The Tea on Wellness

Why Loose Leaf Tea Is Healthier

• Vidya

Share episode

Preview
Discover why loose leaf tea is the healthier choice in Orange County and what you need to know about natural flavors and microplastics in tea bags.

Why This Episode Matters
Most people reach for tea bags without thinking about what is inside the bag itself. The truth is that many commercial teas contain natural flavors that are not as simple as they sound, and many tea bags contain plastic fibers that can shed into your cup. If you are trying to support your health, your hormones, or your nervous system, what carries your tea can matter just as much as the tea you choose.

In this episode of The Tea on Wellness, I break down what natural flavors really are, why so many tea companies use them, and what the term can hide. We also talk about the growing concern around microplastics in tea bags, what the research is showing, and how you can avoid unnecessary plastic in your daily ritual without giving up convenience.

You will walk away with a clear understanding of why loose leaf tea is often the better choice for both flavor and wellness, and how to find plastic free tea bags, organic blends, and vegan friendly options in Laguna Beach, Orange County, and beyond.

Loose Leaf vs Tea Bags: What Is Really Going On
Loose leaf tea gives the leaves room to open up and release their full flavor and beneficial compounds. Many mass market tea bags, especially those with dust and fannings, are built for speed and cost, not quality. When you combine that with added natural flavors and plastic based bags, you often end up with a drink that tastes strong but does not feel clean in the body.

At Tea and Turmeric, we focus on organic loose leaf teas and plastic free tea bags because we want your ritual to support your health, not work against it. In this episode, I explain how we source, what we avoid, and how people in Laguna Beach and across OC are noticing the difference when they switch to loose leaf and safer tea bag options.

What You Will Learn

  • what natural flavors really mean on a tea label and how those flavors are made
  • why many tea bags contain hidden plastics and what current research suggests for our health
  • practical ways to avoid microplastics in your tea without giving up convenience
  • why loose leaf tea usually provides better flavor, aroma, and wellness benefits
  • where to find plastic free tea bags, vegan tea blends, and organic loose leaf teas in Laguna Beach, Orange County, and Southern California

Takeaway
Healthy tea is about more than the herbs in your cup. When you choose loose leaf tea or plastic free bags and skip unnecessary natural flavors, you are choosing a cleaner ritual that respects both your body and the plants you are working with.

Stay Connected

Come visit us in Laguna Beach or explore our teas and spices anytime at teaandturmeric.com.

We share recipes, brewing tips, and behind-the-scenes moments on Instagram at @teanturmeric.

Got a question or a story about how tea is helping you? Email me and the team at hello@teaandturmeric.com

If this episode brought you a little calm or clarity, tapping follow and leaving a quick review helps more people in Orange County and beyond find the show. Thank you for supporting our little wellness community.

What’s really floating in your teacup these days? 

No, seriously, have you checked? With “natural flavors” that sound mysterious and the microplastics-in-tea-bags conversation heating up everywhere, it’s time to get real about what’s swirling around in your daily brew. Today, I’m breaking down the facts, busting myths, and sharing why so many folks in Orange County are ditching the tea bag for loose leaf tea, one clean, delicious cup at a time.

Welcome to The Tea on Wellness

Hello and welcome back to The Tea on Wellness! I’m Vidya, and I’m so happy you’re joining me today. Whether you’re tuning in from Laguna Beach, somewhere else in Orange County, or listening from farther away, I hope you’ve got a cozy mug in hand. Today, we’re digging into what’s really in your tea… what those “natural flavors” actually mean, the truth about microplastics in tea bags, and why I’m so passionate about loose leaf tea. Plus, I’ll share a little bit about how we source our tea bags, because it matters to us and I know that matters to a lot of you.

Let’s get started.

Natural Flavors: What Do They Mean?

Natural Flavors - What’s Really in Your Cup? First, let’s talk about “natural flavors.” I get this question a lot in the shop: “What exactly are natural flavors? Are they safe? Are they bad for you? Are they vegan?” I love that you ask, because it means you care about what goes into your body.

When you see “natural flavor” on our Tea & Turmeric tea blends, here’s what it actually means:

It’s an FDA-regulated essential oil, essence, extract, or distillate sourced from natural plant or animal sources. For the tea world, it’s always a natural plant source like spices, fruits, veggies, botanicals, roots, or bark.

But, what does that actually mean?

Microplastics in Tea Bags: Should You Worry?

