Overview
ISO 6079:2021 - "Instant tea in solid form - Specification" is the international standard that defines requirements and test methods for instant tea powders derived exclusively from Camellia sinensis. This second edition (2021) supersedes ISO 6079:1990 and updates scope, terms and definitions, and chemical-characteristic limits. The standard covers both cold water soluble and hot water soluble instant teas (the latter includes green instant teas) and excludes filled instant teas, decaffeinated products, instant teas with non-tea additives used as bulking agents, and herbal or other non-Camellia sinensis infusions.
Keywords: ISO 6079:2021, instant tea specification, instant tea in solid form, Camellia sinensis.
Key topics and requirements
- Scope and exclusions: Clarifies what constitutes instant tea in solid form and explicitly excludes filled instant tea, added aromatic materials not derived exclusively from Camellia sinensis, decaffeinated products, and herbal/infusion-derived instant products.
- Definition: Instant tea is defined as dried water‑soluble solids obtained by aqueous extraction of tea leaves, buds and stems from suitable varieties of Camellia sinensis, including permitted process aids and food additives.
- Product types: Distinguishes two product types - cold water soluble and hot water soluble instant teas.
- Chemical characteristics (Table 1):
- Moisture content: maximum 6% (mass fraction) - test by ISO 7513 (loss in mass at 103 °C).
- Total ash (dry basis): maximum 35% for cold water soluble, maximum 20% for hot water soluble - test by ISO 7514.
- Sampling and testing:
- Physical characteristics: Colour, clarity, free‑flow and compacted bulk densities and flowability are not rigidly specified - these are left to agreement between supplier and packer. ISO 6770 is referenced for bulk density test methods.
Keywords: moisture content instant tea, total ash instant tea, ISO test methods, sampling instant tea.
Applications and who uses it
- Manufacturers: to design, control and certify instant tea production to international specifications.
- Packers and distributors: to agree on physical parameters (bulk density, flowability) and ensure product compatibility with packaging systems.
- Quality control laboratories: to perform sampling and chemical analyses according to ISO 7516, ISO 7513 and ISO 7514.
- Buyers, retailers and regulators: to verify product conformity, labeling claims and safety parameters.
- Standards and compliance teams: to integrate ISO 6079:2021 requirements into procurement, specifications and conformity assessment.
Keywords: instant tea manufacturers, quality control, ISO compliance.
Related standards
- ISO 7513 - Determination of moisture content (loss in mass at 103 °C)
- ISO 7514 - Determination of total ash
- ISO 7516 - Sampling
- ISO 6770 - Determination of free‑flow and compacted bulk densities
Using ISO 6079:2021 helps ensure consistent product quality, clarity in supplier‑packer agreements, and internationally recognized testing procedures for instant tea in solid form.
