It’s interesting what we can get used to as the norm based on what we see and what we’ve always done. This applies to so many things, especially when it comes to living simply. Plastic grocery bags? Sure, everyone uses them. Fast fashion? Why not, it’s keeping up with the trends. Tea bags fit right into that same pattern. It’s something we got used to, and now most of us can’t imagine making a cup of tea any other way. They’re convenient, no measuring, no mess.
Yet that convenience may be quietly adding chemicals and nanoplastics to your cup. A 2019 study out of McGill University found that a single plastic tea bag released billions of microplastic and nanoplastic particles into the water when steeped at brewing temperature. What was so wrong with loose tea leaves that we felt the need to create a synthetic vessel to hold them, and in doing so, made the whole action of mankind tea more complex?
To be fair, some tea companies are paying attention to the research and changing what their bags are made of. But it won’t be every company, and if you’ve ever gone down the rabbit hole of trying to find truly clean products, you already know how exhausting that search can be. You research, you dig, and it still feels like you can’t win.
So why not just switch to loose leaf? It’s a healthier choice for you and a kinder one for the environment. All those single-use bags that get tossed after one steep add up fast. And if you’re worried about convenience when you’re away from home, it’s simpler than you’d think. Carry a small tin of loose leaf with you, a cloth tea bag, and ask for a cup of hot water. If budget is a concern, brew at home and take a travel mug with you. Being intentional doesn’t have to be complicated.