Tea is essentially a herb that has been dried. It comes back to life when infused with boiling water. The tea leaves swell and produce the decadent aroma, hue, and taste that is distinctive of its origin and blend. The leaves might be loose-leaf or contained in teabags. But, is one better than the other?

What’s the difference between Loose-leaf tea and Tea Bags?

• Premium loose leaf tea is sun-dried and stored in canisters, tea caddies, or tin tea boxes. Teabags are predominantly freeze-dried and packaged into portion-sized bags to be stored.
• The size of the leaves in the loose-leaf variety is larger than that found in teabags. 
• Loose tea leaves are whole and unbroken. Teabags contain broken and smaller tea leaves.
• Unbroken tea leaves as they are found in loose leaf tea are more fragrant and are rich in antioxidants and essential oils. Teabags, with their crushed and broken tea leaves, are less flavorful, less fragrant, and lose the essential oils that tea leaves contain.
• When brewing tea with loose leaves, the leaves swell as they circulate through the boiling water. This produces the maximum amount of color, fragrance, and flavor that can be extracted from the leaves. Teabags, since they are contained don’t allow this free movement and swelling of the leaves. 
• Teabags are convenient and portable. They don’t leave residue that needs to be cleaned up, are easy to use, and easy to dispose of.

The Science (and Commerce) behind Loose leaf vs Tea Bags

Both loose leaf tea and tea bags have the same components which are found in all tea leaves. However, they react differently when exposed to heat (boiling water) because of the space they have to expand and swell as they infuse. Loose-leaf tea leaves allow the hot water to flow more freely and help extract the minerals, nutrients, aroma, and flavors from the leaves.

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Premium tea brands over the years have struggled to balance the convenience of a teabag and the quality of the brew they produce. The size and shape of the tea bags along with the grade of tea leaves used in them has changed over the years. Premium tea brands are using high-quality grades of tea with complex and sophisticated flavor and aroma profiles for their teabags. Also, pyramid-shaped tea bags are being used so that the maximum amount of flavor and aroma can be extracted from the leaves. The pyramid shape of the tea bags leaves more room for the leaves to expand and swell, thereby producing a more flavorful, nuanced, and healthy brew.

Variety vs Tradition

Loose leaf tea, unless they are Breakfast blends, are from very specific regions of the world, sometimes from very specific portions of a particular tea estate. This specificity is crucial because it defines the flavor, hue, aroma, and quality which are distinctive to each region, each estate, sometimes even the season that it was harvested in. Each region, estate, the processing procedure is distinctly known for its flavors and aromas. For example, Ceylon Black Tea is bold and strong while Darjeeling Black Tea is mild and fragrant. Moreover, the first flush Darjeeling tea is floral in fragrance while the second flush is spicier. The range of flavors and aromas that loose leaf tea provides is anything but repetitive. It's wide, intricate, deep, and nourishing to both the mind and body.

What is the difference between Packaged and Garden Fresh Loose Leaf Tea?

Packaged loose tea leaves found in grocery stores are usually produced and processed through the machine-driven Crush-Tear-Curl (CTC) method. Though they create brews that are stronger and more flavorful than teabags, these tea leaves aren’t fresh. Often packaged in bleached paper materials, the chemicals change and affect both the taste and aroma of the tea leaves. These tea leaves are machine-produced in large volumes and stored for considerable periods of time, sometimes a whole year, in warehouses, before they are distributed.

Garden fresh loose leaf teas sold by premium tea brands online are handpicked, hand-sorted, and hand processed. They are made up of high-quality grade tea leaves that expand and swell fully when in contact with boiling water. Garden fresh loose leaf teas are packaged in recyclable materials that allow the leaves to breathe and stay fresh and flavorsome. They are hand-picked with love and care seasonally and are produced in small quantities. Premium tea brands like Teakruthi ensure that the tea leaves are delivered within 2-3 weeks of them being harvested so that it is fresh when it reaches you.

Top Tea Brands with Premium Loose-leaf and Tea Bags

Once you know what your preference is, you can make the switch to loose leaf tea. Here are a few must-try teas that offer tea bags and loose leaf teas to make your transition as smooth and flavorful as possible.

• Teakruthi

Whether it is tisanes, infusions, or breakfast blend loose leaf tea you are looking for, black, white, or green, Teakruthi has it all. Try the Scottish Legacy, the 2020 Silver medal winner at the Australian Tea Masters Gold Leaf Awards, for a strong, sweet, and fragrant brew. 

• Vahdam Teas

Freshly handpicked and delivered straight to your doorsteps, Vahdam Teas intend to remove the involvement of middlemen like tea auctioneers, suppliers, and retailers to return the revenue to the farmers. Try their loose-leaf Double Spice Masala Chai Tea for a spicy, strong pick-me-up.

• Harney & Sons

Harney & Sons offers more than 300 different varieties of tea, making them one of the largest importers of loose leaf tea from around the world. Their loose leaf flavored Oolong teas are particularly sought after by tea lovers. Try the Pomegranate Oolong for the silky smoothness of Oolong combined with the tangy sparkle of the pomegranate.

• Twinings

Lady Grey, a trademark blend crafted exclusively for and by Twinings, is a milder, softer, more elegant version of the full-bodied Earl Grey. This loose-leaf blend combines the strong black teas from China and Central Africa with citrusy flavors of lemon peel and orange zest. The combination produces a smooth, fresh, and light brew.

About the author

Neha Sen

Contributing author

Born in Assam, India, Neha spent her weekends growing up drinking endless cups of tea with her grandmother who read Ruskin Bond to her in between sips. Voted ‘least likely to dance at a party.’ A lifelong admirer of all things tea and literature. The day starts with a cup of tea and ends, well… a cup of tea, and a book.

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