All about loose-leaf

There are a number of reasons why we prefer premium loose leaf tea over tea bags, but they all come back to quality. Though loose leaf teas and teas in bags (particularly the commercial supermarket brand tea bags) originate from the same plant, there are a few factors that influence the quality, taste and longevity of the final tea.

Quality

High quality loose teas are made from the Camellia sinensis plant’s finest hand-picked buds, whole tea leaves, large pieces of leaves or a combination of these parts. Our loose leaf teas are always made with larger tea leaves so you can easily see the quality of your final tea blend. 

The time of year and growing conditions greatly affect the quality of tea. When all of these factors are taken into account, much like a fine wine, the tea retains its distinctive flavors and characteristics.

In contrast, the tea found in tea bags usually consist of smaller pieces of tea leaves or tea fannings (also referred to as dusts) which may give a quicker brew, but lack the subtlety and full flavor of the larger loose leaf teas. Tea bags can also release more tannins than loose teas giving a harsher flavor to the tea.

Longevity

Generally tea will start to lose flavor after six months and become stale after one year if not stored properly. Here at Everyone’s Cuppa, we recommend using tea storage tins for loose leaf teas; these storage options have an air-tight seal that will keep your premium tea fresher–longer.

Blending

Loose leaf teas also allow you to blend flavors and different types of tea easily. You can find quite a variety of delicious flavors like fruits, flowers and spices in our loose teas available at Everyone’s Cuppa!