When I first began steeping tea — both loose leaves and bags — I often thought it was such a waste to just throw them away. I’ve since begun to re-steep leaves a second time, bury tea bags in our garden, and use them as eye masks now and then. I began to wonder what other uses tea leaves might have, including whether or not I could actually eat the leaves and potentially use them to boost the nutritional value of our dinners. In case you’ve wondered, too, here’s what you need to know.
Tea leaves are edible. They can be used in cooking, as a marinade, a rub, and as an ingredient in many different dish preparations. To ensure safety, steep the leaves first and only consume high quality organically grown tea.
While the short answer to this question is “yes,” there are a few things to take into consideration.
In addition, even if you don’t decide to eat tea leaves after steeping, there are several effective and creative ways to get more use from them.
Let’s cover the health benefits of tea leaves, how to ingest them safely, and how else you can use them.
Is it Safe to Eat Steeped Tea Leaves? Plus 4 Safety Tips
Tea leaves that have already been steeped are called “spent” tea leaves.
In fact, tea leaves should be steeped before eating them or using them in recipes. Using leaves after they’ve been steeped ensures that you get the most out of them.
Although eating steeped tea leaves is generally considered to be safe, there are a few safety concerns to be aware of.
As such, here are 4 tips for making sure that your steeped tea leaves are safe to eat:
Tip #1: Use Quickly Before Bacteria Develops
One of the most important things to remember when eating steeped tea leaves is that after brewing them they quickly lose their integrity and begin to degrade. It’s important to use them before potentially harmful bacteria develop.
If you plan to consume or cook with the tea leaves, you should plan to use them within 3-4 hours after they’ve been steeped.
If you simply want to reuse your tea leaves for a second steeping and cup of tea, you can also dry them out to avoid bacteria.
For loose tea leaves, you can dry them with the following steps:
- Gather the leaves from your tea infuser or tea strainer.
- Gently press them with a clean cloth or paper towel to remove as much water as possible
- Spread the leaves out to just one layer on a tray or plate. Be sure to separate the leaves as much as possible.
- Leave them out in an area that has good circulation. This helps to dry the leaves as quickly as possible. Avoid damp, enclosed areas such as a laundry room or cold areas such as the refrigerator.
- Use the leaves by the next day to avoid any increased risk of bacteria.
Tip #2: Purchase High-Quality Organic Leaves
Some tea leaves contain traces of heavy metals such as lead and types of this contamination. If you can confirm that the tea leaves were grown in safe soil that is guaranteed to not be contaminated by lead, the threat goes away.
It’s also best to make sure that the tea leaves you eat have been organically grown without pesticides or potentially harmful chemicals. This is similar to the concern over the condition of the soil. You don’t want to consume leaves that have been contaminated with harmful substances.
Tip #3: Don’t Eat Tea Leaves on an Empty Stomach
Another concern is stomach sensitivity. If drinking tea on an empty stomach makes you feel queasy, you have a sensitivity to it. If this is the case, it might not be a good idea to eat tea leaves on an empty stomach.
Tip #4: Take Note of Allergies and Over-Consumption
Allergic reactions and side effects of over consumption are other concerns.
It’s important to make sure that you don’t have allergies to the tea leaves you’re eating.
In addition, eating too many tea leaves can give you a strong dose of caffeine. While the caffeine in tea leaves is different than the kind that’s found in coffee beans, it can still lead to stimulant side effects. Caffeine is a drug and it should be treated as such.
Can You Eat Tea Leaves from a Tea Bag?
Technically, you can eat leaves from a tea bag. However, the general quality of tea bag leaves is much lower than loose leaf teas.
If you are interested in eating tea bag leaves, or using them in cooking, be to purchase the highest quality organic teas possible.
One Caution
Often, the tea leaves in tea bags, particularly in the lower-priced, lower-quality teas contain a less desirable tea leaves. Most of it is ground and a good share of it is taken from the dust that is called fannings. Some companies even sweep the factory floors when making tea bags and use these leftovers to produce the bags. It doesn’t sound appetizing or healthy, does it?
