Tea bags are certainly convenient, with no need to wait for the tea to brew or to strain it before drinking. However, this convenience comes with a cost in terms of the environment, personal health, and tea quality.
Environmentally, tea bags contribute to plastic waste, as 25% of the bag is made of non-decomposable plastic (polypropylene). In England alone, 24,000 metric tons of plastic waste are produced annually from tea bag waste.
For personal health, tea bags may contain bleach-treated paper and polypropylene, which may be harmful to consumers.
In terms of tea quality, tea bags often contain crushed tea leaves that are unable to fully infuse due to the limited space in the bag. Even pyramid tea bags, which allow for full leaf tea, are largely made of nylon and plastic that are detrimental to the environment. Furthermore, the cost of tea bags is inflated by the expensive machinery and materials required for their production, with 55-65% of the cost attributed to the tea bag itself.
In contrast, loose leaf tea offers health benefits and full flavor profiles, as each leaf carries the complete flavor profile of the tree from which it was plucked. Loose tea also remains fresher for longer due to less processing and less surface area exposed, and it is not treated with chemicals.
It is essential to keep tea fresh to maintain its nutrients, aroma, and flavor. Tea is manufactured to prevent nutrient destruction due to oxidation. As such, tea stored in average home conditions can lose up to 60% of its nutrients and flavor in six months.
In conclusion, while tea bags are convenient, they come with environmental and personal health concerns and often compromise tea quality. Loose leaf tea offers a more environmentally friendly, healthier, and fresher alternative with a full flavor profile. At Peekoh, we believe in providing the highest quality loose leaf teas to our customers, and we invite you to explore our selection of loose leaf teas to experience the full taste and health benefits of tea.