Tea Brines And Marinades
Get the Recipes: Electric Saffron Tea Marinade, V’s Grilling Marinade, Orange Tea Bourbon-Brined Paprika Butter Turkey
If you’re planning on making a brine, it’s common sense to reach for salt, water, and on occasion, sugar. But there’s no reason to use plain water when pre-made tea will do just as well, and impart plenty of flavor besides. By adding tea in with your salt and other spices, you’re able to impart even more flavor into your protein without sacrificing the moist texture that brining is best known for.Tea leaves and pre-steeped tea can also make for an excellent addition in marinades. Just use less liquid when making your tea to ensure a more concentrated liquid. And, it’s worth mentioning that it’s not just meat that will benefit from a tea-based marinade. Chinese tea eggs, which are made by gently cracking the shells of boiled eggs and steeping them in tea, go wonderfully with a nice bowl of ramen or as a twist on your usual morning egg routine.
Repel Those Pesky Pests
Tea is also a great repellent against rodents and other pests you dont want around your house. They hate the smell of peppermint, so you can just reuse that old tea bag you were about to discard and place it strategically around your house.
Ideal locations? Near doors and inside cabinets. If you have peppermint oil, you can add it to the used tea bag to give it that added boost. When it comes to your garden, you can boil the tea bag again to make a weak brew, and water your plants with it. Its organic and it doesnt harm the plants or the animals.
Upgrade Your Facial Routine
If you use a facial steamer as part of your beauty regimen, try adding chamomile tea to your water solution to act as a skin booster.
Pour out a few cups of tea. Keep one to drink and another to wash your face with in the morning!
If you have acne, wash your face with green tea to help reduce the blemishes.
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The Best Natural Bath Product
Planning to go for a relaxing bath after a long tiring day of cleaning? If you are, then take out those old tea bags youve discovered and put them to use!
Since the drink contains natural antioxidants, it can help soothe the skin and give it a better glow.
Tea bags have been discovered to be a great bath product to promote overall skin condition!
Not only that,
Tea contains a relaxing scent that encourages utmost calmness too, bringing your bath experience to a whole other level.
All you need to do is place 2-3 bags into your tub and take a relaxing soak.
Youll surely love how hydrated and moisturized your skin would feel after that bath!
Now that youve got a grasp of the things you can do with those tea bags
Lets now head on to
Twenty Things To Do With Your Used Tea And Coffee
Who ever knew used coffee can soften skin or keep cats off the vegetable patch? We investigate twenty interesting things you can do with your used tea and coffee.
The last thing we wish to promote is giving up of tea and coffee in the name of food miles. A tea and coffee during your working day is a necessity, enjoyment and culture in many a busy work place so we may as well honour them with some extra chores before condemning them to the bin.
For those who add their spent dregs to the compost bin, you can still do so in many of these applications once their mission has been accomplished.
What to do with coffee grounds1. Soften skinExfoliate with a body scrub made of coffee grounds, coconut oil and a little brown sugar. Gently massage it on in the shower, rinse, be soft.
2. Please the flowersUse coffee grounds as mulch for acid-loving plants roses, azaleas, rhododendrons, evergreens, hydrangeas and camellias. They like coffee grounds for the natural acidity and nutrients they add to the soil.
3. Sadden the antsSprinkle coffee grounds around areas of ant infestation to deter them.
4. Deter gastropodsUsed grounds are said to repel snails and slugs, so sprinkle them in problem areas.
5. Simplify fireplace cleaningBefore cleaning the fireplace, sprinkle with dampened used coffee grounds, which will weigh down the ash and thus eliminate clouds of smoke-flavored dust.
13. Quell the cat box smellSprinkle used, dried tea leaves in litter boxes to help reduce the smell.
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Health Benefits Of Tea
Tea has a large range of health benefits that tend to translate into the reuse of bags of tea. Many reuses take advantage of the health-benefiting properties of tea.
Tea contains antioxidants that work against what is essentially your body rusting. It also keeps us young and protects from damage such as pollution. Less-processed teas, such as a white tea instead of a black or green tea, have more beneficial antioxidants.
While it does not really translate into its reuse, it is a notable health benefit that tea has less caffeine than drinks such as coffee with sugar. Most herbal blends of tea have no caffeine at all and other teas have about less than half of what is found in caffeine in coffee counterparts.
The tea most similar to coffee is a chicory root-based tea, like Teeccino, that is known to reduce stress and aid your digestive tract with prebiotics.
