International Tea Day 2025: Consuming Tea Bags Might Harm Your Body, Know Side Effects, Alternatives, and More

International Tea Day 2025: Tea, a beverage loved by billions of people around the world, has a significant cultural and economic impact. International Tea Day highlights this universal appreciation every year on May 21st. This day was declared by the United Nations General Assembly in 2019, in recognition of tea’s long history, cultural relevance, and economic importance worldwide.

International Tea Day Significance

The major goal of this day is to raise awareness of tea’s long history and profound cultural and economic significance around the world, as well as to promote sustainable production and consumption. It also emphasises the role of tea in rural development and income production, particularly in tea-producing countries.

In 2015, the FAO Intergovernmental Group on Tea introduced the concept of International Tea Day. Prior to the UN’s official recognition, various tea-producing countries, including India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Vietnam, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Kenya, Malawi, Malaysia, Uganda, and Tanzania, observed a similar “International Tea Day” on December 15th, 2005. The date was then shifted to 21st May.

Invention of Tea Bag

The creation of the tea bag is frequently attributed to Thomas Sullivan, a New York tea dealer, in 1908. He reportedly supplied samples of tea in little silk bags to his customers, who mistakenly steeped the full bag instead of emptying it. The convenience of this approach quickly gained popularity, and tea bags progressed from silk to gauze and, eventually, paper fibre.

Tea bags now dominate the global tea market due to their convenience, portability, and quick brewing time. This excessive consumption, however, has raised various concerns about their manufacturing and impact.

How Tea Bags Are Made

The majority of tea bags are composed of paper, primarily bleached wood pulp, which is frequently combined with a tiny proportion of synthetic fibres such as polypropylene to offer strength and heat-sealing properties. Some luxury tea bags are made of “silken” material, which is typically nylon or PET (polyethylene terephthalate), a form of plastic. These plastic-based tea bags are frequently used for whole leaf teas, providing a more visually appealing presentation and allowing for more efficient infusion.

The tea leaves within are usually fannings and dust, the smallest particles left behind following the manufacture of loose-leaf tea. This finer version of tea absorbs fast, adding to the tea bag’s usefulness.

Side Effects of Tea Bags

The widespread use of tea bags has raised questions about their potential downsides:

Microplastics

One major concern with plastic-based tea bags (nylon, PET, or polypropylene blends) is the introduction of microplastics and nanoplastics into the brewed tea. According to studies, a single plastic tea bag can discharge billions of microplastic and nanoplastic particles into a cup. The long-term health ramifications of eating these plastic particles are still being studied, but preliminary findings point to possible risks for human health.

Chemical Leaching

Even paper tea bags offer a risk. To prevent them from breaking down in hot water, some paper tea bags are coated with epichlorohydrin, a possible carcinogen. Furthermore, the bleaching agents used to whiten tea bags can contain dangerous substances.

Lower Quality Tea

Most tea bags contain lower-grade tea leaves, known as “dust” or “fannings.” This means you may get less flavour, fewer healthy ingredients, and maybe more pollutants than whole-leaf tea.

Environmental Impact

The sheer number of tea bags consumed worldwide generates a significant waste problem. Plastic-based tea bags are nonbiodegradable and contribute to plastic pollution. Even “biodegradable” paper tea bags may contain plastic components, preventing complete disintegration. The industrial process itself has an environmental impact, from bleaching to synthetic fibre synthesis.

How to Find Out if Your Tea Bags Are Safe or Not

• Some companies openely label their tea bags as plastic-free or completely compostable. This indicates that they are made of plant-based materials, such as maize starch (PLA) or abaca fibre.

• If a tea bag appears silky or meshy, it is most likely made of plastic (nylon or PET). Paper tea bags are usually opaque and feel more fibrous.

• You can do a simple “Rip” test at home after brewing: if the tea bag feels highly durable and does not easily rip when wet, it may contain plastic fibres. Paper tea bags, particularly those without polyethylene, are more delicate when wet.

• Look for brands who are open about their sourcing and manufacturing practices. Many ethical tea firms prioritise environmentally friendly and healthy processes.

• Choosing organic tea assures that the tea leaves are free of pesticides and other hazardous chemicals, which contributes to a healthier beverage.

• The most certain approach to eliminate tea bag issues is to convert to loose leaf tea with a reusable infuser.

What to Use Instead of Tea Bags

For poeple looking to improve their tea-drinking experience, there are several alternatives to traditional tea bags:

• Loose Leaf Tea is the most traditional and frequently the most flavourful choice. Loose leaf teas have a greater range of grades, origins, and processing methods, resulting in a more complex and subtle flavour profile. They also provide you more control over the strength of your brew.

• You can use reusable tea infusers and strainers. These come in a variety of forms and sizes, including stainless steel mesh balls and silicone designs. They are meant to carry loose leaf tea that may be steeped directly in your cup or teapot. They are long-lasting, easy to clean, and reduce waste.

• The French Press, which is generally associated with coffee, can also be used to brew loose leaf tea, particularly with larger leaves.

• Many teapots feature an inbuilt infuser basket, making loose leaf brewing quite convenient.