Products

We tested 16 black tea bag products that are available nationally in major supermarket chains. Where a brand has more than one product we've included its bestseller (according to manufacturer or Retail World Annual Report) or most commonly found product. We did not test green, oolong, white, chai, fruit or herbal teas, or tea blends such as Earl Grey, decaffeinated tea or loose leaf tea. Price per 100g is based on price for a 100-pack or closest in Sydney stores (not on special) in June/July 2019.  

Tasting

This taste test was conducted among Voice Your Choice members who regularly drink tea. This was a blind taste test where each participant is randomly assigned tea samples that have been de-identified. They're instructed to prepare each sample in the same way as they would normally drink their tea and complete a short taste test survey. Each product was tasted by at least 62 testers.  

Scores

Participants are asked to give an overall rating for each tea sample on a 7-point scale ranging from ‘terrible’ to 'excellent', and then we convert these numbers to an overall percentage score. We also ask them to select from a range of 16 descriptors those that best describe the tea. We recommend products with a CHOICE score of 75% or more.

By Rachel Clemons