"Samples without value"?

„Samples without value“ are a particularly inexpensive form of dispatch by the Universal Postal Union. Franked lids of raisin boxes from the German Post Office in Constantinople, fabric samples glued to postal stationeries, straws and dried flowers inserted in letters – such unusual examples, which has long been indispensable in international trade can be found from time to time in auction catalogs.In the present case, it is a still original sealed tea sample with address label from Colombo (Ceylon/Sri Lanka) dated July 1949, addressed to Düsseldorf. Registered airmail certainly reclaimed some of the savings that the „sample without value“ mailing form brought, but the Colombo shipper seems to have chosen this combination more often, having affixed a postmark with this type of mailing. Still, very few of these sample shipments are likely to exist today, as most recipients may have been interested in the quality sample of the tea and may not have even noticed the unusual combination of shipping methods. 

Original versiegelte Tee-Probe mit Adress-Anhänger aus Colombo aus 1949
Overall, a fine example of international trade after World War II, which should not only be of interest for Ceylon or Commonwealth collectors, but can also find its place in a collection on the history of Germany as an example of the Wirtschaftswunder of the beginning economic miracle.

Is the tea still enjoyable after more than 70 years?
I would not want to try it, but the seals would have to be broken and destroy this decorative work.