In our busy modern world, when tea comes to mind, it’s not always in the form of a pretty teapot and fancy ceramic cup. Quick and casual is the name of the game for almost anything we do—including consuming tea in the form of a supermarket tea bag dipped in microwaved water on our way out the door. These days, even top-tier restaurants skimp on loose leaf tea in favor of those very same tea bags, but in prettier packaging.
As a purveyor of some of the finest loose leaf teas around (if we do say so ourselves), you’d think that at Heavenly Tea Leaves, we’d be totally off of the tea bag train. But thanks to innovations in recent years, we are now able to deliver tea bags that live up to our (pretty high) standards, sans the problematic microplastics that we were worried about in the past.
What are these pesky microplastics we speak of? With the growing popularity of tea, but also of general convenience and time-saving hacks, tea bags have become a super-popular way of consuming tea in America and around the world. There’s no denying the ease factor: unbox, dip, drink, dispose. And no cleanup! But, among other issues like subpar tea dustings, the sachets themselves usually present the serious concern of billions of plastic micro and nano-particles that end up in our bodies.
According to Food & Wine: “. . . Researchers found that the bags can release [nylon-6, polypropylene, and cellulose] particles in the billions, adding to the body of work already out there presenting the dangers of microplastics from tea bags . . . Studies have shown that microplastics have the potential to affect everything from the digestive to respiratory systems, the human endocrine and reproductive systems, and the human immune system. Studies have even shown it can cause infertility and miscarriage.”
In sum—when consuming a typical store-bought tea bag, we are at risk of ingesting dangerous plastics, and a lot of them, which can cause chronic effects that are less than pleasant. While we drink tea not only for its taste but also for its wellness properties, knowing that microplastics could counteract these benefits could turn just about anyone away from tea altogether. And who wants that?.
Thanks to changes in the world of tea bag offerings, though, we’ve been able to make headway. A bit about our compostable pyramid tea bags, and what makes them different: Crafted from sugar cane, our amped-up version of the typical tea bag is 100% plastic-free and composts in just two to three weeks. Packaged in 50-count pouches, these beautiful pyramid-shaped sachets offer a more sustainable, earth-friendly option without compromising on the quality of the tea itself, as we use the same whole tea leaves you'll find in our loose leaf offerings. This is a useful option not only for individuals who are time-starved or need an on-the-go option, but also for restaurants and cafes serving a lot of different types of tea to individual customers and want to minimize equipment usage or offer a to-go option.
Now, full disclosure: If you ask anyone on the Heavenly Tea Leaves side, loose leaf tea is generally a superior way to brew and interact with the tea. A traditional loose leaf brewing method will always provide the best in quality and will extract a more potent and nuanced taste without the external interference of a sachet. It's also less wasteful, which we love. Of course, a teapot works well for multiple guests, but our favorite trick for an even more straightforward solo experience is to use an in-cup strainer. Just pour your loose leaf tea into the extra-fine mesh vessel and watch your loose leaf tea diffuse into your hot water. Simply remove the strainer, empty and wash.
At the end of the day, getting some high-quality tea into your routine in the way that is healthful and works for your lifestyle best is what’s most important. With our many options, you can select which blend and method pleases you, and we’ll say cheers either way.
