Empty Tea Bags: How to Choose the Right One

You love loose leaf tea but find yourself wishing for the convenience of a tea bag for travel, the office or a thoughtful gift? The empty tea bag is the perfect solution for crafting your own infusions without compromising on the quality of your loose leaf tea. The trick is choosing the right model: material, size, closure, environmental footprint. Here is our complete buying guide to help you make the right choice.

Why use an empty tea bag?

The empty tea bag lets you enjoy the best of both worlds: the superior quality of loose leaf tea (whole leaves, freshness, intact aromas) with the practicality of a classic tea bag. No more tea infuser to clean, no more stray leaves in your cup.

Typical uses:

• At the office: prepare your tea in 30 seconds with no equipment.
• While travelling: a pre-filled bag tucked into your travel pouch.
• As a gift: offer an assortment of loose leaf tea and herbal blends without imposing an infuser.
• For herbal teas and long-infusion teas that call for a generous volume of leaves.

The different types of empty tea bags

Biodegradable paper bag (the most common)

The biodegradable paper tea bag is by far the most widespread model. Made from thin yet sturdy biodegradable paper that holds up beautifully in hot water, it suits every type of infusion. Available with a drawstring or heat-sealable closure (sealed with an iron), it offers an excellent price-to-quality balance. Choose models without chlorine or synthetic glue.

Drawstring bag (the most practical)

The empty tea bag with a drawstring closes manually with a sliding knot or pull string. Ideal for herbal teas with large-leaf plants (verbena, mint, rosemary) that need a generous volume. More convenient than the heat-seal version, which requires an iron.

Corn fibre tea filter (the eco-friendly choice)

Tea filters made from corn fibre or plant cellulose (PLA) are 100% compostable. They are pricier (around 3 to 5 cents per unit) but transparent, letting you watch the leaves unfurl. Ideal for premium whole-leaf teas.

Reusable non-woven fabric bag

The reusable tea bag in cotton or non-woven fabric can be washed and reused 10 to 50 times. The most sustainable solution in the long run, ideal for regular home use. Be sure to rinse thoroughly between uses to avoid lingering flavours.

Heat-sealable disposable bag

The heat-sealable disposable tea bag (sealed with an iron on low heat) creates a watertight closure for single use. A professional format for home blends, ideal if you prepare tea bags in advance to give as gifts.

How to choose the right empty tea bag

Here are 4 criteria for buying your empty tea bags wisely.

1. Size: 6×8 cm for standard black tea or green tea, 8×10 cm for bulky herbal teas (verbena, mint), 10×12 cm for very airy blends.
2. Material: biodegradable paper for everyday use, corn fibre for eco-conscious purists, non-woven fabric for reusability.
3. Closure: drawstring for simplicity, heat-sealing for perfect tightness.
4. Compatibility: check that the bag holds at 100°C without breaking down (some poorly treated fibres can release unwanted compounds).

Size remains the most underestimated criterion. A bag that is too small prevents the leaves from unfurling properly, which reduces aroma extraction. Better to choose a size slightly too large than too tight.

How much tea should you put in an empty bag?

Use roughly 2 grams of loose leaf tea per bag for a 200 ml cup. For very voluminous leaves (verbena, rosemary, mint), 1.5 g is enough. For dense teas (leaf matcha, Pu-erh), 2.5 to 3 g will give a stronger brew.

A handy tip: try a measuring spoon the first few times, then you will quickly find your ideal dose.

How to fill and use an empty tea bag

Step by step:

1. Open the bag by gently pinching the top.
2. Pour in the loose leaf tea using a measuring spoon or small scale.
3. Close with the drawstring or heat-seal.
4. Steep in hot water at the right temperature for the tea (75°C for green, 90°C for black, 95°C for herbal).
5. Infuse for 2 to 5 minutes depending on the type.
6. Remove the bag and savour.

Empty tea bag or tea infuser?

Both have their advantages:

• Tea infuser (ball, stainless steel basket): reusable for life, zero waste, washable, but requires cleaning after each use.
• Empty tea bag: quick to use, disposable or compostable, ideal for travel and the office, slightly more expensive over time.

For regular home use, the infuser remains more economical. For mobility, the empty tea bag is unbeatable.

Our Thés & Traditions empty tea bag

We offer a premium empty tea bag in high-quality biodegradable paper, free from chlorine and synthetic glue, with a built-in drawstring. The 7×8.5 cm format suits every kind of loose leaf tea and herbal blend. Sold in bundles, with care taken at every step of delivery.

Also explore our other tea accessories, from refillable bags to teapots and storage tins.

Eco-friendly tips

If sustainability matters to you, here are a few directions:

• Favour empty tea bags in corn fibre or 100% compostable cellulose.
• Compost used biodegradable bags along with your vegetable peelings.
• Reuse fabric bags (5 to 50 cycles depending on the material).
• Buy loose leaf tea from your local artisan rather than over-packaged industrial sachets.

Frequently asked questions about empty tea bags

How much do empty tea bags cost?

Expect 1 to 3 cents per unit for biodegradable paper in larger packs (200 to 1000 bags), 3 to 8 cents for corn fibre filters, and 50 cents to 2 euros for a fabric reusable tea bag.

Where can you buy empty tea bags?

Specialist tea boutiques (such as Thés & Traditions), organic fine grocers, baking supply websites, or zero-waste shops. Avoid bargain-bin options of questionable origin.

Are all empty bags biodegradable?

No. Many industrial disposable tea bags contain nylon or polypropylene, which are not biodegradable. Always read the composition carefully. A genuine biodegradable paper disposable tea bag is made solely from plant fibres.

Can the same filled bag be infused twice?

Yes, for most whole-leaf teas (green, Oolong, white). The bag can handle 2 to 3 infusions, as the leaves release their aromas gradually. For herbal teas or broken-leaf teas, a single infusion gives the best result.

Which size for which type of tea?

6×8 cm for classic black and green teas, 8×10 cm for voluminous herbal blends (mint, verbena), 10×12 cm for very large flowers (hibiscus, chamomile).

Empty tea bag or tea ball: which to choose?

The bag is more convenient for travel and single use. The tea ball (or basket tea infuser) is more sustainable over time and lets the leaves unfurl more freely. Ideally, keep both at home for different occasions.