Since it’s discovery by the Chinese emperor Shen Nong, tea has refreshed the man kind for generations. This 5000 year old drink eventually became the most popular beverage in the world after water due to her amazing functional and health benefits. When it comes to innovation, tea was always behind other beverage crops like coffee. One would argue that the tea bag is the only significant innovation in the history of tea. The discovery of tea bag was also an accident in USA. Later on thanks to the discovery of pyramid tea bags, even leaf teas could enter to the convenience conscious consumer segment. But as a new study had claimed, a soothing cup of the brewed beverage may come with a dose of micro particles and nano-sized plastics shed from the bags. Possible health effects of ingesting these particles are currently unknown, the researchers say.

Research team wondered whether newly discovered plastic teabags could be releasing micro- and nano plastics / particles into the beverage during brewing. They also suppose to explore effects of the released particles on small aquatic organisms called Daphnia magna, or water fleas, which are model organisms often used in environmental studies. So there is a potential risk to human health, if you pour plastic tea bags in boiling water.

I am very certain that tea lovers are already aware of the issue after going though many articles related to this mater. By the mean time, it’s worth discussing alternatives to plastic tea bags.

1. Loose Leaf Tea

There is nothing better than a steaming pot of tea made with loose leaf tea. No matter whether it’s smaller grade or a leafy tea. All you need is a proper strainer to pour and through the infusion out and sip your favorite tea.

2. Using a Metal Infuser

For me, this is one of the best alternatives to plastic tea bags. Here you need to put your favorite tea in to the infuser (Finer grades like Dust may come out of this) and press gently while steeping.

3. Soilon Pyramid Tea Bags

Soilon is a bio-degradable material specially used to pack organic teas with ethical claims. This is also a kind of hard paper material. But, I can’t guarantee that this material is fully healthy. Also this can’t tolerate flavoured tea for a longer period.

I will not give you conventional filter paper tea bags or ready to drink iced tea as alternatives.

Tea consumers are wise. So it’s up to you to decide the best way to pour your “Cup of Life”.

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References

1.American Chemistry Society: https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/pressroom/presspacs/2019/acs-presspac-september-25-2019/plastic-teabags-release-microscopic-particles-into-tea.html

2. History of Tea Bags: https://time.com/3996712/a-brief-history-of-the-tea-bag/