The Coffee Filter Hack To Craft Your Own Tea Bags

There's nothing like getting crafty in the kitchen — especially when it's to up your beverage game. Tea, the most popular drink in the world besides water, is most commonly brewed by the bag in the U.S. But that doesn't mean the mass-produced pouches are the best way to drink it. While convenient, there's concern that materials used to manufacture non-biodegradable tea bags can leach microplastics into your hot cuppa, according to a 2023 study in the International Journal of Surgery. Switching to loose-leaf tea takes the bag out of the equation altogether, resulting in higher-quality tea. However, you don't have to give up the convenience of steeping a pouch of tea altogether. Turns out, it's easy enough to turn coffee filters into tea bags.

This DIY project allows you to customize unique blends, giving you more control over the strength and flavor of your tea. It also eliminates the hassle of painstakingly cleaning reusable infusers each time you want a cuppa. Besides, the coffee-filter-to-tea-bag transformation works rather well. Since coffee filters are designed for hot water and fine grounds, the homemade bags won't fall apart during the sometimes lengthy process of steeping, nor will loose tea leaves escape into your mug. And, as with coffee, the filters' small holes allow the tea to steep, fully releasing fragrance and flavors. While coffee filters made from cotton or linen can work for this craft, paper ones are best, being compostable and much cheaper. Here's a step-by-step breakdown of the creative process, from folding to sewing (or stapling).

Naturally, turning coffee filters into tea bags isn't as convenient as buying them from the store, but the process is pretty simple. From folding and stapling to cutting and sewing, there are a couple of ways to approach this DIY project.

The easiest and quickest method involves folding a filter into a bag and stapling it shut. Flatten a coffee filter and trim its curved edges to form a rectangle. Next, place loose tea in the center; a bit less than a teaspoon is what's in a standard tea bag, but pre-made blends might come with specific brewing recommendations. Fold the filter in half hot-dog style, then fold the long sides back toward the middle. Pinch the ends together and fold the top down to seal the tea inside, then staple the pouch shut.

If you're feeling more creative, you can try your hand at transforming coffee filters into cute-shaped tea bags. Start by flattening two filters, then trace the shape of your choice on both pieces. Cut the excess edges of the filters away, then begin stitching the filters together. Before sewing the pouch shut, add your loose tea. Once it's fully stitched, trim away the tracing.

If tea bags truly aren't your style, the French press, a savvy tool for excellent coffee, is just as effective for brewing tea. Still, trying your hand at making your own tea bags out of coffee filters can be a fun, rewarding experience.