Tea Time Might Be Over, Once World Wakes Up to Amount of Pesticides Inside Each Cup

[dixiegrrrrl]

AAAcccckkk!

Tea time is supposed to be a time to relax and regroup, but it could be one of the riskiest moments of the day. At least, that’s according to a new study released by Greenpeace earlier this month that found a number of popular tea brands contain high doses of pesticide residues. Some teas even tested positive for the long-banned DDT.

Greenpeace published two reports looking at tea in China and in India. In both accounts, the levels of pesticide residues found in tea samples were disturbingly above the safe limits set by the World Health Organization.
http://www.alternet.org/food/tea-pesticides-3?paging=off&current_page=1#bookmark

[merrily]

1. I have to wonder: is there anything that is unequivocally good for us?

Even the organic cream that you can buy in most supermarkets contains carrageenan (sp?), which is a carcinogen. Not to mention high fat content. Fruits and veggies? Pesticides and maybe worse. Didn't a bunch of people die from contaminated cantaloupe?

Maybe the situation will improve, if growers and supermarkets, etc. focus on keeping humans healthy, instead of on how much money they make. And maybe that will happen someday.

Meanwhile, I guess we all just have to stay as informed as we can and do the best we can.

In closing, contrary to Gordon Gekko, Greed..for want of a better word...is not good. Not good for any of us, even bees.

[Le Taz Hot]

2. I hope all the people who revere places like Trader Joe's

read this. BUY ORGANIC, BUY LOCAL.

[dixiegrrrrl]

3. Well, local tea is a bit of a problem.

Thankfully, there are organic sources.

[KamaAina]

4. One would think that, since the tea plant is a variety of camellia,

it would do quite nicely down South.

I should run this by my buddy who has a farm outside Memphis.

[dixiegrrrrl]

6. Not sure, but I think tea needs a cool climate

at least some of the time.
I remember reading about tea growing, quite some time back, not 100% recall on the climate thing.

[Chan790]

11. The best tea plants grow at high altitude.

The southern climate isn't really an issue...the lack of elevation probably is. Hawaii probably would be a better choice. That said, the only US domestic tea plantation is outside Charleston, SC.

Tea grows best pretty much where coffee grows best. It's more a matter of regional interest that has thus far led to tea and coffee not being farmed in the same areas with few exceptions such as Sri Lanka. Chinese teas (Camellia sinensis var. sinensis) are hardier and more resilient, better suited for the climate. Indian teas (Camellia sinensis var. assamica) are less resistant to the cold and likely not viable in the US. (Black teas are typically assamica. All other varieties (green, oolong, sencha, bancha, matcha) are sinensis.)

An article for the interested on potential domestic tea farming, though primarily for the home grower.
http://www.rodalenews.com/grow-your-own-tea

[marions ghost]

13. Some teas grow fine in America

Camellia sinensis is as easy to grow as other camellias.

Here is exactly how to grow it:

http://www.teaflowergardens.com/growing-tea.html

[Aerows]

16. I'm growing two of them now

Don't know why anyone else in the South has an issue.

[Nye Bevan]

5. That explains why flies that land in my tea usually die (nt)

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

7. Should I put the kettle on?

I'm enjoying a fine cup of Russian tea as I write. Probably laced with all sorts of nasty stuff. But, I've been drinking it since infancy and other than having to endure the brown water that American brands put out, I can recall no unpleasant side effects.

[dixiegrrrrl]

8. Some teas are worth the drinking, I have found out in the last couple years.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

12. Da, Tovarich. But, don't try singing the Internationale with your mouth full.

[JaneQPublic]

9. News Flash: We're all going to die some day, no matter what. (nt)

[mainer]

10. The report only lists teas purchased in China

I didn't see any specific reference to American brands. Where are the results for testing of Lipton, etc? Is there another link?

[marions ghost]

14. Do you really believe

imported tea labelled Lipton is adequately tested?

[dixiegrrrrl]

15. All I had to go on was the linked article.n/t