Loose leaf tea vs tea bags
August 23, 2022

5 Benefits of Loose Leaf Tea Over Tea Bags

Tea is one of the most popular beverages in the world and there are many different ways to enjoy it. If you're looking for a more traditional tea-drinking experience, loose leaf tea is the way to go. Keep reading to learn about five benefits that loose leaf tea has over tea bags!

1. Loose leaf tea gives better tea quality

Eco-Cha teas dry tea leaves next to a bamboo tea scoop

When it comes to tea, quality matters. And loose leaf tea is generally higher quality than tea used in tea bags. Loose leaf tea is still in its original leaf form — in contrast with the chopped or crumbled leaf material found in tea bags. Whole tea leaves maintain freshness — offering you a more flavorful and aromatic cup of tea.

2. Better control over brewing

Pouring out tea from a teapot

Loose leaf tea provides a more nuanced and complex flavor than tea from a bag. That's because different types of tea leaves release their flavors at different rates. When you brew loose leaf tea, you can control the brewing time to get the perfect balance of flavor for your taste. Like your tea strong? Brew it longer or use more tea. Want a lighter taste? Use less tea or brew for a shorter time. When a tea bag hits the water, most of the flavor comes out immediately, which allows for less control over the taste.

3. Better appreciation

Brewed tea in a cup next to a red teapot and Eco-Cha tea leaves in a bamboo scoop

There's something about the ritual of preparing loose leaf tea that makes the experience more enjoyable. Opening a new bag of tea and listening to the clinking of little nuggets of tea falling into a teapot can instill a feeling of calm and Zen in anyone. When you can see the leaves and buds in all their glory, it's easy to appreciate the craftsmanship that goes into making each cup of tea.

Whether you prepare it Gong Fu style in a teapot or just steep it grandpa style in your favorite mug, you control the tea brewing experience from start to finish. From the moment you open the bag of leaves to the moment you pour your cup, loose leaf tea is simply a more luxurious experience.

4. Multiple steeps

Unlike tea bags, which usually lose most of their flavor after one steeping, loose leaf tea can be reused multiple times. This helps cut down on waste and saves money in the long run.

5. Cleaner, healthier tea

Eco-Cha Charcoal Roasted High Mountain Oolong Tea leaves

Finally, with loose leaf tea, what you see is what you get. You can visually inspect how clean the leaves are and see whether or not there is anything else besides tea in the mix. With most tea bags, it’s hard to see just what is inside. Most use "tea dust", the leftovers and crumbled remains from processing tea leaves. And according to studies, tea bags can release billions of pieces of microplastics so it’s not just tea you’re drinking!

Takeaway

As you can see, there are many benefits for brewing loose leaf tea over tea bags. Don’t get us wrong. You can still get a nice cup of tea using a tea bag and tea bags are quick and convenient to use. But if you’re looking for the best flavor, better control over brewing, better appreciation, multiple steeps and a healthier cup of tea, brewing loose leaf tea is the way to go!

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