In today’s highly competitive global tea beverage market, selecting a supplier that delivers consistent flavor, uncompromised safety, and reliable supply is far more critical for foodservice businesses than simply choosing a good tea.
As a global leader in the tea beverage ingredient supply chain, High Tea combines a sourcing network that spans five continents with testing standards that exceed typical market requirements. Our dual commitment — Global Tea Sourcing × Rigorous Testing — ensures that every cup served to your customers is both distinctive in flavor and assured in safety.
Sourcing Advantages: Direct Supply from Five Continents for Diverse Flavors
High Tea’s sourcing network extends across Asia, Africa, South Asia, Europe, and South America, enabling beverage brands to showcase the terroir and craftsmanship of different origins on a single menu. This multi-origin strategy enhances flavor diversity while reducing risks from climate change or production fluctuations.
- Asian Elegance: Floral high mountain oolong, the sweet freshness of Vietnamese highland green tea, and the vibrant umami of Japanese matcha.
- African Sunshine: The bold tang of Kenyan black tea; the naturally caffeine-free rooibos and green rooibos from South Africa.
- South Asian Classics: Malty Assam, the floral-fruity bouquet of Darjeeling, and the bright fruitiness of Ceylon tea.
- European & Middle Eastern Touch: The refined citrus aroma of Earl Grey and the refreshing coolness of Moroccan mint tea.
- South American Vitality: The grassy, invigorating character of Argentinian yerba mate.
Through global tea sourcing, High Tea enables commercial clients to obtain teas from multiple origins through a single supply chain — creating unique blends while maintaining supply stability even during market fluctuations.
Why Source Tea Internationally? Three Core Advantages
- Flavor Innovation
Different climates, soils, and tea-making traditions produce a wide spectrum of aromas and tastes — from floral and sweet to bold and malty — meeting diverse consumer preferences and inspiring new product ideas. - Supply Stability
Multi-origin sourcing mitigates risks caused by climate variability, political situations, or production shortages, ensuring year-round availability. - Safety Assurance
High Tea conducts an initial pesticide residue test on all teas, selecting the testing scope and institution according to customer needs and market regulations:- 502-item testing: Covers major pesticides of concern in global markets, conducted by one specific third-party laboratory.
- 520-item testing: Designed for markets or customers requiring higher specifications, adding more high-risk pesticides, conducted by another professional laboratory.
For maximum assurance and compliance, we also recommend that partners arrange testing with accredited local laboratories in the destination market before product launch.
Rigorous Testing: 502 / 520-Item Standards
| Category | 502-Item Testing | 520-Item Testing |
| Pesticide Residue Tests | 502 items | 520 items |
| Coverage Scope | Major substances of concern in global markets | Includes additional high-risk pesticides |
| Substances Without MRLs | Non-detectable or zero-detect principle | Non-detectable or zero-detect principle |
| Testing Institution | Specific third-party laboratory | Another professional laboratory |
| Non-compliant Batches | Immediate rejection, no market entry | Immediate rejection, no market entry |
※ High Tea’s initial testing forms the first line of safety assurance, while local testing serves as an additional safeguard to meet specific market regulations.
From Origin to Cup: Fully Traceable Supply Chain
Every batch of High Tea products is fully traceable, with complete origin records, laboratory reports, and batch tracking systems to ensure compliance from cultivation and harvest to processing and delivery:
- Transparent Origins: Clear labeling of origin, cultivar, and harvest season.
- Transparent Testing: Providing clients with 502-item or 520-item test reports.
- Batch Tracking: Rapid source identification and resolution in case of safety concerns.
B2B Value: From Bubble Tea Chains to Luxury Hotels
- Bubble Tea Chains: Create distinctive drinks through multi-origin tea blends.
- Specialty Cafés & Dessert Shops: Pair high mountain oolong or Darjeeling with desserts.
- Hotels & Fine Dining: Offer curated afternoon tea programs or exclusive in-room tea.
- Functional Beverage Market: Develop health-oriented teas using rooibos and yerba mate.
Global Sourcing × Rigorous Testing: High Tea’s Brand Commitment
By offering 502-item or 520-item testing options through different accredited laboratories and combining them with a global tea sourcing network, High Tea ensures products meet or exceed international food safety expectations. Our initial testing is the starting point for quality assurance, while cooperation with local testing agencies ensures products can be confidently sold in markets worldwide.
References
- Codex Alimentarius – Pesticide Residues in Food: https://www.fao.org/fao-who-codexalimentarius/codex-texts/dbs/pestres/en/
- EU Pesticide Residues Database: https://ec.europa.eu/food/plants/pesticides/eu-pesticides-database_en
- SGS – Multi-Residue Analysis for Pesticides in Tea (English): https://www.sgs.com/en/services/multi-residue-pesticide-analysis
- US EPA – Pesticide Residues in Food: https://www.epa.gov/pesticides
