Growing up my mom always saved over her tea bags to use again. And again. And maybe just one more time? She got in the habit during college to save money while working three jobs to pay her tuition and expenses. Hard working for sure. We never tossed a bag with out asking if she was done with it first. Well good (cheapskate) habits rub off and I like to save over my tea as well to leach every last drop of flavor out of those leaves. I do it a bit differently though. She always liked straight black tea – no sugar – no milk. I on the other hand prefer mine with both and maybe a dash of vanilla. I use loose leaf earl grey with lavender buds. I set my tea brewing while heating my whole milk and sugar (usually in my Vitamix so it gets frothy and feels like I’m at a coffee shop plus I can do other things while it heats) and strain the leaves through my perfectly sized sieve courtesy of my brother’s scavenging skills-it was getting tossed out at work otherwise. My strained leaves get dumped in a pint or half pint mason jar, filled with water, and stuck in the fridge until next time. It always has at least a day to cold brew in the fridge and most times longer than that. Sometimes I forget it and use new leaves. I just add them to the jar already started. I’ve kept it going for a few weeks or more adding in new leaves every now and then. When it has finally given up it’s last ounce of flavor I toss the leaves and start again. My 2 ounces of tea is going to last me quite some time.
~The Crunchy Cheapskate