ICON DECODER
COMPANY RATINGS | |
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Praises, no criticism |
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Some praise, no criticism |
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No rating |
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Praises, some criticism |
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Criticism, some praise |
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Criticisms |
Note: Ratings are based on company record, including parent companies.
They are not a comment on the product itself. |
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Australian Owned |
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Outstanding Product Feature |
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Industry Alert |
IssuesWhat do you value? > Animal testing > Conflict minerals > Factory farming > Food miles > Genetic engineering > Labour exploitation > Nanotechnology > Overfishing > Packaging & waste > Palm oil > See all |
CategoriesWhat do you buy? > Baby > Clothing > Food & Drink > Household > Office Supplies > Personal Care > Pets > Retail > Technology > Toys > See all |
Tea
The Guide > Food & Drink > Drinks > Tea |
Pesticides In Tea
In 2003, CHOICE tested 55 widely available brands of tea for pesticide residue. Nearly 40% tested positive. Formosan Tea was particularly high in pesticide residue. [The New Daily]
Caffeine
Caffeine is the most widely consumed psychoactive substance in the world. It is highly addictive and causes unpleasant withdrawal symptoms (headaches being the most common) if you stop drinking it suddenly. Most people get their caffeine fixes from coffee and tea, but it is also present in cola drinks, energy drinks and chocolate (the darker the chocolate, the more caffeine it contains).
Caffeine is a strong diuretic and can cause insomnia, tremors and reduced fertility in men. It's bad news for pregnant women too.
[more]
- Typical caffeine quantities: Red Bull (250ml can) - 80mg; Mother (500ml can) - 160mg; Coca-Cola can - 40mg; Coffee - 80-100mg typically; Tea - about half that of coffee (varies greatly); A chocolate bar - up to 10mg
- Find out how much caffeine you consume each day using Choice's Caffeine calculator. [Caffeine calculator]
Alternatives beyond the mainstream 
Koala Tea Company [more info]
Tea Tonic [more info]
Tielka Fairtrade Organic tea [more info]
Tradewinds [more info]
About these listings
Find farmers' markets, food coops, farm gate products at Local Harvest
Features: Organic
Koala Tea Company is a 100% Australian owned company that offers Certified Organic herbal tea and flavoured teas. Based in Lismore (NSW), their products can be ordered through their website.
Manufacturer: Koala Tea Company
Koala Tea Company is a 100% Australian owned company that offers Certified Organic herbal tea and flavoured teas. Based in Lismore (NSW), their products can be ordered through their website.
Manufacturer: Koala Tea Company
Features: Organic, Australian owned and made
100% Australian owned company that has been making certified organic teas since 1998, using locally sourced fruits and herbs, and biodegradable, unbleached teabags. Based in Melbourne, VIC.
Manufacturer: Tea Tonic
100% Australian owned company that has been making certified organic teas since 1998, using locally sourced fruits and herbs, and biodegradable, unbleached teabags. Based in Melbourne, VIC.
Manufacturer: Tea Tonic
Features: Fairtrade, organic
Tielka is a 100% Australian owned company that offers fairtrade and organic loose leaf tea. They specialise in white, yellow, green, oolong, black, pu-erh and floral varietals that are ethically sourced and imported directly from tea farmers. Ph: 1300 843 552
Manufacturer: Tielka
Tielka is a 100% Australian owned company that offers fairtrade and organic loose leaf tea. They specialise in white, yellow, green, oolong, black, pu-erh and floral varietals that are ethically sourced and imported directly from tea farmers. Ph: 1300 843 552
Manufacturer: Tielka
Features: Organic, Fairtrade
Your one stop shop for fair trade and organic tea and coffee. Online sales. Tradewinds is a volunteer based not-for-profit company, with profits funding targeted projects that open new opportunities for producer communities.
Manufacturer: Tradewinds
Your one stop shop for fair trade and organic tea and coffee. Online sales. Tradewinds is a volunteer based not-for-profit company, with profits funding targeted projects that open new opportunities for producer communities.
