Most of you enjoy added flavors in your cup of tea. The ingredients that produce those flavors are listed on the label — and some of them can look pretty unfamiliar. In this post, I'll explore the most common unusual ingredients you might spot in a flavored tea blend. Although many of these have applications across industries, I'll focus only on their uses in food and beverages.
Gum Arabic
Other names: tree gum, gum acacia, acacia gum, acacia, Arabic gum, gum sudani, Indian gum, Senegal gum
What it is: A natural polymer (a mixture of polysaccharides and glycoproteins) derived from the sap of acacia trees.
What it does:
- Acts as a natural stabilizer, ensuring product consistency and preventing separation in food and beverages.
- Slows or prevents sugar crystallization.
- Enhances texture and mouthfeel.
- Used in gumdrops, marshmallows, M&M candies, icing, and fillings to maintain consistency and texture.
- In soft drinks, it helps bind sweeteners and flavorings.
Carrageenan
Other names: carrageenin, Irish moss extract, Irish moss gelose, chondrus extract
What it is: A naturally occurring family of carbohydrates extracted from red seaweeds found around the world.
What it does:
- Provides thickening and stabilizing properties.
- Acts as a humectant — absorbing water and helping keep things moist.
- In gummy candies, it reduces sticking and produces textures ranging from soft to firm.
- Also used to coat food products.
Cellulose Gum
Other names: carboxymethylcellulose, carmellose, E466
What it is: Derived from the cell walls of plants, such as wood pulp and cottonseeds.
What it does:
- A thickening agent used across many food products.
- Makes foods thick and creamy without adding fat — especially common in low-fat or "diet" products.
Carnauba Wax
Other names: Brazil wax, palm wax, queen of waxes
What it is: A natural, plant-based wax derived from the leaves of the Brazilian carnauba palm tree.
What it does:
- Creates a protective, glossy coating that helps preserve freshness and improve appearance.
- Prevents candies like fruit snacks and M&Ms from melting.
- Water-resistant, which helps prolong shelf life.
Sodium Metabisulfite
Other names: SMS, disodium metabisulfite, sodium pyrosulfite, E223
What it is: An inorganic compound containing sodium, sulfur, and oxygen.
What it does:
- Has antioxidant properties — helps prevent discoloration and deterioration in fruit purees, vegetables, and juice.
- Acts as a preservative in baked goods, wine, dried fruit, and jams.
- Used in cracker and tortilla dough to create a soft, extensible dough that's easier to roll out.
Glycerol
Other names: glycerin, E422
What it is: A sugar alcohol that can be obtained by separating fats into glycerin and fatty acids (hydrolysis), or produced from the hydrocarbon propylene.
What it does:
- Used as a sweetener and humectant in meat products, chewing gum, and chocolate.
- A key ingredient in slush ice drinks — it maintains the slush consistency and prevents the liquid from freezing solid.
Propylene Glycol
Other names: 1,2-dihydroxypropane, 1,2-propanediol, methyl glycol, trimethyl glycol
What it is: A food additive in the alcohol family, produced industrially.
What it does:
- Valued for its ability to hold moisture and its mildly sweet taste.
- In bread baking, it retains moisture and reduces production time.
- Serves as a solvent for food colors and flavors.
If you spot any of these ingredients on your tea label, they're typically part of an inclusion — think fruit cubes, caramel pieces, colored sugar, or sugar sprinkles. The amount in a single cup of tea is minimal. The list above covers the most common ones, but if you have questions about others, feel free to get in touch.