Tea has been known to, according to many studies, reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke significantly. Green tea is specifically linked to these reductions, with the reduction to strokes being higher.
Four cups of green tea, or one cup of matcha green tea, is known to get you the maximum benefits. Tea has also been linked to weight loss, though not as strongly, and is sometimes taken in pill form to encourage the shedding of pounds.
Tea can be a very healthy and very convenient way to stay hydrated. If you want a sweet tea, try all-natural flavors like acai berry, pineapple, strawberry, or litchi.
Reuse For A Second Cup
What better way to reuse your tea bag than to re-steep it for a second cup of tea? Theres no reason to toss your used tea bag after just one use. Good, quality organic tea, like our teas at Organic India USA, contain more than enough antioxidants and polyphenols to reap the health benefits, not once but twice!
Once you have finished steeping your first cup of tea, be sure to store the used tea bag properly. If you plan to enjoy your second cup in an hour or so, you can place the tea bag on a saucer. If youre going to make your second cup the next day, place the used tea bag in a tightly covered container and store it in the refrigerator to preserve its flavor and freshness. Steep your tea a bit longer on your second go-around to extract the most goodness from the tea leaves.
Whether you appreciate the hint of caffeine in our Fairtrade Certified Green Tea or you prefer to find deep relaxation and rejuvenation from our Tulsi Aswagandha infusion, be sure to follow the tips above to get the most out of your tea bags.
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Say So Long To Poison Ivy
I am extremely fortunate because poison ivy does not impact me. But my oldest son is not so fortunate. He can barely brush up against it and it will be all over him in no time.
So when you find yourself in this state dont suffer. Instead, get a damp used tea bag and rub it all over your rash. It should clear it up in no time.
Reduce Cat Litter Odors
Good cat litter is expensive, so I add used tea bags and leaves into cheaper brand cat litter. The offensive smells are definitely reduced. Tea leaves can deodorize and are also antimicrobial. It’s a win-win situation for you and your wallet.
Leave windows sparkly clean with tea-soaked cloths.
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Protect Plants From Fungus And Pests
Even aside from compost, tea bags can be useful in your garden. Tea is generally a great fertilizer for plants that need acidic soil, Dump used tea bags or sprinkle used tea leaves around the base of your plants to fertilize the soil and deter garden pests, especially mice. You can also rebrew used bags in a bucket of water and use the resulting weak tea to water your plants and protect them from fungal infections.
Add Flavor To Pasta & Grains
Once youve brewed your cup of tea, you can re-use the bag to flavor other foods. Hang the pre-brewed bags into a pot of water while it comes to a boil to flavor the water, remove use tea bags, then add your pasta, rice, or other grains. Need some delicious ideas to get you started? Try jasmine or chamomile tea with rice, green tea with pasta, Chai or cinnamon spice tea with oatmeal.
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Create Plant Water With Old Tea Bags
Take a bunch of old tea bags, brew them in a pot of water, allow to cool, then water your potted flowers. This leftover tea bag water is weaker than the tea you drink, but contains just enough nutrition to boost blooms. I talked to a lady who has done this for 30 years, and she swears by it for flower blooms!
What To Know About Reusing Tea Bags
The first thing that you should know is that its fine to reuse tea bags. The drawback is that after the first cup, you lose flavor and strength. But if you enjoy strong tea, there is a way to reuse your tea bags.
First of all, youll need to store the tea bag in a moist medium. Once they get dried out, they become a breeding ground for mold and bacteria. So your best bet is to store them in a small shot glass filled with water. That will keep them seeping while they are being stored.
While you can leave them out in your kitchen, I usually put them in the fridge so that there is less chance of bacteria growth. If you think youve got bacteria or mold in your tea bag, the best indicator is smell. If it smells funky, trash it.
A tea bag can be reused one or two times. After that, its spent. Reusing green or white tea works better than darker blends. I usually reuse Orange Pekoe tea bags because I use two bags in one cup: I like strong milk tea in the mornings, with milk, and no sugar.
Once Ive infused a cup, Ill keep the tea bags for my next cup. Then, Ill infuse both bags again with one new tea bag. The resulting second cup of tea is only slightly less strong than my usual cup, but perfect for the afternoons when I dont need too much caffeine.
Reusing tea bags is best reserved for tea drinkers who drink a few cups a day, otherwise keeping the tea bags becomes an issue.
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Bring Life To Your Carpets
We all know that among the things that can make your room stand out are
Regardless of the shape, size, or color, carpets are pretty great at improving the overall design of your house and protecting your floors as well.
