Let's talk about tea bags

Photo by Gundula Vogel

When I began researching what company to partner with in blending and co-packing our teas at Jubilee Seasons, the use of healthy tea bags was at the top of my list. What good is organic tea if it comes in tea bags filled with plasticizers, phthalates, or flame retardants?

To my pleasant surprise, I found tea bags that go a step further. The tea bags we use at Jubilee Seasons are made of Soil-On. This is essentially a corn starch product that is completely bio-degradable and chemical free. Plus, our tea bags are heat-pressed. This means that glue is not used in the production of the tea bags and there is not a string attached (which is often chemically treated).

Eventually, we hope to offer all of our blends in both our Soil-On tea bags and loose leaf. But for now, here are a few added benefits and ways of repurposing tea bags that may surprise you.

First, we supply 30 tea bags (with 2 grams of tea per tea bag ) per pouch. With that, our tea bags may be re-used to make two cups of tea. I often combine two used tea bags to make a third, but this only works if you drink several cups a day.

Second, when you are ready to move on to a new tea bag, please don't throw away the old. Do these things instead:

1. Store them in a moist medium, like a mason jar. You don't want to leave them out to dry and get moldy.

2. Use them to fertilize your garden or house plants. Your plants will thank you!

3. Instead of purchasing face masks full of chemicals, use them under your eyes or rub them over red splotches on your face.

4. Add them to your bath as a skin soother, or for the scent.

5. Put them in a bowl in the fridge as a deodorizer.

6. Use them to absorb odors in your carpet by leaving them on the area before vacuuming.

7. They are great window and glass cleaners!

8. And, certain teas and herbs (such as basil, lavender, peppermint, rosemary, chives, lemongrass, thyme, and marigold) work wonders at pest control. This is true in both the garden or in the house.

Tea bags are certainly getting a bad rap these days, and rightfully so! But, do your research when purchasing from tea companies and know that there are healthy alternatives available. I am so thankful we found the right partner in creating a tea product that we believe in...and that we get to offer that product to you.