We at TeaGschwendner are committed to maintaining the very highest standards with respect to the quality and purity of our range of teas. Whenever possible, we prefer to source teas cultivated organically and, when sourcing conventionally grown teas, we buy only from growers we know well. Growers who understand our quality criteria and can comply fully with these exacting standards.
TeaGschwendner staff make regular visits to the tea gardens to set the quality ground rules and discuss with the producers how they are to be achieved. Each and every tea sample is thoroughly inspected by our Tea Tasters against traditional quality criteria. For example, the leaves are examined for character and condition, the dried leaves are checked for flavor, and the resulting brew is approved for flavor and color in the cup. The samples are also screened by experts for undesirable residues and contaminants.
Our quality control process is based on a strict “Code of practice” which sets out standards for each stage in the production process. The teas are tested – and checked for residues and impurities under scientific supervision, in our own laboratory. Only when teas have passed our stringent Code of Practice criteria and our exacting tests for purity are they considered for purchase. It is this exhaustive quality control process that allows us, along with our producers, to assure a pure, high-grade and healthy product of optimum quality.
Additional spot-checks are also carried out by independent panels of experts, and The Union of Tea Importers regularly performs a self-check on samples voluntarily sent in from the various teagrowing regions.
Organic products
All teas in our range that are marked “organic cultivation” are checked regularly by and certified by QC&I GmbH, Germany (license no. DE-013) for conformity to EEC ruling no. 2092/91 and in accordance with USDA Standards
Why have we invested in our own laboratory facilities?
We insist that we:
- Base our purchase decision on consistent and reliable testing procedures.
- Are in full control of our analysis methodology, maintain strict high standards and are able to react quickly.
- Analyze quickly those samples that have passed our sensory testing procedures.
- Immediately analyze deliveries as soon as they arrive.
- screen products at both sample and delivery phases.
Can “Quality” be equated to “residue-free”?
With a product like tea, quality cannot be seen or judged in terms of just one verifiable quality assessment, (like a residue test) based on purely objective analysis. With tea, the quality appraisal is more complex, comprising a whole range of factors (including enjoyment or health value). Indeed some of the critical, decisive elements in the quality equation tend to be of a purely subjective nature, and as such cannot be meaningfully tested.