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Some tea bags may shed billions of microplastics per cup

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Re: Some tea bags may shed billions of microplastics per cup

#191

Post by cpcallen »

petecox wrote: post #182
sandworm101 wrote: post #154

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>> we save 3.5 million pounds of waste from entering landfills 3.5 million pounds? Of tiny strings and staples? Wouldn't that require literally billions of teabags to reach 3.5 million pounds saved?

Not all brands, obviously, but don't assume the 'bag' itself is biodegradable. Anecdotally, certain fancy tea bags survived an 18 month composting cycle, which I had to then pluck out by hand before spreading said compost on my vegie patch. Be kind to worms!

Most 'biodegradable' plastic is PLA, which will compost but not in home composters, which don't get hot enough.

Re: Some tea bags may shed billions of microplastics per cup

#192

Post by cpcallen »

ccffph wrote: post #82
roboys wrote: post #53

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My buddy used to work for Lipton. He explained that they use the cheapest grade of tea (dust) available. Also many tea companies mix non-tea additives (fillers) to their tea bags. After hearing this I decided, if it's not full loose leaf, I don't drink it. We found that companies like Elephant Chateau ( http://elephantchateau.com ) deliver the 3 highest grades of tea direct from Ceylon mountain estates with the optio…

What's the difference between Elephant Chateau and something like this? https://www.amazon.com/Ahmad-Ceylon-OPA-Tea-Carton/dp/B00110...

Not tried Elephant Chateau, but I have tried the Ahmad Earl Grey, and it was very disappointing compared to, e.g., Twinings.

Re: Some tea bags may shed billions of microplastics per cup

#193

Post by cpcallen »

bsder wrote: post #153
roboys wrote: post #53

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My buddy used to work for Lipton. He explained that they use the cheapest grade of tea (dust) available. Also many tea companies mix non-tea additives (fillers) to their tea bags. After hearing this I decided, if it's not full loose leaf, I don't drink it. We found that companies like Elephant Chateau ( http://elephantchateau.com ) deliver the 3 highest grades of tea direct from Ceylon mountain estates with the optio…

> Elephant Chateau ( http://elephantchateau.com ) deliver the 3 highest grades of tea direct from Ceylon mountain estates with the option for plant-based pyramid bags (soilon) or a free stainless steel infuser. And the "Shop" button takes me to Amazon ? My skepticism radar is going off.

It took you to Amazon? It to me to, of all places, Etsy!

Re: Some tea bags may shed billions of microplastics per cup

#194

Post by jdnenej »

roboys wrote: post #53
simias wrote: post #7

Loose tea is often cheaper and of better quality in my experience. If you brew tea a lot using a reusable strainer seems like a much better choice. I'm also entirely convinced that these plastic pyramid-shaped bags are pure marketing. Then again, I find Lipton tea absolutely terrible regardless of the shape of the bag.

My buddy used to work for Lipton. He explained that they use the cheapest grade of tea (dust) available. Also many tea companies mix non-tea additives (fillers) to their tea bags. After hearing this I decided, if it's not full loose leaf, I don't drink it. We found that companies like Elephant Chateau ( http://elephantchateau.com ) deliver the 3 highest grades of tea direct from Ceylon mountain estates with the optio…

People add sugar to tea O.O?

I understand it for coffee but tea isn't even bitter. That's just insane.

Re: Some tea bags may shed billions of microplastics per cup

#195

Post by Spooky23 »

hdrujvw-4579 wrote: post #84
roboys wrote: post #53

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My buddy used to work for Lipton. He explained that they use the cheapest grade of tea (dust) available. Also many tea companies mix non-tea additives (fillers) to their tea bags. After hearing this I decided, if it's not full loose leaf, I don't drink it. We found that companies like Elephant Chateau ( http://elephantchateau.com ) deliver the 3 highest grades of tea direct from Ceylon mountain estates with the optio…

pg tips used to sell a tea that came in a brown/oragne box. It was rich and tasty but somehow they discontinued it. Lipton and many teas in the US taste of cardboard. It baffles me how people find anything in it to keep buying it.

It’s part of people’s morning habit and tough to break. My grandparents drank a ton of Lipton or Tetley tea. I literally didn’t realize there was anything else until college!

Re: Some tea bags may shed billions of microplastics per cup

#196

Post by Spooky23 »

cpcallen wrote: post #192
ccffph wrote: post #82

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What's the difference between Elephant Chateau and something like this? https://www.amazon.com/Ahmad-Ceylon-OPA-Tea-Carton/dp/B00110...

Not tried Elephant Chateau, but I have tried the Ahmad Earl Grey, and it was very disappointing compared to, e.g., Twinings.

I’ve noticed that many of the fancy tea companies make an earl grey that is way too bergamot-y.

Re: Some tea bags may shed billions of microplastics per cup

#197

Post by ajcarpy2005 »

roboys wrote: post #53
simias wrote: post #7

Loose tea is often cheaper and of better quality in my experience. If you brew tea a lot using a reusable strainer seems like a much better choice. I'm also entirely convinced that these plastic pyramid-shaped bags are pure marketing. Then again, I find Lipton tea absolutely terrible regardless of the shape of the bag.

My buddy used to work for Lipton. He explained that they use the cheapest grade of tea (dust) available. Also many tea companies mix non-tea additives (fillers) to their tea bags. After hearing this I decided, if it's not full loose leaf, I don't drink it. We found that companies like Elephant Chateau ( http://elephantchateau.com ) deliver the 3 highest grades of tea direct from Ceylon mountain estates with the optio…

I have found Tai Chi Green Tea to be the best. They keep the tea refrigerated instead of letting the tea leaves dry out.

Re: Some tea bags may shed billions of microplastics per cup

#198

Post by Spooky23 »

bsder wrote: post #153
roboys wrote: post #53

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My buddy used to work for Lipton. He explained that they use the cheapest grade of tea (dust) available. Also many tea companies mix non-tea additives (fillers) to their tea bags. After hearing this I decided, if it's not full loose leaf, I don't drink it. We found that companies like Elephant Chateau ( http://elephantchateau.com ) deliver the 3 highest grades of tea direct from Ceylon mountain estates with the optio…

> Elephant Chateau ( http://elephantchateau.com ) deliver the 3 highest grades of tea direct from Ceylon mountain estates with the option for plant-based pyramid bags (soilon) or a free stainless steel infuser. And the "Shop" button takes me to Amazon ? My skepticism radar is going off.

Try Upton.

They sell an insanely broad array of teas.

Re: Some tea bags may shed billions of microplastics per cup

#199

Post by radlad »

jdnenej wrote: post #194
roboys wrote: post #53

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My buddy used to work for Lipton. He explained that they use the cheapest grade of tea (dust) available. Also many tea companies mix non-tea additives (fillers) to their tea bags. After hearing this I decided, if it's not full loose leaf, I don't drink it. We found that companies like Elephant Chateau ( http://elephantchateau.com ) deliver the 3 highest grades of tea direct from Ceylon mountain estates with the optio…

People add sugar to tea O.O? I understand it for coffee but tea isn't even bitter. That's just insane.

Honey in tea is very common.

Re: Some tea bags may shed billions of microplastics per cup

#200

Post by julianz »

This is bad, but most "paper" tea bags still include plastic in their manufacture as part of the heat sealing. English article about which brands do and don't here, note that it's all the mass market brands that include plastic, so that's most of the market.

https://www.countryliving.com/uk/create/food-and-drink/news/...

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