White, green and oolong teas can be brewed a second time, according to experts speaking to Better Homes & Gardens.
Kelly Amoroso, a senior tea and coffee buyer at Whole Foods Market, said the first brew usually has the strongest taste. She said the type of tea, steeping time and water temperature all affect the flavour, and a second cup might have a different or milder taste.
Teas with large, coarse leaves or strong flavours work best for reusing, rather than finely chopped leaves. A second brew can be steeped for longer to extract more flavour, but black tea usually lacks enough taste or colour for a second use.
A second cup will also have significantly lower caffeine and antioxidant levels.
Storing for a second cup
Experts advise keeping a used tea bag moist in a small glass or bowl with a little water, as a dry bag can grow mould. It can be stored in the refrigerator for a maximum of 24 hours and should be thrown away if unused after that.
Cooking, skincare and compost
Used tea leaves can be added to marinades, salad dressings or alcohol for cocktails. They can also be mixed with honey to make a gentle face or body scrub, which should be rubbed on and rinsed off. Chilled tea bags can reduce eye puffiness or soothe sunburn.
Dried tea bags can act as natural odour absorbers in shoes.
Tea leaves are organic and can be used as a natural fertiliser for acid-loving plants. UNIAN previously reported that tea leaves improve soil fertility, provide nutrients and attract earthworms.
While the leaves can be composted, the bag material matters. Nylon bags must be thrown away. Plant-based bags can be composted after removing the metal staple.
