How to Make Green Tea Bags

Skip the store and make your own green tea bags.

Green tea is known for its antioxidant properties and is easy to make at home. Tea bags are an easy item to make and can be used and reused many times. They make great gifts and can be included in gift baskets or placed into personalized mugs along with a few ounces of quality loose-leaf green tea.

Things You'll Need

• Ruler
• Scissors
• Muslin or cheesecloth
• Needle and thread
• Ribbon or cotton string
• Loose-leaf green tea

Instructions

1. Measure and cut a strip of muslin or cheesecloth that is 3 inches wide by 6 inches long.

2. Cut a piece of ribbon or cotton string 6 inches long.

3. Fold the strip of fabric in half so that it is a rectangle measuring 3 inches by 3 inches.

4. Thread a needle and sew both sides of the bag closed. Do not sew the very top closed.

5. Turn the bag inside out so that the stitches on the sides are now inside of the bag.

6. Fill the bag with one to two teaspoons of your favorite loose-leaf green tea. One teaspoon is suitable for an 8-10 ounce mug of tea. Use two teaspoons if the mug is 12 ounces or larger.

7. Tie the bag shut with the piece of string.

8. Place the filled tea bag in hot water and let it steep for two to five minutes.

9. Remove the tea bag and let the tea cool before drinking it.

Tips & Warnings

• Muslin may be a better fabric than cheesecloth to use because the cheesecloth has a looser weave and the smaller tea leaves and pieces of leaves may slide out of the bag into your drink. If you do use cheesecloth, it may be helpful to cut a strip of fabric that is 6 inches wide by 12 inches long and fold it in half twice to get the 3-inch-by-3-inch rectangle before sewing the sides closed.

• Make sure the water is not boiling hot by removing it from the heat just before it boils. If you use boiling water, you risk burning the tea, which will make it bitter.

Resources

• Green Tea