Why Loose Leaf? — Tea blends are traditionally packaged in paper, plastic, or nylon bags which could have negative effects on the body.
Tea bags are used for convenience — easier clean up and pre-measured blend. I completely get it. In fact, I too reach for tea bags when I am in a pinch.
Here’s the problem, some of these bags are glued at the openings and the paper may often be bleached. These chemicals are absorbed into the water along with the herbal extract.
Most tea bags release ~14 billion microplastics and nanoplastics into a single cup of tea when steeped at boiling temperature (see article linked below).
As an avid tea drinker, this is really upsetting. But! There is an easy alternative: Loose leaf tea.
I choose to steep loose herbs either in a mason jar (then strain) or in a french press. This way I am just infusing the herbs, not contaminating with potential carcinogens.
I encourage you to upgrade your tea experience by switching to loose leaf herbal tea blends whenever possible. Who knows, maybe you’ll start formulating your own some day!
