Loose Leaf Tea Explained
What is loose leaf tea? Essentially any tea that is not in a teabag is loose leaf tea. All tea come in grades like whole leaf, broken leaf, fannings and dust. Loose leaf tea is normally higher grades like whole leaf grade or broken leaf.
Loose leaf or Tea Bag?
You might be wondering, which is the better choice? The answer is, it depends on what you’re looking for. Tea bags are convenient. You simply choose the one you want, and discard it when you’re done. No need to measure the amount of tea you need, to use a strainer, or to fish out unwanted leftovers. On the other hand there may be some additional steps to brewing loose leaf tea. However, there are also unique benefits. Loose leaf teas carry extra flavour and therefore provide an elevated experience. Rather than being squashed into a bag, there is a larger surface area to the tea leaves. This means more flavour is packed into your drink. You can actively decide on the measurements of your tea. Thus, ensuring a more curated and unique experience for you and others.
Can loose leaf tea be reused?
One of the biggest advantages to loose leaf tea is that you can reuse your leaves, especially the unflavoured ones. They can be resteeped at least two to three times depending on the tea. The flavour could change with each re-steep but that is the exciting part! After all variety is the spice of life! To summarise, although loose leaf tea can be a bit more expensive, it is good value as it can give you more cups of tea and more variation in taste!
Does loose leaf tea expire?
Loose leaf tea does expire… eventually. However, it has a pretty long shelf life. Most teas last an average of 6-12 months, but when packed properly they can last up to 24 months and beyond! Expiration also depends on the kind of tea you have. For example, fruit teas and florals have a shorter shelf life, whereas white teas and green teas can last longer. Pure black teas have the longest shelf life. Even here, it would be safe to mention dry tea leaves don’t expire, any more than dry oregano or pepper. The tea may not be as flavourful after a few years, but it would not cause harm to brew the tea and drink it. The expiration date is a recommendation for best results in terms of flavour, nothing more. The key to preserving the flavours is to control the amount of air, light, and moisture that your tea is subject to. Also keep in mind that certain teas have specific storage requirements. For example, matcha should be kept in the fridge. Be sure to store your loose leaf teas in areas away from other strong aromas, like spices or coffee. It might be tempting, but these smells aren’t good for preserving the unique flavours of your tea.
How much loose leaf should I use for one cup?
Good question! Once again this depends on the type of brew you have. Below are some recommended quantities and steeping times for some generic teas.
● Green tea: 1 Teaspoon - Steep for 2-3 min.
● Black tea: 1 Teaspoon - Steep for 3-4 min.
● White tea: 1 tablespoon - Steep for 3-5 min.
● Oolong tea1 Teaspoon - Steep for 3-4 min.
Happy Brewing
Now that you’ve learned about the many possibilities that come with choosing loose leaf teas, it’s time to shop for some! You can find some of our favourite blends on our website. Looking for some fun ways to experiment with loose leaf tea? Check out our recipe for a Ceylon Green Mojito using loose leaf. Having said that, our plastic free biodegradable pyramid teabags are especially designed to hold and allow whole leaf teas the space to brew to extract maximum flavour. So, whether you choose the convenience of teabags or to enter a state of mindful meditation while brewing our loose leaf teas, you can still enjoy the full flavour of our finest whole leaf teas!
