Which is Best?
Tea is a beloved beverage around the world, and there are many different ways to enjoy it. One of the most common debates among tea enthusiasts is whether tea bags or loose leaf tea is better. In this blog post, we'll explore the differences between the two and help you decide which one is right for you.
Tea Bags
Tea bags are the most common way people consume tea. They are convenient, easy to use, and widely available in supermarkets and convenience stores. Tea bags are typically made from paper or silk and contain pre-measured portions of tea leaves.
The main advantage of tea bags is their convenience. They're easy to use, and you don't need any additional tools like a tea strainer or infuser. Simply place the tea bag in a cup, add hot water, and let it steep for a few minutes. Tea bags also tend to be less messy than loose leaf tea, as the tea leaves are contained within the bag.
However, there are some downsides to tea bags. Firstly, the tea leaves used in tea bags are often lower quality than those used in loose leaf tea. This is because tea bags are often filled with broken leaves and dust, which can result in a lower quality cup of tea. Additionally, tea bags can be environmentally unfriendly as they are often made from non-recyclable materials.
Tea bags are most commonly made of bleached paper, plastic, or nylon, and they are sealed with glue and other chemicals. When exposed to hot water, plastic and nylon tea bags can release 11 billion microplastics in a single serving cup of tea.
Loose Leaf Tea
Loose leaf tea is made up of whole tea leaves and can be brewed in a variety of ways. It requires a tea strainer or infuser to separate the leaves from the water once they've steeped. Loose leaf tea is often considered to be of higher quality than tea bags, as the whole leaves tend to produce a better flavour.
One of the main advantages of loose leaf tea is the quality of the tea itself. It is made up of whole leaves, which means it tends to be fresher and higher quality than tea bag tea. Loose leaf also allows for more customisation, as you can adjust the amount of tea you use, the water temperature, and the steeping time to create the perfect cup of tea. You can even blend your own infusions!
Another advantage of loose leaf tea is that it's often more environmentally friendly than tea bags. Many loose leaf teas come in reusable tins or bags, and the leaves themselves can often be composted or reused in other ways.
The only downside of loose leaf tea is the additional equipment and preparation required. Although making a cup of tea is a unique experience and having good quality tools makes the process a whole lot more fun.
In Conclusion
In the end, whether you prefer tea bags or loose leaf tea comes down to personal preference. If you're looking for convenience and ease of use, tea bags are a great option. But if you're looking for higher quality and a more customisable cup of tea, loose leaf tea is the way to go.
Regardless of which option you choose, it's important to choose high-quality tea to ensure a great cup of tea. And if you're environmentally conscious, look for loose leaf teas that use biodegradable or compostable materials, something that Tea & Leaves offer for all our teas and infusions.
