Nigel wrote:
In an ideal world where we are all rational and accurate TEA is indeed
as defined by ISO Standard 6078:1982 - "derived solely and
exclusively . . from the leaves, buds and tender stems of varieties of
the species Camellia sinensis".
However a moment spent inspecting your supermarket shelves will
demonstrate the universally common usage of the word in application to
herbal mixes; even the TeaFAQ site has a page titled "Tisanes (Herbal
Teas)". And the increasing use of "Red Tea" for rooibos is I believe
deliberately misleading, done to trade on Camellia tea's percieved
health benefits. A few years ago I reported Marks and Spencer to the
UK Trading Standards Office for selling a chamomile tisane in a pack
with the word TEA about 1" high and the word chamomile about 1/4" high
- such misuse of the word tea is misleading - and teh product was
pulled.
Nevertheless, until the world universally understands that tea is only
Camellia tea, I often take the precaution of calling it "Camellia tea"
when confusion needs to be avoided.

Nigel at Teacraft

Yes, I too have always balked at the use of 'tea' on what are actually
tisanes. In North America, the various administrations tasked with
consumer standards are surprisingly lax regarding this issue. With many
products, in fact. I am quite surprised that in the States, merchants
are allowed to sell cassia bark under the name 'cinnamon' and it is
perfectly legal. So it is no surprise to me that they allow a random
assortment of leaves to be called 'tea.' caveat emptor.





On Jan 17, 6:43 pm, Warren wrote:
Nigel wrote:
2. ONLY true Camellia tea has theanine

I want to understand
what you mean by that comment. I was under the impression that 'tea' was
all Camellia, as opposed to tisanes, which obviously are not.




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