Loose Tea vs Tea Bags
Many people automatically assume that loose tea is “better” than tea in tea bags. In the U.S., this assumption is based in part on consumers’ familiarity with supermarket-grade tea bags, which are made with lower-quality tea. While the very best teas are sold—and brewed—as loose tea, there are many good teas that come in tea bags. Somethings to keep in mind when deciding between a loose tea or a bagged tea.
- The English, use tea bags for 87% of the tea they drink. So you should not be so quick in dismissing all bagged tea as being inferior to loose tea.
- The quality of the tea leaf is the most important factor in determining the quality of the brewed tea. A fine tea in a tea bag will make a much better cup than a mediocre loose tea.
- The amount of tea in the tea bag must be sufficient to ensure a good cup: at least two grams in a tagged tea bag for a six-ounce cup; two and half grams in an English-style tea bag for an eight ounce mug.
- Brewing with loose tea provides greater contact between the leaf surface and the hot water, allowing for the release of more subtle flavors
- Tea bags use smaller sizes or “grades” of tea. The smaller grades infuse more quickly, counteracting the filtering effect of the tea bag. (In tea production, “grade” refers to size, not quality.)
- Hearty breakfast blends, such as English Breakfast or Irish Breakfast take very well to tea bags, maintaining all their characteristic flavor.
- Teas with many subtle flavors, such as a Special Rare-Single Estate Darjeeling, are best brewed as loose tea. There is also more time for the extra steps involved in brewing loose tea in a relaxed afternoon or evening, as well as more time to savor the complex flavor.
- There are many more rare and exotic teas available in loose form.
- To take advantage of the convenience of tea bags and enjoy the variety of loose teas available use filters such as, Telia tea filters, which can be purchased to fit both cups and pots.
Brewing Tea | Iced Tea | Tea Bags vs. Loose Tea | Tea Pots