One Benefit
On the other hand, the benefit of eating this finely ground tea is that the amount of processing it goes through could add extra value.
The extra processing causes the tannins and polyphenols to be released in higher quantities. These are what provide you with the flavoring and the enzymes that yield the greatest health benefits.
In addition, the finely ground leaves from a bag can more easily be used in recipes such as frostings, cakes and confections, and other dishes because of its finely ground consistency.
“Eating steeped tea leaves can offer a dense level of antioxidants, as well as heart and dental benefits.”
TEA CROSSING
Are there Health Benefits from Eating Tea Leaves? 5 Benefits
Studies have shown that under most circumstances, eating tea leaves is healthy.
In fact, there are some great benefits associated with consuming the leaves, some of which may even be greater than drinking tea as a beverage.
The health benefits I discuss below are similar to the overall benefits you gain from drinking tea.
According to ongoing research, the difference seems to be in the intensity of the benefits.
Here are 5 health benefits of eating steeped tea leaves.
Benefit #1: Antioxidant Boost
Eating tea leaves gives you a higher dose of antioxidants over brewed tea. Antioxidants are substances that help to strengthen your immune system, improve cell health and ward off illness. In fact, eating steeped leaves can increase the antioxidants by over 12,000 times.
Benefit #2: Improved Heart Health
Studies that eating tea leaves helps to improve your overall cardiac health. Tea leaves contain ingredients that are good for your circulatory system. For example, tea leaves improve cholesterol levels as well as your blood vessel and endothelial function.
Information collected from study findings at the Academy for Nutrition and Dietetics suggests that consuming black tea lowers the incidence of heart attacks, and green tea consumption lowers cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
Benefit #3: Cancer Prevention
Studies also show that eating tea leaves can lower your chances of getting cancer. The catechins found in tea are powerful antioxidants that have been linked positively with fighting cancer.
Benefit #4: Dental Benefits
Although tea does tend to stain teeth, there have been some great findings when it comes to oral health benefits. It helps to promote healthy gums and to prevent tooth loss and decay.
In fact, one study states that:
“It has been suggested that green tea also promotes periodontal health by reducing inflammation, preventing bone resorption and limiting the growth of certain bacteria associated with periodontal diseases.”
Benefit #5: Weight Loss
Eating tea can also help you to lose weight faster. The health benefits of tea leaves are apparently even more potent when the leaves are eaten. Because the taste may not appeal to everyone, it’s also important to note that they are more effective when eaten without added sugar.
Which Types of Tea Leaves are the Best to Eat?
This depends on the benefits you hope to get from the tea leaves.
Each of the teas listed below all come from the same type of plant, the shrub-like Camellia sinensis. It is the processing method that makes them different.
The five “true” tea types include:
- Black tea
- Green tea
- Oolong tea
- Pu-erh tea
- White tea
Other kinds of “teas” include tisanes. Even though we all tend to call and categorize them as tea, “Tisanes” are herbal teas and special infusions, such as teas made with fruit or flowers. They all may contain a variety of different ingredients and flavorings.
Focusing on the five true teas derived from the Camellia sinensis plant, here are the benefits for each:
Black Tea
Eating black tea leaves can give you a strong dose of antioxidants that are known to improve overall health. This type can help in lowering blood pressure, improve cardiovascular health, and lower your risk of developing diabetes. In smaller amounts it can also help to give you a mild stimulant effect and help to improve focus and mental processing.
Green Tea
A lot of research has been done on the benefits of green tea. Eating the leaves increases the benefits as long as you don’t overdo it. Some of the most popular types of Green Tea leaves for eating include Matcha, Genmaicha, and Sencha. It’s been used for centuries to help improve mood, to help in weight loss programs, to promote a healthy immune system, and more. It also offers benefits for cardiovascular health, blood sugar regulation, and blood pressure maintenance.
