Tea lovers, gather around! Have you ever stopped mid-sip and wondered how tea bags becamethe way to brew our beloved cuppa? Or, even more importantly,what's actually inside those little pouches floating in your mug?

Spoiler alert: It’s notjust tea leaves. 

Let’s unravel the unexpected history of tea bags, the not-so-refreshing truth about what they’re made of, and how you can make your daily brew bothdelicious andplanet-friendly.✨

An Accidental Invention: The Origin of Tea Bags

Once upon a time (okay, in the early 1900s), a New York tea merchant named Thomas Sullivan started sending outsamples of his tea in small silk bags instead of the traditional metal tins to cut costs. His customers, assuming this was anewfangled brewing method, dunked the whole thing in hot water—string, bag, and all. Sullivan, realising he was onto something, refined the design and started sellingtea in convenient little silk pouches. And just like that, the tea bag was born… by accident!

By the 1920s, tea companies began experimenting with materials like cheesecloth, gauze, and cellophane before settling on perforated paper fibre as the most cost-effective choice for mass-produced tea bags.Soon after, plastic became an even cheaper alternative. Fast forward to today, and many of us don’t think twice about tossing a tea bag into our cup. But perhaps we should because that’s where the plastic problem starts to seep in

What’s Lurking Inside Your Tea Bag?

Modern tea bags—especially the fancy pyramid-shaped ones—are often made from or containplastic materials like nylon and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) to help them hold their shape. Unfortunately, these plastics don’t just stay in the bag. A 2019 study found that a single plastic tea bag can release11 billion microplastic particles into your tea. BILLIONS. 🤯 

Even paper-based tea bags aren’t completely innocent. Many are sealed with polypropylene, a type of plastic that doesn’t break down easily, meaning it not only sneaks into your tea but also contributes towaste that lingers in the environment. 

If that’s not enough to make you rethink your tea-drinking habits, another study found that some chemical residues from plastic tea bags candisrupt hormone levels. And honestly, the only thing we want our tea to be steeped in is water—nottoxins. 

There’s a Better Way!

Alright, so what’s the alternative? We’re not suggesting you abandon tea altogether (as if!). Instead, let’s bring tea back to its roots:loose-leaf brewing. 🌱

Loose-leaf teatastes better, bringsmore benefits, andreduces waste. And before you start worrying about the hassle—don’t! That’s where stainless steel tea strainers come in.

Here atGo For Zero, we’re all about eco-friendly swaps that actually make life easier. Ourstainless steel tea strainers let you enjoy the purest version of your favourite tea without any hidden nasties.

• The Stainless Steel Tea Strainer (Cup) is perfect for your at-home tea ritual. It has a very fine mesh, so the smallest tea can’t escape, meaning no floaties. Just pop your loose-leaf tea in, steep, and enjoy.

• The Stainless Steel Tea Strainer (Pipe) has bigger mesh holes, so we advise this when you have big tea leaves. This one is great for when you are on-the-go, travelling, at work, or anywhere you need a quick brew.

Both options areplastic-free, reusable, and long-lasting, meaning less waste and zero microplastics in your cup. Plus, they’re super easy to clean—because nobody has time for fussy tea accessories. 

Fun Fact: The World’s Most Expensive Tea Costs More Than a House!

Tea is fancy, but some teas take it toanother level. Ever heard of Da-Hong Pao tea? This legendary Chinese tea is so rare and revered that a single kilogram once sold for over $1 million! Imagine accidentallyspilling that cup... 😅

A Tea Revolution

The bottom line? Not all tea is brewed equally. While tea bags may seemharmless, they often come with a side of plastic, chemicals, and waste. Switching toloose-leaf tea and a reusable plastic-free strainer isn’t just better for your health—it’s a simple and powerful way to help the planet. 🌏

Happy plastic-free brewing legends, 

With love,
Ellie x