Green Tea Forum

Manji2012 · Uh, Can I Add Sugar? Joined: 04 Apr 2008 Posts: 14

Is there a difference in taste regarding Organic Green tea Versus In-organic? Do you purchase it simply because it is a bit better for you since there are pesticides?

Ryan · Sensei Joined: 19 Jul 2005 Posts: 475

For the most part, organic Japanese green tea doesn't taste as good as its conventional counterpart.

I generally don't purchase organic Japanese green tea. Furthermore, I am unsure, but I think the Japanese go out of their way to use pesticides that are not water soluble. If this is true, the amount of pesticides that gets in your actual cup would seem to be exceedingly low.

Furthermore, Japan is a country with strict standards in terms of pesticide usage. Honestly, it's not something I worry about with Japanese green tea.

Kevangogh · Forum God Joined: 19 Jul 2005 Posts: 904 Location: Japan

If they apply it, it's usually during fall when the plant is in dormancy. The newly sprouted leaves have never been exposed to any pesticide at all.

spacesamurai · 2nd Degree Black Belt Joined: 02 Feb 2007 Posts: 204

I have had an organic matcha that tasted great, but I think I paid more for it compared to a non-organic matcha of the same caliber.

greenisgood · Black Belt Joined: 20 Jan 2008 Posts: 112

yeah if you really need to have organic japanese tea it might take some looking around to find a good one, cause there is some Crappy organic sencha out there that is the same price as the good stuff; in my opinion not worth it. the only time i would consider buying exclusively organic sencha was if i became much more strict about my diet being certified organic, cause if im eating non-organic food still, what's the harm in a few more trace chemicals (probably nothing worse than what's in the water i use or the city air i breathe anyways)? i'd rather have good tea. i love organic stuff, but i also love good tea.

Ryan · Sensei Joined: 19 Jul 2005 Posts: 475

greenisgood, I'd argue that with some teas, the trace amounts of pesticides is far lower than if you're eating non-organic food. Where as, with food you're eating the entire item, tea you only drink the water that was sitting in the tea leaves. I've read a few sites which contend only a fraction of whats on the leaf gets into the water. So the food / tea comparison isn't necessarily a fair one.

Kevangogh · Forum God Joined: 19 Jul 2005 Posts: 904 Location: Japan

Some people mistakenly believe pesticides are not used in organic tea - they certainly are. The differences are the detectable levels allowed. Organic or not, the rules about when and how the pesticides are used are pretty strict. Plus, the tea is inspected to see how many parts per million of residue is left. The regulations for tea are actually stricter than for food (in Japan.)

I think the non-organics taste better because they are allowed to focus mostly on yield quality and can use much more efficient fertilizers. I won't say there are no good organics, I'm sure there are. However, I've never personally tasted one that was on the level of say, Miyabi.

friedfunk · Uh, Can I Add Sugar? Joined: 24 Mar 2008 Posts: 5

The only organic sencha that I've tasted that was on the same level as non-organics was the Tenbu from T-Ching but it is very pricey.

sleepyredmoo · 2nd Degree Black Belt Joined: 26 Mar 2008 Posts: 164

i have tried both organic and non organic, and i have tried the miyabi, but i havn't tried an organic from o-cha.I have a 12th generation tea master in my town his name is okimasa matsuda and he only sells organic tea from his farm in ugi. i would have to say i like both his organic teas and the non organic teas i've tried from o-cha, it would be a hard decision but i'd have to say i like his organic tea better. not to say i wouldn't continue drinking o-cha's tea because it is good and i like to drink a variety of different japanese green teas.

bluestem · White Belt Joined: 24 Oct 2007 Posts: 23

What type of fertilizers are used for organic and non-organic cultivation of green tea?

wehayley · 2nd Degree Black Belt Joined: 20 Jun 2006 Posts: 194

I'm not going to add to the "which tastes better and is the additional cost worth it" part of the discussion. But I will say that I've spent years in the health care field and if you are worried about the pesticide level of your tea, good luck. In most industrialized countries you likely breathe in more contaminates in an hour than you would find in several cups of tea. And heaven help you if you travel by commericial airline or eat at a fast-food chain and consume a drink with ice in it...