When it comes to Tea, we keep it loose!
Teaotaller's very own blend: Caramel Hearts Chai
There are a number of reasons, but they all come back to the quality taste of the tea. Although loose leaf teas and teas in bags (like the supermarket brand tea bags) come from the same plant, there are a few factors that influence the quality, taste and longevity of the final tea.
High quality loose teas are made from the Camellia Sinensis plant’s finest buds, whole tea leaves, large pieces of leaves or a combination of these parts. The time of year and growing conditions will affect the quality of tea you end up with. When all of these factors are taken into consideration, much like a fine wine, the tea will retain its distinctive flavors and characteristics.
In contrast, the tea found in tea bags usually consists of smaller pieces of tea leaves which give a quicker brew, but lack the full flavor of the larger loose leaf teas. Tea bags can also release more tannins than loose teas giving it a harsher flavor.
For the tea lovers that like the convenience of a tea bag, you can purchase paper tea filters for use with loose tea leaves. Like a tea bag, the paper tea filter can contain your tea while steeping eliminating the need for an infuser or strainer.
Loose leaf tea and bagged teas both have expiration dates. Generally, tea will lose flavor after six months and become stale after one year if not stored properly. At Teatotaller, we recommend using a tin or container with an air-tight seal which will keep your loose leaf tea fresher, longer.
Finally, we really love tea so we’ve made it our goal to bring you the finest and best loose leaf teas. Tea bags often contain mixtures of tea, rather than a pure tea that can be consistently enjoyed every time. You can find a variety of delicious flavors like fruits, flowers and spices in our loose teas available on our online store.