Tea – No Micro-Plastics Please

Jan 25, 2025 by Chef David

By Chef David

Tea is the most popular beverage in the world after water. There is a science behind brewing tea, which we discussed in Tea Begins with Water – And Temperature Matters. Studies have found that teas can boost immunity, fight infection, and aid relaxation and digestion. While there is no question about the health benefits of the tea itself, some tea bags contain micro/nano plastics that may be released during the brewing process.

People who drink tea are ingesting these tiny plastic particles, some of which may be small enough to enter human cells.  Based on a McGill study, steeping a single plastic tea bag in boiling water releases: 11.6 billion microplastic particles and 3.1 billion nanoplastic particles. Although the effect of microplastics on the human body is still not fully understood, it is a concern. Not only are you consuming plastic from drinking a cup of tea, but disposing of the tea bags further adds to the plastic problem as plastic takes hundreds of years to decompose.

Not all tea bags are alike. Some are made using plastic fibers while others use plastics as sealants. Tea bags shaped like silky pyramids are often made from nylon or other synthetic non-biodegradable materials, other tea bags may use plastic as an adhesive. Fortunately, there are natural, biodegradable tea bags that contain no plastics, staples, or glue.

Two Kosher Brands You Can Trust

1. Eden Foods teabags are made of unbleached manila fiber bags and crimp-sealed with a 100% unbleached cotton string. No bleach, plastics, staples, or glue are used. Certified by the OK
2. Mina Moroccan tea bags are sourced from Japan are made from plant-based materials and do not contain plastic. Certified by the OU

Keep Your Tea Pure

Eliminate plastic and reduce waste by using tea infusers. Infusers are metal cylinders in which you can put loose tea to brew. Infusers come in a variety of shapes and sizes. We tested two brands Teabloom and AdHoc, both available for purchase online.

Teabloom Infusers (with absolutely no plastic)

Teabloom Radiance is a self-contained tea system that can be used from steeping to sipping. This single-serve tea maker includes an insulated double-wall 12-ounce glass mug and a removable stainless steel tea infuser with ultra-fine holes that let the tea steep but prevent particles from entering your cup.

It also has a porcelain lid that keeps the tea warm and can be used as a holder for the tea infuser. Radiance is plastic-free and uses materials that are odor, and stain-free. The double-wall design maintains the temperature inside the cup, while the outside remains cooler.

Teabloom also makes an infuser (similar to the infuser in the Radiance) designed to fit any size teapot or cup. This minimalist stainless-steel infuser has extra-fine holes and is built for everyday use. The infuser comes with a multi-functional porcelain lid, which can keep your tea warm, and doubles as a coaster for the infuser.

History:  Teabloom was founded in 2016 on the belief that tea drinking should be an elevated experience. They focused on creating special moments and unforgettable memories through tea. Teabloom sells premium organic teas (many of which are certified kosher by Kuf K) and a multitude of products from kettles to teacups. Their headquarters is in Fort Lauderdale.

Our Experience: We enjoyed the simplicity and elegance of Teabloom. Their infusers provide ample space for tea leaves. The design was straightforward forward and including a lid was thoughtful and practical (it made it easy to remove the infuser without making a mess) and to reuse the tea for a second brew.

AdHoc Teefilter

AdHoc Schwimmender Teefilter is a floating tea infuser with a stainless-steel bowl and a BPA-free plastic cap and stand. Place the tea into the bowl, cover and put it in your cup.  The infuser floats, although a tiny bit of plastic is in contact with the water. The tiny holes in the stainless-steel bowl let the tea steep but prevent particles from entering your cup. It is small enough to be portable, 1.57″ by 4.72″ with a tea ball that is large enough to accommodate a generous amount of tea leaves.

Our experience: We found it easy to use. Place the tea leaves in the stainless-steel chamber, and put on the soft handle. The soft-touch grip handle made a firm seal with the bowl and made it easy to remove the infuser. We especially liked the plastic base, which caught drips and provided an attractive way to store the infuser between uses.

History: AdHoc was founded in 1995 to develop, design, and produce kitchen products that are simple and elegant, functional and beautiful.  Following the principle that “design follows function” AdHoc products are timeless and practical.

Drink Tea and Relax

Appreciate tea without the microplastics. You can select natural, biodegradable tea-in-bags from Eden Foods or Mina Morocco, or use a tea infuser with loose-leaf teas., the choice is yours.

Relax, and enjoy a cup steeped to perfection.