We continue to experience cooler temperatures and rainy conditions here in the panhandle of Florida. I have really been enjoying snuggling up under a blanket in front of our fireplace while revisiting Christmas movies or exposing myself to new ones. I finally got to watch The Christmas Story all the way through a couple of nights ago. If you haven’t seen this funny tale, its the movie with the young boy who has a very over active imagination who wants a BB gun for Christmas and his Dad wins a leg lamp! While we were near Chickasha Oklahoma in April this year we got to visit and pose beside a huge reproduction of that leg lamp. There is a story behind why this city in Oklahoma has said leg lamp featured in its little downtown, but I will let you guys look it up on the www if you are curious for more details. Lets just say in person its quite a sight to behold!
Anyways, with these cooler temperatures and movie watching I have been enjoying more cups, well really mugs of tea. I have never been one to be a fancy tea drinker. Growing up we put the kettle on several times a day, placed a tea bag in a mug, added boiling water, let the bag steep maybe a few minutes, added milk and sugar, grabbed the biscuit tin and proceeded to head to the dining room table or nearest settee (sofa/couch) to partake. This process hasn’t really changed much over the years. I do have a one person tea pot that travels with us, so when I want to be a little fancier I get that out or offer it to a visiting friend, but still use tea bags. In storage we have some tea strainers and I have used them with tea leaves a few times. If you have used tea leaves before to make your cuppa you know the tea really does taste better and I am finding out is more healthy for you. Who would have thought that plastic was used in tea bags that then seeps into your favourite cup? There has been more and more information coming out as companies change their practices. What had me going down a rabbit hole was some small print on a huge box of PG tips I bought from the British section of a overwhelming large store in Cincinnati Ohio. As it works out, especially the pyramid tea bags have been more susceptible to contain plastic because of their construction. In all my years of tea drinking I had never thought about what my tea bags were made of and apparently the information has been out for several years and I am just now learning about it. As with any information I learn there is nothing I can do about what I have consumed in the past, but I am going to think about who and what I buy from in the future. I liked the following article when I was googling because I felt it was well written and straight to the point: https://rosielovestea.com/blog/microplastics-in-tea-bags-the-hidden-health-hazard
I also found many sites that offer their research on companies that sell tea bags that are plastic free. Here are a couple of links that lists several companies, many that will be familiar to you from walking the beverage aisle at the local grocery store to make an informed decision when buying your next box of tea bags:
Best Plastic Free Tea Bags in 2023 – Safe, Sustainable and Compostable!
https://www.greencompostables.com/blog/plastic-free-tea-bags.
If you have a favourite brand of tea and don’t see it mentioned I encourage you to do your own research for peace of mind. I would love to know your thoughts and if there is a tea that you love that I should try please share your experiences. Always growing and learning. Love to each of you- Lou
