Difference Between Tea and Tea-Like Products

I heard that fruit tea isn’t real tea at all. Is that correct?

Yes it’s right. Fruit tea is not a “real” tea.

What is meant by tea is defined in the guidelines for tea and tea-like products. It states, “…tea comes exclusively from the leaves, leaf buds and delicate stems of the tea bush  Camellia sinensis  …”. In addition, the guidelines distinguish between tea-like products, tea extracts and preparations for tea beverages.

“Real” tea includes black tea, green tea, white tea, yellow tea, pu-erh tea, and oolong tea. They are all derived from parts of the tea bush but differ in the fermentation process used during manufacture. “Real” tea and flavored tea contain at least 1.5 percent caffeine in dry matter.

Tea-like products are made from plant parts that do not come from the tea bush but are prepared like tea. These include herbal and fruit teas. There are only a few specifications as to which parts of the plant are used to produce tea-like products. For example, the guidelines stipulate that “the whole or crushed, dried leaves and parts of the upper stem of the peppermint…” are used for peppermint tea. If tea-like products are made from one or two plants, they are labeled with the relevant plant species, eg peppermint tea or rosehip tea with hibiscus. If several plant species are used, collective designations such as herbal or fruit tea are also permitted. Tea-like products do not contain caffeine.

Tea extracts are aqueous extracts from tea or tea-like products from which the water has been removed.

Tea extracts are used to make tea beverage preparations. These include the so-called instant teas. They often contain a lot of sugar.

Both “real” tea and tea-like products, tea extracts and preparations for tea beverages can be flavored. This must be stated in the name of the food, such as fruit tea flavored with apple and cherry flavor. The term “aroma” must also appear in the list of ingredients.

Pay attention to the name of the food. There you can see whether it is “real” tea, tea-like products or a product made from tea extracts.

Look at the ingredients list. This allows you to see which plants have been used and whether flavors are included.