For us, it’s pretty simple. No artificial junk. No weird chemicals. Just real extracts from fruits, spices, herbs, botanicals, and even veggies.

The extracts are prepared in a controlled environment and are federally regulated. That’s how we make sure every batch tastes the same and the source is always something you’d recognize from nature.

The Beauty of Loose Leaf Tea

You might be wondering… so, why use them at all? Well, sometimes dried fruit or spices on their own don’t deliver that pop of flavor in every sip. I like to think of natural flavors as to tea what extracts are to baking. For example, in an almond cake, you use both almonds and almond extract because the almonds alone aren’t enough to flavor the cake.

Also, teas are steeped for a short time, a maximum of 5 minutes, which isn’t much time to extract flavors from dried ingredients. Natural extracts help us make sure your peach tea actually tastes like peach every single time. They’re not there to hide anything; just to help those natural flavors shine.

You might see natural flavors or extracts on our label. Sometimes creating that perfect taste means blending a few different extracts, like mixing paint colors to get the exact shade you want. It’s all about giving you that delicious, recognizable flavor… naturally.

If you’re wondering why we don’t list every single extract, here’s the honest answer: our tea partners are true artists, and their recipes are like a chef’s secret sauce. They keep those blends under wraps. But we’re extremely selective about who we work with and completely trust them. So you can trust that what’s in your cup comes from a natural source.

Microplastics in Tea Bags - What’s the Real Story?

Now, let’s get into a topic getting more attention lately: microplastics in tea bags. If you’ve heard about this, you might wonder if you need to worry.

Here’s the deal:

Many tea bags, especially the fancy, silky pyramid-shaped ones, aren’t made from paper. They’re made from plastics like nylon or polyethylene. Even paper tea bags are usually sealed with a thin plastic strip. When you pour hot water over these bags, tiny plastic particles can end up in your tea. We’re talking billions of microplastics and even smaller nanoplastics in a single cup.

The long-term health effects are still being studied, but it’s definitely something more people care about, especially here in Southern California where wellness and sustainability are important.

The Beauty of Loose Leaf Tea?

So, what’s the solution? For us at Tea & Turmeric, it’s simple: loose leaf tea.

  • We’re a loose leaf tea shop through and through. We love the ritual of brewing loose leaf tea, it’s part of the experience. We’ve got all the infusers, strainers, and cute cups to make it easy and fun.
  • But we get it… sometimes you just need the convenience of a tea bag.

When you brew loose leaf tea, you see exactly what you’re getting: whole leaves, real herbs, spices, dried fruit, nothing hidden. You’re not only avoiding microplastics, you’re also getting a better cup. The leaves have room to open up and release their full flavor, so your tea tastes richer and more complex. For tea lovers in Orange County, embracing loose leaf tea can truly elevate your tea game.

Brewing loose leaf tea can also be a little ritual. Measuring out your tea, watching the leaves unfurl, taking in the aroma, it’s a moment of mindfulness in your day. And if you’re worried about convenience, there are many easy-to-use infusers and strainers available. You don’t have to be a tea expert to enjoy great tea.

Our Tea Bags: Clean and Trusted

That said, we know sometimes you want grab-and-go convenience. Maybe you’re at work, traveling, or need something quick. That’s why we offer our own empty tea bags made from unbleached paper. We get these tea bags made for us in India by a trusted supplier.

We know exactly where they come from and have built a relationship with our source over time. These bags are free from microplastics and bleach, so you can enjoy your tea with peace of mind, even on the go. This is part of our commitment to Tea & Turmeric quality and providing pure, natural ingredients.

Making Informed Tea Choices

Wrapping Up - Your Wellness, Your Choice

At the end of the day, my goal is to help you make choices that feel good for your body and your lifestyle. Whether you’re reaching for our Tea & Turmeric loose leaf blends or using one of our safe, simple tea bags, you should feel confident about what’s in your cup.

For those in Southern California looking to optimize wellness, knowing these details about your tea is a powerful step.

So, as you sip your next cup, I’d love for you to think about this:

  • Does knowing what goes into your tea change how you enjoy it?
  • Are there flavors you’re curious to try now that you know how we source and blend our teas?
  • Or perhaps new loose leaf varieties you’re eager to explore?

Listener Call-to-Action

If you ever have questions about ingredients, brewing, or anything else, we’re always here to help.

Thank you so much for spending time with me on The Tea on Wellness. Until next time, steep well and live naturally.