Tazo Zen Green Tea (20ct filterbags)

Tazo's standard rectangular filterbags are paper heat-sealed with polypropylene. Hernandez et al. 2019 (Environ. Sci. Technol., McGill) measured ~11.6 billion microplastic and ~3.1 billion nanoplastic particles released per cup from plastic-containing tea bags brewed at 95 °C. Banaei et al. 2024 (Chemosphere, UAB Barcelona) confirmed polypropylene bags shed ~1.2 billion particles per mL and demonstrated particle uptake by human intestinal cells in vitro. There is no established safe exposure threshold for chronic ingestion of polypropylene nanoplastics from food contact materials.

'Natural flavors' is a regulatory catch-all (FDA 21 CFR 101.22) that can include dozens of undisclosed compounds, processing aids, and solvents. Adds nothing of nutritional value and erodes ingredient transparency.

Lemongrass contributes citral and geraniol with mild antimicrobial and digestive-soothing effects.

Spearmint contributes carvone and rosmarinic acid; aromatic, low tannin, and complements the green tea base.

Lemon verbena contributes verbascoside and citral. Small clinical evidence for antioxidant status improvement; pleasant aroma.

Green tea is rich in EGCG and other catechins, plus L-theanine (~25 mg per cup) which pairs with caffeine to produce calm focus. Multiple meta-analyses (Hartley et al. 2013; Yi 2017) show modest cardiovascular and metabolic benefits at habitual intake.