What's really lurking in your cup?
Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed's editors. Purchases made through the links below may earn us and our publishing partners a commission. Sweet Tea Pack
"Drink more tea," they said. "It's good for you," they said. And they aren't wrong—tea certainly has its benefits, from plenty of good-for-you antioxidants to less caffeine than your average cup of coffee.
But according to a study by the American Chemical Society, it also has some hidden dangers, particularly if you're brewing your cuppa with plastic tea bags.
There's more than tea inside those bags.
Researchers at McGill University tested four popular brands of tea sold at grocery stores and found that a single plastic tea bag can release 11.6 billion microplastic and 3.1 billion nanoplastic particles into the water.
And while experts don't yet know the exact effect that those chemicals have on our bodies, drinking plastic hardly sounds like a smart (or healthy) idea.
The particles come from the polypropylene that many manufacturers use to seal tea bags closed. These microplastics are found in a lot of foods and beverages (including water bottles), yet the study revealed that the levels released by the tea bags were thousands of times higher than other products.
First things first: Stay away from plastic tea bags. As proven by the study, those can leech potentially harmful chemicals into your drink. But even paper tea bags can have plastic particles in their sealant. So what can you buy?
Opt for tea bags that are completely biodegradable, plastic-free, organic, or made with plant-based materials. Another phrase to look for is tea bags that say they're "free of epichlorohydrin," which is a chemical some manufacturers add to prevent the bags from breaking down quickly.
Country Living rounded up some of the popular plastic-free brands, which include brands like Pukka, TeaPigs, and Clipper.
Pukka tea bags are fully compostable and tied together with organic cotton.
TeaPigs tea bags are always biodegradable and plastic-free, with a string made of cornstarch.
Clipper tea bags are made from plant-based materials.
Who wants a cup of (mana)tea?
Loose leaf tea, of course. Not only is it a chemical-free, fresher option, but it often produces a stronger, more flavorful cup of tea. And to make tea with your leaves, you'll need a tea infuser.
One of our favorites is the Manatea, which infuses tea quickly and hangs tightly to the mug as you drink. Plus, it's made of silicone which makes it particularly easy to clean. (And did we mention that it's adorable?)
This BPA-free silicone tea infuser makes it easy to sip loose leaf tea.
Using a tea infuser is a little different than a tea bag. Because loose leaf tea can be stronger than bags, remember to remove your infuser after a few minutes to keep it from becoming too strong and bitter. For ideal brewing times (and temperatures), check the tea's brewing instructions first.
As for the infusers themselves, take care of them properly so that they last longer and brew better. Make sure to keep the holes clear of stuck leaves, and let them dry completely before storing them away.
Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time. The product experts at Reviewed have all your shopping needs covered. Follow Reviewed on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, or Flipboard for the latest deals, product reviews, and more.
Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.
The product experts at Reviewed have all your shopping needs covered. Follow Reviewed on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, or Flipboard for the latest deals, product reviews, and more.
Cute Tea Packaging ©2024 Reviewed, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network LLC. All rights reserved. Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed's editors. Purchases made through the links below may earn us and our publishing partners a commission.