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
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
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
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
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!
LET US KNOW!
Please post any questions or comments you may have in the comments section below!
SUBSCRIBE!
If you enjoyed this post and would like to hear more about the specialty tea industry here in Taiwan, follow us on YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram and please subscribe to our newsletter. Subscribe now and get $5 off your first order!