Manufacturer: Tradewinds
BRAND | COMPANY | OWNED | RATING |
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Nature's Cuppa ![]() |
EatRite Australasia | ![]() |
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Madura ![]() |
Madura Tea Estates | ![]() |
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Arkadia | Maltra Foods | ![]() |
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Planet Organic ![]() |
Planet Organic | ![]() |
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Virgin Garden ![]() |
Virgin Garden | ![]() |
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Natureland | Vittoria Food & Beverage | ![]() |
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Clipper ![]() |
Clipper Teas (PAI Partners) | FRA | ![]() |
Dilmah | Dilmah Australia (MJF Group) | LKA | ![]() |
Nerada ![]() |
Nerada Tea (JA Russell & Co) | MYS | ![]() |
Nerada Organics ![]() |
Nerada Tea (JA Russell & Co) | MYS | ![]() |
Daintree ![]() |
Daintree Tea | ![]() |
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Bonvit | G&R Gerardis | ![]() |
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Hari Har Chai | Hari Har Chai | ![]() |
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Kintra Foods | Kintra Foods | ![]() |
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Symington's | Kintra Foods | ![]() |
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Madame Flavour | Madame Flavour | ![]() |
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Jones | A.F. Jones (Capital Maharaja) | LKA | ![]() |
BOH | BOH (JA Russell & Co) | MYS | ![]() |
Qi ![]() |
Herbal Health Distributor: Universal Village |
UK | ![]() |
Impra | Imperial Tea Exports | LKA | ![]() |
Just Rooibos | Just-Rooibos | ZAF | ![]() |
Victorian | Millennium Teas | LKA | ![]() |
Dr Stuart's | Only Natural Products | UK | ![]() |
Higher Living ![]() |
Only Natural Products | UK | ![]() |
Kromland Farm | Only Natural Products | UK | ![]() |
Stassen | Stassen Group | LKA | ![]() |
Lotus Peak ![]() |
BH Fine Foods (Pact Group) | ![]() |
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Diplomat | Aldi Australia (Aldi South) | GER | ![]() |
Pukka ![]() |
Pukka Herbs (CVC) Distribution & Marketing: Stuart Alexander |
UK | ![]() |
Taylors of Harrogate | Bettys & Taylors of Harrogate Distributor: Manassen Foods |
UK | ![]() |
Yorkshire Tea ![]() |
Bettys & Taylors of Harrogate Distributor: Manassen Foods |
UK | ![]() |
Tasty | Monde Nissin Australia (Monde Nissin) | PHL | ![]() |
Red Seal | Red Seal (EBOS) | NZL | ![]() |
Healtheries | Vitaco (Shanghai Pharma) | CHN | ![]() |
Celestial | Hain Celestial | USA | ![]() |
Pickwick ![]() |
Jacobs Douwe Egberts Australia (Acorn Holdings) | NLD | ![]() |
Bushells | Lipton Teas & Infusions (CVC) Distribution & Marketing: Stuart Alexander |
UK | ![]() |
Lan Choo | Lipton Teas & Infusions (CVC) Distribution & Marketing: Stuart Alexander |
UK | ![]() |
Lipton ![]() |
Lipton Teas & Infusions (CVC) Distribution & Marketing: Stuart Alexander |
UK | ![]() |
PG Tips ![]() |
Lipton Teas & Infusions (CVC) Distribution & Marketing: Stuart Alexander |
UK | ![]() |
T2 ![]() |
T2 Tea (CVC) Distribution & Marketing: Stuart Alexander |
UK | ![]() |
Billy Tea | Tata Consumer Products Australia (Tata Group) | IND | ![]() |
Kinkara | Tata Consumer Products Australia (Tata Group) | IND | ![]() |
Robur | Tata Consumer Products Australia (Tata Group) | IND | ![]() |
Tetley | Tata Consumer Products Australia (Tata Group) | IND | ![]() |
Tuckfields | Tata Consumer Products Australia (Tata Group) | IND | ![]() |
Tynee Tips | Tata Consumer Products Australia (Tata Group) | IND | ![]() |
Twinings | Twinings & Co (Garfield Weston Foundation) | UK | ![]() |