How to Make Your Own Tea Bags (from coffee filters, muslin, or cheesecloth)

DIY tea bags are great to know how to make. Here, we have two versions of tea bags: one is the ball method, which is slightly simpler. The other looks more like a classic tea bag. You’ll be surprised at how easily you can learn how to make tea bags!

Make your own tea bags with coffee filters!

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These work perfectly for our homemade Fresh Ginger Tea Recipe, favorite loose leaf teas, and even better as a gift! Just make a few of these, add a few tags, and you’ve got a perfect birthday present, housewarming gift, or care package!

While this tutorial calls for coffee filters, muslin or cheesecloth can also be used very easily in place of the coffee filters. You can usually find muslin or cheesecloth in your kitchen department near the kitchen gadgets.

How to make Tea Bags with coffee filters

Materials:

• coffee filters
• stapler with staples
• string or twine (I love using bakers twine!)
• loose leaf tea (personal favorite is Harney & Sons Cinnamon Spice!)

Directions:

1. Cut the coffee filter into a rectangle.
2. Put your tea into the center (base your amount off of what you want in your tea bag…I read the recommended amount on my tea and use that amount).
3. Fold the sides over into the middle.
4. Set your finger in the center and then fold the two sides up onto each other.
5. Fold the top down and staple. Put a piece of string on before (or after) stapling.

Note: I have had questions about the safety of the staples and string in the tea. 1. The string I use is baker’s twine, intended for food use. You can grab this in the kitchen department at most any store or grocer. The staples are a bit different. I don’t worry much about them because stainless steel is non-toxic. Or…you could try the tea ball technique (below) that eliminates the need for staples entirely.

Why should you not squeeze a tea bag?

All the dredges of your tea are in that bit still in your tea bag. When you squeeze the tea bag you let out all the tannins and create more bitterness.

Can a tea bag be used twice?

Yes, usually it’s okay to use a tea bag twice especially if you let the tea steep longer. The tea will have less strength the second time so letting it steep longer helps offset that.

Should I use boiling water to make tea?

Nope. You want super hot water but NOT boiling. Boiling water scalds your tea leaves and blunts the flavor. Keep it good and hot but not too hot!

Making these for a gift? Try adding little quotes or love notes on the tags. Use special string, create a “sampler” box, or use natural coffee filters for a fun twist!

Coffee Filter DIY Tea Bags

Make your own tea bags with coffee filters!

5 from 3 votes

Print Pin Rate

Prep Time: 2 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 2 minutes minutes

Servings: 1 tea bag

Ingredients

• coffee filters
• stapler with staples
• string
• loose leaf tea

Instructions

• Cut the coffee filter into a rectangle.
• Put your tea into the center (base your amount off of what you want in your tea bag…I read the recommended amount on my tea and use that amount).
• Fold the sides over into the middle.
• Set your finger in the center and then fold the two sides up onto each other.
• Fold the top down and staple.
• Put a piece of string on before (or after) stapling.

Video

How to make tea bags with muslin or cheesecloth:

Materials to make tea bags:

• Cheesecloth or muslin (Easy to find in your kitchen department. Usually near the gadgets.)
• Bakers twine (Easy to find in your kitchen department. Usually near canning supplies and/or cupcake liners)
• Scissors

1. Simply cut your cheesecloth or muslin into squares about 4 inch by 4 inch. Use double pieces if working with an extra fine tea blend. Cut larger squares if making large batches (such as for tea concentrate or cold-brew iced tea).
2. Scoop your loose-leaf tea on to the cheesecloth square. Most tea is about 1 tablespoon per cup but tea drinkers often have their own preference. Use what you like!
3. Now bring the corners of the cloth together and twist the top a couple turns.
4. Tie the twine around to hold the bundle in place. Done–now you know how to make tea bags!

Keep several squares and twine already cut and ready to go. Your tea time will be tastier, faster, and you’ll be pleased with yourself every time you drop one of those bags into your hot water!

A box with cut tea cloths, twine, loose-leaf tea, vanilla coconut sugar, and a personalized mug would make a fantastic gift!