White Tea
White tea is one of the best for people who are sensitive to caffeine. It contains a quarter of the amount that is found in coffee. The leaves are picked when they are young and they are minimally processed. This gives them a light and mild flavor. White tea is high in polyphenols which makes them as healthy as green tea, offering all same of the health benefits.
Oolong Tea
Oolong tea is made from leaves that are partially oxidized. It is processed much like green teas. The flavor is influenced by the amount of oxidization and some varieties taste more like black tea while others, closer to green ta. It is loaded with healthy antioxidants and it is loaded with polyphenols and bioactive compounds. It contains a wider range of these substances that is equal to all of those found in both black and green teas, making it even healthier, offering all of the health benefits of both.
Pu-erh Tea
Pu-erh tea (pronounced “poo-are” or “poo-air” depending on who you ask) leaves undergo a fermenting process. There is great promise according to researchers, for this tea to deliver important health benefits. It is known to help improve the health of people with metabolic syndrome. This is good news for anyone with the condition that is looking for natural remedies, but it’s wise to consume Pu-erh tea leaves in moderately low amounts until more is known about the potential side effects.
Are there Reasons NOT to Eat Tea Leaves?
Even with all of the health reasons behind eating steeped tea leaves, there are a few reasons why it just may not be a good idea for you.
The consensus is that if the leaves are grown in uncontaminated soil with a guarantee that no pesticides have been used in farming them, and no chemicals for processing, there really aren’t any reasons why you shouldn’t eat tea leaves.
However, as with any type of nutrient-dense food, you might have an allergy or other reaction.
Here are four reasons to consider avoiding eating steeped tea leaves:
- Don’t eat low-quality tea leaves, loose or especially bagged.
- Don’t eat the tea leaves of anything to which you have a known allergy.
- Don’t eat tea leaves is it causes stomach sensitivity for you.
- Don’t eat too many high-caffeine tea leaves (such as black tea leaves). If you are sensitive to caffeine, you could an unpleasant caffeine reaction.
“Reusing tea leaves is a fun, creative, responsible outlet.”
TEA CROSSING
How Can I Re-Use Steeped Tea Leaves (Loose or Bags)? 5 Creative Uses
Steeped tea leaves can be used in a variety of ways.
Tea leaves are versatile and amazing natural fresheners that work well for neutralizing odors. They’re also great for adding to recipes for health benefits are for use as beauty aids.
Here are 6 ways you can re-use steeped tea leaves, both loose and bagged:
Creative Use #1: Use as a Window Cleaner
Steeped tea leaves contain properties that make them amazing window cleaners. The substances in the tea cut through window grime and help to loosen it for easy removal. You’ll notice after you wipe them clean that there is a squeaky clean sparkle to your glass.
Creative Use #2: Make a Foot Bath
Green tea is the best ingredient for making a foot bath. The catechins found in green tea are soothing because they offer antibacterial, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory compounds. The used tea leaves can impart enough of these substances to help sooth your feet and improve the health of the skin.
Creative Use #3: Use as a Fabric Stain
Black and Orange Pekoe teas are amazing for creating fabric dyes. The spent steeped leaves are used to create an antique or vintage appeal on white and other light fabric.
Creative Use #4: Create Your Own Eye Masks
White and green tea leaves are the best for making a refreshing eye mask. The anti-inflammatory properties of the catechins, also have anti-aging compounds. When you fill cotton tea bags with the leaves and soak them in warm to hot water, then cool them, they make an excellent eye mask.
Creative Use #5: Sprinkle on a Salad
Steeped tea leaves are great for adding to any kind of food dishes. You can sprinkle them on a salad or add to dishes you plan to cook or bake for an extra dose of healthy ingredients.
Creative Use #5: Make a Meat Rub
Combine your favorite steeped leaves with salt and pepper, and rub on meat or fish before cooking.
Finding additional ways to make the most of your tea leaves might give you a fun, creative, and responsible outlet. I’m always in favor of reusing whatever we have, and that includes my tea leaves!