Infuse, Re-use!
Environmentally conscious tea lovers, rejoice! Loose leaf tea is sustainable and renewable. In the spirit of Earth Day, let’s take a look at some of the ways that buying loose leaf tea can have a positive impact on our environment.
What is sustainability?
- When we refer to a practice as sustainable, we are talking about how long it can be maintained. Sustainable practices such as utilizing renewable resources can be kept up indefinitely.
Renewable vs. non-renewable
- A non-renewable resource, like fossil fuels, must be carefully managed. When we run out of these resources, we are unable to produce more of them.
- A renewable resource, like crops such as tea leaves, can be produced at will. Tea leaves do not need to be conserved; tea has been grown by humankind for hundreds of years. There is always enough tea to go around!
Did you know that tea is grown from shrubs that produce new buds each year?
- When tea leaves are harvested, the tea plant is left intact to continue to produce tea leaves for future harvests.
- Because tea plants remain alive from season to season, farmers take care to thoughtfully conserve their crops. Many tea farmers are concerned with the preservation of the environment to ensure a future where tea will continue to thrive.
Don’t let the leaves go to waste, you can use steeped tea leaves again!
- Each time you steep your tea leaves, feel free to set them aside for steeping a second cup in the same sitting. In the traditional Chinese tea preparation of “Gongfu,” the leaves are steeped up to 7 times. It can be fascinating to taste how the flavor transforms with each steeping.
- Many customers have asked us for tips on what to do with their steeped leaves. Rather than throwing them away, why not give composting a try? They are leaves, after all!
Produce less trash
- If you purchase a reusable tea infuser, you can use it over and over without having to discard it or throw it away. Simply rinse your reusable infuser and set it aside to dry, and you are ready for your next cup.
- Did you know that we offer recyclable packaging options? Our tins are reusable and recyclable. Our packing peanuts are 100% water-soluble cornstarch, not Styrofoam, and can be rinsed safely down the sink.
We hope you find this information helpful! This Earth Day, we invite you to think about what you can do to support sustainability.