4 tips to identify adulterated tea leaves at home

The issue of food adulteration has become widespread, and even something as common as tea has not been spared. Shockingly, substances like iron powder, dry cow dung, sawdust, and artificial colors are sometimes mixed into tea leaves . Consuming such adulterated tea can lead to digestive problems and allergies. In this article, we will share some simple methods to help you detect adulteration in tea leaves from the comfort of your home.

Color Test
A simple way to check the purity of tea leaves is through the color test. Take a transparent glass, add some lemon juice, and a few tea leaves. If the lemon juice turns yellow or green after some time, your tea leaves are likely pure. However, if the color changes to orange or any other hue, the tea leaves are adulterated.

Tissue Paper Test
Another easy test is using tissue paper. Place two teaspoons of tea leaves on a tissue paper and sprinkle some water over them. Let the tissue paper dry in the sun. If the tissue develops colored spots or stains, the tea leaves are adulterated. Pure tea leaves will not leave any marks on the tissue.

Cold Water Test
To detect fake tea leaves, use the cold water test. Add two teaspoons of tea leaves to a glass of cold water and mix well. If the tea leaves are real, they will release color gradually, taking time to deepen. If the color changes instantly, the tea leaves are fake.

Smell Test
The smell of tea leaves is another indicator of purity. Real tea leaves have a fresh, natural fragrance. If you detect any artificial or chemical smell, it’s a sign that the tea leaves may be adulterated.

By using these simple tests, you can easily check the purity of tea leaves at home and protect yourself from the harmful effects of adulteration.