Myth-busting Organic Tea: When It’s Worth It — and When It Might Not Be

💡 At a Glance:

• What “organic” means in tea production
• The benefits of organic loose leaf tea
• The limitations and myths
• How to choose tea that aligns with your values
• What we do at Porter Hill

🧾 What Does “Organic” Mean in Tea?

In the world of loose leaf tea, organic means that the tea was grown and processed without synthetic fertilisers, pesticides, herbicides, or GMOs.

Certified organic teas must follow strict agricultural guidelines set by bodies like:

• Soil Association (UK)
• USDA Organic (USA)
• EU Organic Certification

But here’s the thing — not all great tea is certified organic… and not all certified organic tea is great.

✅ The Benefits of Organic Tea

1. No Synthetic Chemicals

Organic tea farms avoid synthetic pesticides and fertilisers. That means less chemical residue in your cup — and in the soil and waterways too.

2. Sustainable Farming Practices

Organic cultivation often supports biodiversity, soil regeneration, and water conservation. Many organic farms also prioritise hand-plucking, which protects the tea bushes.

3. Supports Ethical Supply Chains

Organic certification often overlaps with smallholder farms and fairer trade practices, though not always. If you value transparency and traceability, organic is usually a good starting point.

🧐 But Is Organic Always Better?

Not necessarily. Here’s why:

1. Certification Is Expensive

Many small tea farms — especially in Sri Lanka, Taiwan, or Nepal — grow tea using organic or near-organic methods, but can’t afford certification. Their teas may be more sustainable than certified ones… just without the label.

2. Pesticide Use Isn’t Always Bad

Some non-organic farms use integrated pest management (IPM), applying natural deterrents or very minimal pesticides only when necessary. Meanwhile, some “organic” alternatives can still harm beneficial insects or require higher water use.

3. Flavour Comes First

Certification doesn’t guarantee flavour. Some of the world’s most celebrated teas (like high-grown oolongs or second flush Darjeelings) aren’t organic — but they’re made with incredible care and tradition.

🫖 Our Approach at Porter Hill

We stock a range of certified organic teas for customers who prefer them — from clean herbal infusions to classic green and black teas. But we also carry non-certified teas from small producers using traditional, chemical-free methods that don’t fit neatly into a Western “organic” checklist.

When it comes to quality, we prioritise transparency, flavour, and ethics, whether a tea is certified or not.

🧠 How to Choose the Right Tea for You

💬 Final Thoughts

Organic tea is often a sign of clean, sustainable farming — and in many cases, it’s worth paying a little more for. But it’s not the whole picture.

Some of the best loose leaf teas in the world come from small farms without certifications, but with generations of expertise, respect for the land, and hand-picked perfection.

At Porter Hill, we believe you deserve both: honest sourcing and exquisite flavour — whether the tea wears a badge or not.

📣 Shop Organic Teas →

Browse our Organic Loose Leaf Collection