Some tea bags may shed billions of microplastics per cup

Re:Some tea bags may shed billions of microplastics per cup by mumblemumble on Wednesday September 25, 2019 @03:30PM (#21074391)

FWIW, I'm personally fond of tea dust for cold brew, too. This summer I've been very much enjoying gyokuro dust steeped overnight in the fridge as my morning beverage. Not only is it less expensive than the whole leaf stuff (essentially free vs. some of the most expensive tea I own), but I think that works better with that brewing method, too.

Probably the main reason I don't use Lipton instead of the good stuff when I'm making cold brew is that I dislike all the packaging waste. Between the brewing method and the serving temperature, I don't necessarily find the taste alone to be enough better to justify the higher price.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Some tea bags may shed billions of microplastics per cup by 9nGQluzmnq3M on Wednesday September 25, 2019 @10:09PM (#21077499)

Gyokuro is supposed to be high grade tea leaves grown in the shade, which are then ground into powder. (This is basically how matcha is made.)

By contrast, the tea dust that Lipton uses is the leftovers when all the higher-grade roasted whole leaves have been taken out, and it's quite literally the worst/cheapest grade:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tea_leaf_grading

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Some tea bags may shed billions of microplastics per cup by ozzmotik on Wednesday September 25, 2019 @11:46PM (#21077980)

where do you get your gyokuro from? the last time I had it was literally almost a decade ago and I absolutely loved it but I haven't been able to really find it except for expensive online retailers that strike me more as vanity brands than anything. but if you know of any good sources, id love to check them out

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Some tea bags may shed billions of microplastics per cup by uadjet on Friday September 27, 2019 @01:26AM (#21088710)

https://www.hibiki-an.com/sp/index.php/cPath/21

This is a farm I quite like. They're high quality and not a terrible price point since your buying directly from the farmer without a middleman.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Some tea bags may shed billions of microplastics per cup by mumblemumble on Thursday September 26, 2019 @01:24PM (#21083174)

I get it from a local tea place that specializes in chinese and japanese teas. It looks like the price I'm paying is a bit higher than what I'm seeing from a cursory look on the Internet. No idea how the quality compares.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Some tea bags may shed billions of microplastics per cup by thinnerlizzy on Wednesday September 25, 2019 @06:05PM (#21076097)

I've been using Lipton for this purpose and don't like all the packaging either. What do you use to contain the dust while you brew overnight? I make mine in a pitcher that lasts a few days.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Some tea bags may shed billions of microplastics per cup by mumblemumble on Wednesday September 25, 2019 @08:33PM (#21077044)

I use a travel mug with a strainer cup that fits snugly inside. In the morning I pour it out without removing the strainer, so whatever dust fell through and collected in the bottom ends up getting filtered out when it goes back through the wet bits of leaf.

[ Parent | on HN ]