However, as time passes by, its common for our carpets to look dull. Not only that, but they can also acquire a weird smell
If you happen to have some unused expired bags on hand, then youre definitely in luck!
You dont have to bother yourself with purchasing an expensive carpet cleaner because
Unused tea bags can clean and freshen up your carpets, bringing life right back to them.
So how do we do it?
- Begin by taking out the leaves from the bag and place them in a bowl with baking soda.
- Mix these two together and sprinkle them on your carpet.
- After 20 minutes, take out your vacuum cleaner and run it across your carpet
And voila! Youve got a fresh-looking carpet without having to work too hard for it
Because the bag contains tannins which are known to be a lightening agent with deodorizing properties, youre able to effectively lighten up your carpets and remove any bad odor.
Amazingly hitting two birds with one stone, right?
Add Some Shine To Your Wooden Floors And Furniture
If you love black tea, make sure you share it with your woodwork. Wooden flooring and furniture tends to collect polish buildup over time, causing it to lose its shine. Tannins, which are biomolecules present in substances like black tea, coffee, and chocolate, help bring out the sheen by removing the buildup.
All you have to do is heat up some hot water and add a few old tea bags of black tea in it. Wait for it to cool down, and use a microfiber cloth to dip into the mixture and wipe your wooden floors or furniture, and voila! Its as good as new.
There are a whole bunch of other items around your home that could do with a rub down with tea as well! You can clean your antique rugs, spruce up your fireplace, and use the old tea bags to wipe off those dirty toilet stains again. The possibili-tea-s are endless !
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Carpet And Rug Cleaner
Tea bags are an excellent rug and carpet cleaner. They will have your rug/carpet smelling clean and natural. To clean your rugs, store used tea bags in water in the fridge.
This will prevent them from going bad. Continue storing until there is enough to cover rugs. Open tea bags and sprinkle on the area. Allow to slightly dry. Vacuum as usual.
Easy Frugal And Unique Uses For Leftover Tea Bags
1.2.20
What better way to kick off the new year than with a post all about easy, unique uses for leftover tea bags?!
I drink more tea in winter than I do any other time of year, so we always have old tea bags being thrown away. Instead of throwing them out, here are some really fun ways to use them.
As usual, we have science based tips for you, so you can be sure you are getting the best and most proven information out there. These arent myths, but actual chemistry based ideas.
I have also tried each one out to make sure they work
Here is the only guide you need for all those tea bags.
Lets get started!
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Cleaning With Used Tea Bags
Did you know that after you enjoy your steaming cup of organic tea, you can put your used tea bag to work cleaning different areas of your home?
The next time you have pots, pans, and baking sheets coated with sticky or greasy food residue, try tossing a few used tea bags into your dirty pots with a cup or two of hot water. Tea is a potent astringent filled with tannins that can cut through grease. Let the dishes soak overnight, and youll be thrilled at how easily they scrub clean the following day.
Tea bags are also very effective for eliminating fingerprints from windows and mirrors. A damp, used tea bag can even clean your eyeglasses. Simply rub the wet tea bag over the surface of the glass, then wipe dry with a clean cloth.
If you have wood flooring or furniture and love black tea, you can use your old black tea bags to add a little shine to your woodwork. Furniture polish can create a waxy buildup that dulls your furniture over time. The tannins in black tea help break down and remove the dullness, leaving behind a nice sheen. To take advantage of the tannins in your black tea, add a few used tea bags to hot water and let them steep until the water cools. Take a soft microfiber cloth, dip it in the cooled water and wipe down your wood furniture and floors.
Reduce Your Ecological Footprint By Reusing Tea Bags
Many people are familiar with the practice of reusing grocery bags. But what about tea bags? According to the Environmental Protection Agency , up to 50% of tea bags are thrown away as waste once they have been used. Not only are these bags wasteful, but they can also contribute to the environments degradation. The most effective way to save money and keep your home clean is to reuse tea bags. They can be prepared by simply combining them with a cup of hot water and a little sugar or milk. Composting old tea bags or donating them to a friend or family member is also a good option. Here are a few simple ways to reduce your environmental footprint while still enjoying good-tasting tea.
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Used Tea Bags For Eyes
With all the antioxidant activity, caffeine, and minerals in tea bags, it can do wonders for the skin under your eyes! It can lighten dark circles, depuff, help the appearance of fine lines, plus make you feel more awake. Keep a few used tea bags in the fridge, take them out when you are ready to use them, then place them under your eye area. Allow them to sit for about 15-20 minutes to get the benefits!