Loose-Leaf Tea Benefits
There’s no doubt about it. Tea bags are convenient. Yet there are many (and better) reasons to choose leaf herbs for tea.
Here are mine:
1. Quality
Most commercial tea bags contain dust and fannings – the tiny particles left over after the quality parts have been removed. When you use the entire plant, its active constituents and full flavor are released. You can also touch, see, and smell the leaves, so you can decide whether to consume them.
2. Freshness
Loose-leaf herbs and teas are typically freshly packed, sealed, and shipped to markets and customers. Teabags are produced in large quantities, stored in warehouses, and then sit on store shelves or extended periods.
3. Health
There are a handful of companies that use whole leaves in their tea bags. However, the bag itself is often too small for the leaves to fully unfurl, so most of the essential oils and therapeutic benefits aren’t fully released. Also, most tea bags contain glue, bleaches, chemicals, or metal that can be harmful.
4. Environment
Even environmentally friendly tea bags are only 70-80% biodegradable, so the remaining 20-20% doesn’t break down. When you consider that the wrappings around each tea bag typically end up in the ocean or our water systems, the environmental impact is concerning.
5. Community
Most producers of quality loose-leaf herbs and teas are small businesses that create jobs and keep local communities vibrant.
Additionally, loose-leaf herbs and teas are cheaper per ounce. While tea bags are one-and-done, loose leaves can be steeped multiple times, and the flavor profile changes with each brew. Many people prefer the second or third brew even more!
