostly lab tested to various standards dependent on the destination. So if the customs in your country do the job, the tea you buy in there should be as safe as any other grocery items. -
Tamesbm,
China is a huge country and by far the most populated one. So if the crime rate there is the same as that of your country, it could be a few times more noticeable.In terms of tea production practices, I have seen the best and the worst in there. From advanced machines with modern management, the strictest practice of organic productions, tiny tea farms run by families with very traditional practices, and irresponsible enterprises interested only in margin and turnover. They are all there.I have no reliable data (official says it’s almost 99%) as to how much of the country’s throughput conforms to United Nations food safety standards. However, all normal exports should conform to the food safety regulations set by the importing country. If the customs office in your country is doing their job, the tea you are getting should be as safe as any other grocery items. -
There are different organic standards throughout the world. For example the USDA organic cert is relatively lax compared to that of the EU. China has one or two different organic certification agencies and a number of “green” standards. The green certificates started off as a means of helping farms who are not quite prepared with the set of management routines for organic certifications but are basically practicing organic practices. However, like almost anything with a good helping intention in China, they are quickly abused by corrupted officials for allies of not-so-environmental practices. Incidents of chemicals malpractices in farms or food factories with green certs or organic certs continue to happen every now and then.
Like Leo said, China is a huge country with the largest population. Everyone is watching it. A normal percent of criminals can be so easily noticeable. Even though the rate of corruption is high by any standards, chemical abuse incidents happen mostly inland, much less in things that are for export. -
@ Amuk, it is unsettling, however, that the abuse of the farmers’ trust on the authority or bigger corporations is prevalent in China. The use of excessive and inappropriate chemicals is more an intent by regional authorities who need figures to prove their achievement for climbing their career ladders. Although this is affecting mostly major food produces for domestic consumption, but the practice is becoming a culture. The law and its enforcement have to be independent of political agendas or personal influence in order for this cancerous culture to subside. Or the health of the population will be sacrificed. It is has become an imminent issue.
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