Loose Leaf Tea
If a good cup of tea for you starts with the teabags you can buy from the grocery store, you are missing out on the true tea experience. There are some excellent teas that come in teabags, but most teas available at the supermarket are of a far less quality than you would find in loose leaf tea.
What is the Difference?
The biggest difference between loose leaf tea and tea from a bag is the size of the tea leaves. The size of the loose leaf tea is what makes a delicious cup of tea. Loose leaf tea has essential oils and chemicals that are the basis for the wonderful flavor of tea. When tea leaves are broken up, the oils may evaporate and leave you with a tea that is tasteless and dull. Typically, teabags are made with the smallest of the broken leaves which are called fannings.
When you purchase loose leaf tea, you are purchasing the whole leaves, or at least the largest pieces of the leaves. Another factor that makes a flavorful tea is the space that the leaves need to swell. When there is water circulation that allows the loose leaf tea to unfurl and expand, it makes the tea so much better than a cramped, tiny teabag.
How Do You Use Loose Leaf Tea?
If you are tea drinker and are looking to add to your tea drinking experience, you can purchase some loose leaf tea and try brewing it on your own. You may be pleasantly surprised at the superior quality tasting tea that is produced. You will be proud to make an iced tea made from loose leaf tea that you can serve to friends and family. They will be begging for the information on how you got your tea to taste so good.
When you purchase loose leaf tea, you will need to learn a few things before getting started. Loose tea is not made the same way as a cup of tea made with a teabag. You will have to learn how to brew your loose leaf tea as well as learn how to strain it.
Loose Leaf Tea - Is It Worth It?
Creating a cup of loose leaf tea may seem like a lot of work, but it is well worth the effort. You would never catch an Englishmen drinking tea from a teabag, nor any other person who thinks of himself as a tea connoisseur. When you shop for loose tea, you will be faced with a myriad of choices that will include different tea grades as well as flavors. The right choices in leaves will mean the perfect cup of tea for you.
Written By The Tea Lady
The Tea Lady carefully tends to The Official Website for Tea and sends an occasional Tea Newsletter to ardent and casual tea lovers around the world.
