OOF™ Origin Open Foundation™

Independent Methodological Authority

Category: Product & Design
Subcategory: Clean Tea
Standard: Clean Tea Standard
Version: 1.0
Status: Canonical · Open Standard
Effective Date: 17 March 2026

Compatibility: Origin Eco™ · Product Integrity Standards · Natural Systems

Canonical Definition

Clean Tea is a product category and preparation standard defining tea
that remains uncontaminated, traceable, and integrity-preserved
across its entire lifecycle — from harvesting to consumption.

Clean Tea is not defined by appearance or packaging,
but by handling conditions, material contact integrity,
and origin transparency.

Base

• Plant material is the source.
• Handling defines integrity.
• Output reflects the full lifecycle.

Scope

This standard applies to:

• loose leaf tea
• herbal tea
• blended tea products
• dried plant infusions

Core Principle

Final packaging does not determine quality.
Integrity is defined by the full journey of the product.

Source Integrity

Tea must originate from:

• identifiable source or region
• controlled harvesting conditions
• material suitable for human consumption

Mixed-origin products must maintain traceability of all components.

Handling Integrity

Throughout its lifecycle, tea must not be treated as bulk industrial material.

Minimum conditions:

• controlled collection
• separation of batches
• prevention of contamination

Improper handling degrades product integrity irreversibly.

Material Contact Rule

Tea must avoid:

• plastic contact during harvesting, drying, storage, or transport
• synthetic surfaces that may introduce contamination

Preferred materials:

• natural fibers (e.g. cotton)
• wood or bamboo
• inert, non-reactive surfaces

Processing Integrity

Processing must ensure:

• no chemical treatment
• no synthetic additives
• preservation of natural plant structure

Drying must occur under clean and controlled conditions.

Packaging Integrity

Packaging must not:

• introduce contamination
• release microplastics
• alter product composition

Preference:

• loose leaf formats
• natural, non-synthetic materials

Output Definition

Clean Tea is defined as:

Tea that remains uncontaminated, traceable, and structurally preserved
across harvesting, processing, storage, and delivery.

Integrity Rules

The following are not permitted:

• unknown or non-traceable origin
• plastic-based processing or storage
• chemical contamination
• misleading representation of product quality

Methodology

1. Identify source
2. Harvest under controlled conditions
3. Handle using clean materials
4. Dry and process without contamination
5. Store and transport under integrity conditions
6. Output = Clean Tea
      

Use Context

• daily consumption
• premium tea production
• health-oriented products
• natural infusion systems

Positioning

Not defined by packaging.
Not defined by marketing.

Defined by integrity of the entire process.

Canonical Closing Statement

Clean tea is not a product category.

It is a lifecycle integrity standard.

→ Bagged Clean Tea
→ Blended Clean Tea
→ Loose Leaf Clean Tea

→ About Clean Tea Standard