What makes loose leaf tea so special?
Loose leaf teas are the highest quality, most natural form of tea available. Better quality tea = better tasting tea. In the world of tea, that means loose leaf.
Why is loose leaf better than tea bags? Let’s take a look at how they compare...
WHY TEA LOVERS CHOOSE LOOSE LEAF
TEA BAGS
Tea bags are a relatively new development in tea. They are filled with the lowest quality tea leaves that are heavily processed and are often grown using chemicals and pesticides for mass production.
The tea leaves are crushed up into dusty fannings by machinery using the CTC method, which causes them to go stale faster and lose much of their antioxidants, essential oils, and natural flavor in processing.
The tea bags restrict the crushed leaves so they can’t infuse to their full potential for flavor as well as nutrients. When infused, they release more tannins, giving them more astringency and bitterness, which is why they’re often blended with artificial flavors. Not to mention that some tea bags contain microplastics —yikes!
The tea leaves are crushed up into dusty fannings by machinery using the CTC method, which causes them to go stale faster and lose much of their antioxidants, essential oils, and natural flavor in processing.
The tea bags restrict the crushed leaves so they can’t infuse to their full potential for flavor as well as nutrients. When infused, they release more tannins, giving them more astringency and bitterness, which is why they’re often blended with artificial flavors. Not to mention that some tea bags contain microplastics —yikes!
LOOSE LEAF
Loose leaf tea has been the gold standard since the first tea leaves were steeped thousands of years ago. Loose leaf tea is made up of whole or large pieces that are less processed, stay fresh longer, and retain their aromatic oils better, giving them rich and complex flavors.
With an increasing demand for top quality tea, there’s a growing movement toward a return to the origin of tea in its natural form: loose leaf.
If you’re already a loose leaf tea lover, you don’t need convincing of it’s superior quality. But you may be surprised to learn more about what makes loose leaf tea so special. Here are our top 5 reasons for choosing loose leaf tea over tea bags:
With an increasing demand for top quality tea, there’s a growing movement toward a return to the origin of tea in its natural form: loose leaf.
If you’re already a loose leaf tea lover, you don’t need convincing of it’s superior quality. But you may be surprised to learn more about what makes loose leaf tea so special. Here are our top 5 reasons for choosing loose leaf tea over tea bags:
1. CONVENIENCE
Tea preparation and clean up is easy with simple equipment like a mesh infuser, the french press or a teapot with built-in strainer. With many brewing options available, steeping loose leaf tea is more convenient than ever.
2. QUALITY
Loose leaves retain their freshness longer than tea fannings (the broken pieces of the lowest grade tea that fill commercial tea bags). They release more aroma and flavor when given ample space to infuse, giving you a superior, full sensory experience with each cup.
3. FLAVOR
Loose leaves offer more complex, full flavors as they retain their aromatic oils better than crushed up tea bag leaves. With ample space to infuse, loose leaves release their flavors slowly, making them less bitter and allowing them to remain strong, with new flavors appearing after multiple infusions.
4. VALUE
A cup of tea only requires a small amount of loose leaf (~2 grams or 0.07 ounces). Unlike single use tea bags, loose leaf teas provide multiple infusions, significantly lowering the cost per cup. A common misconception is that loose leaf tea is expensive when in fact, its price per cup makes it comparable to tea bag prices, but with a much higher quality and overall value.
5. SUSTAINABILITY
Loose leaves are biodegradable, compostable, and create less waste. Unlike commercial black tea which is processed with industrial machinery for the mass production of black tea bags, loose leaf teas are wholly or partially hand made.
THE EASY CHOICE FOR TEA LOVERS
Every problem with tea bags can be solved with loose leaf teas and the good news is, beyond the comparable pricing to tea bags, loose leaf is sustainably grown, filled with nutrients, capable of multiple infusions, and hand crafted for unique flavors that give you the full experience of tea. Loose leaf tea is a no-brainer for true tea lovers looking for exciting flavors and premium quality in every cup.
JOIN OUR CLUB OF TEA LOVERS
We curate the world's best single origin tea and deliver it to your door every month. Travel the world with us - one cup at a time.