There’s a debate raging in the tea world. Not a debate between green tea and black tea. Not even between Earl Grey and lapsang souchong!
It’s the eternal loose leaf vs tea bags debate. There are just two methods of preparing tea and each has its proponents. But which is best?
We’re setting out to end the debate once and for all! Here’s our definitive guide to loose leave vs tea bags – how you should drink tea.
How to Drink Tea
People enjoy tea throughout the world, even though it is mainly produced in just a few countries. China, India, Kenya, and Sri Lanka are some of the biggest tea producers in the world.
Some countries have even developed elaborate rituals around tea. For example, Japan has an intricate tea ceremony that can take hours and involves producing different types of tea.
Most of us though, are just looking for a refreshing drink that will give us a lift. Does the way we make tea affect how it tastes?
Loose Leaf vs Tea Bags: What’s the Difference?
In many parts of the world, we’ve grown used to using tea bags. The history of tea bags is interesting. Tea bags developed because of the belief that tea leaves should be taken out of the water after a certain period of time.
Tea bags allow you to do this easily and they keep teapots clean. They were first sent out by a New York tea merchant named Thomas Sullivan. He sent his clients samples of tea in small bags made of silk.
Until this time, there was no loose leaf vs tea bags debate. There was only one option!
The labor-saving invention of the tea bag soon became popular in the US, although it took a while for the UK public to trust it.
The history of loose leaf tea is as long as that of tea itself. When loose leaf tea was the only option, everyone just strained out the leaves using a tea strainer before drinking.
This brings us to an important question: what are the pros and cons in the loose leaf vs tea bags debate?
The Advantages and Disadvantages of Tea Bags
The main advantage of using tea bags is convenience.
They are easy to buy, easy to store, and easy to throw away. It’s even easy to make a cup of tea with them!
There’s no need to worry about how much tea to put in the pot. In fact, there’s no reason even to use a pot if you don’t want to. The only serious tea bag no-no is putting it into boiling water, rather than the other way around.
As with any product marketed for convenience, there are some disadvantages as well. Firstly, the quality of the actual tea inside.
You can’t easily see the tea inside tea bags. This means that they are often filled with low-grade tea. These are known in the tea business as fannings and dust.
This produces quite a strong brew, but it doesn’t have as many of the aromatics that larger particles have. It also releases more tannins during brewing, which produces a more bitter, astringent cup of tea.
Some types of tea bag also suffer from quality issues with the bag itself. Low-quality paper and the presence of staples can affect the taste of the final cup of tea.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Loose Leaf Tea
The main advantage of loose leaf tea is its quality. Loose leaf tea has larger particles, that include a lot more of the healthy properties of tea. They also have a fuller flavor profile, which most tea drinkers find enjoyable.
You can get single-origin loose leaf tea. This allows you to focus on flavor profiles that you really like.
Loose leaf tea is also usually less expensive than tea bags. You are not paying for something that you throw away, and in this way, it’s also kinder to the environment.
Another wonderful quality of loose leaf tea is that it can be used several times. You can get three or four steeps out of many varieties. This makes it even better value for money than tea bags, which can only be used once.
The major disadvantage of loose leaf tea? It’s more time-consuming and labor-intensive to brew. You will need some basic specialist equipment, such as a teapot and strainer.
However, it’s not really that complicated once you get used to it. You can find a great selection of loose leaf tea, along with beautiful tea accessories at https://nmteaco.com/.
The Benefits of Drinking Tea
Tea is a healthy drink. Some of the healthy characteristics of tea include:
- antioxidants
- less caffeine than coffee
- lowers blood pressure
- boosts the immune system
Different teas have different properties. And not all teas have the same qualities. Green tea is especially high in antioxidants.
The best type of tea for you is one that fits with your lifestyle and health goals. Black tea and green tea come from the same plant. They are processed differently though and have different health benefits.
There are also herbal teas on the market. These blends include tea for sleep and tea for energy. They harness the natural power of herbs, fruits, and spices to produce healthy, caffeine-free drinks.
One of the biggest benefits of drinking tea is that it’s absolutely delicious! There are endless varieties on the market, so there is something to suit every palate. No wonder it is the most popular drink in the whole world!
Putting the Loose Leaf vs Tea Bags Debate to Bed!
Time to deliver the verdict on loose leaf vs tea bags. If you’re looking for convenience above all else, tea bags win. But if you’re looking for more flavor, and don’t mind a little work, then loose leaf tea wins every time!
We hope that you’re a dedicated foodie like us, and have really enjoyed this article. Whether you’re looking for recipes, or more food and drink know-how, we’ve got what you need.
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