Tea Leaves Safety Inspection

Tea leaves are adulterated with exhausted tea (used tea leaves that have been dried and re-colored), iron filings (for weight), sawdust, and sometimes foreign leaves. 1. The Visual Inspection: Examine tea leaves closely. Natural tea leaves are twisted, have a natural leaf shape, consistent brown to dark brown or greenish color depending on type. Signs of adulteration: - Flat, uniform, or broken particles (exhausted tea) - Metallic shine or glint (iron filings) - Wood-like particles or dust (sawdust) - Unnatural bright color or color variations 2. The Magnet Test (Critical for Iron): This test is essential. Pass a strong magnet slowly through the tea leaves or place magnet under a paper with tea on it. Move it around. Iron filings (used to increase weight) will stick to the magnet. You'll see metallic particles attracted. Pure tea has no magnetic properties. 3. The Water Color Release Test: Brew tea and observe color release. Natural tea releases color gradually - the water slowly turns golden-brown for black tea, light green for green tea, with steady infusion. Exhausted tea with added artificial color: - Releases color too quickly or too slowly - Water becomes excessively dark immediately - Color is unnatural (too bright or dull) 4. The Texture and Smell Test: Feel the tea leaves. Natural tea has a distinctive tea aroma - earthy, slightly floral, fresh. The texture is dry but not dusty. Adulterated tea: - Sawdust smells woody, not like tea - Exhausted tea has weak or no aroma - Foreign matter feels different - too smooth, too rough, or dusty 5. The Brewing Test: Brew and taste. Pure tea has characteristic flavor - slightly astringent, aromatic, with depth. Adulterated tea tastes: - Weak, watery (exhausted tea) - Metallic (iron filings) - Woody, papery (sawdust) - Lacks tea flavor complexity