Twenty two samples of black tea were collected from local Syrian markets
during 2009-2010 to study the quality characteristics of tea in terms of
moisture، water extract، caffeine، total ash، water soluble ash، alkalinity of
soluble ash, insoluble
ash in diluted hydrochloric acid in addition to
microscopic examination.
Results showed that all tested samples were identical to the Syrian Standard
No. 286/2003 for all above quality specifications، except for caffeine percent
which was less than the standard in 4 samples. The results also showed that
there was no adulteration with foreign plants nor exhausted tea leaves.
